When I was selected for Challenge Detroit, I found out my host company was going to be Edward C. Levy, headquartered in Dearborn. I had never heard of them before until finding out I was interviewing with them on the interview trip. After my interview I talked to Alyssa Brown and Courtney McCarty who were the year three fellows and currently still working at Levy. Both of them spoke very highly of the company and what it was like being a part of Challenge Detroit and working for Levy. Levy also had fellows in year one (Sam Brennan) and year two (Sarah Somes). Everyone former Challenge Detroit Fellow still works at Levy, and has been very helpful to myself and current year 4 fellow Rory Lincoln.

Having this group of Challenge Detroiters around on an everyday basis makes it very easy to find people to reach out to about Challenge Detroit, Levy and living in Detroit. Levy, also has many different areas in which they operate, and we are spread out amongst them. Having this smaller group of fellows makes it easier to talk about the different areas of the company in which we work and understand our roles throughout the company and what each department does.

We recently started having Challenge Chow (a working title) in the Levy cafeteria, where we all eat lunch together and discuss anything from work, challenge or things going on in our personal lives. It is a fantastic way to break up the day and to have any questions answered by the former fellows who have already gone through the challenge year, and have at least a year of experience at Levy.

Having Rory and all of the Challenge Detroit alumni around have been very beneficial for adapting to a new city and new job. The have helped make these new surrounding very welcoming and enjoyable. I’m looking forward to more Challenge Chow’s in the future and building on to the impact that both Challenge Detroit has had on Levy, and that Levy has had on Challenge Detroit.