Four weeks have passed since I moved from Summit, New Jersey to Downtown Detroit and into the Millender Center. I had less than two days to move into my apartment before attending my first event as a Challenge Detroit Fellow and it has been non-stop since. Quickly following my first night alone in my one-bedroom apartment on the 20^th floor was a week long “boot-camp” with Challenge Detroit. As a group of 32 fellows, we toured our new home, gave presentations, listened to many different voices from the Detroit community, learned new ways to creatively navigate problem solving and implement change, and successfully pulled every single one of us over a 12 foot wall. We spent all day, everyday together for a week. Starting new jobs with the various host companies participating in this year’s program seemed secondary. In reality, it is just as primary as our work with the nonprofits Challenge Detroit partners with during Friday Challenge Days.

My host company is Chrysler and although my job responsibilities are still in flux, they are actively getting to know my skills, professional goals, and personality. The men and women in my office are incredible. I can’t stress enough how much I look forward to my seven-minute walk to work each morning. To just say my office is beautiful is an understatement. The Great Lakes Business Center is located in the old Dime Building, now known as Chrysler House, and our 22^nd floor office reminds me of Mad Men. Each day I try to absorb as much as possible about this domestic corporation because, ironically enough, cars are a foreign market to me.

Monthly sales close was my first day with Chrysler. And for anyone who doesn’t know what that means, it’s okay; I didn’t either. It is typically held the last business day of the month where we (the Great Lakes Business Center) watch as the final numbers during this selling month climb. It is chaos in its most organized form. It is a fourteen-hour workday. It is amazing. My first day with Chrysler in the Great Lakes Business Center was amazing. I went home late that night knowing my career was in good hands with my new host company and that there is so much I am looking forward to learning and contributing to this year.

I have experienced so much change in four weeks, and the encouragement I get from my bosses, coworkers, friends and family is really helping me adjust. I’m lucky to have a network here and a solid network supporting me from New Jersey and New York. I aspire to have a fabulous year living in Detroit. I will keep you updated on what’s next.