Last May I was finishing up my senior year, packing up my dorm room at UNC for the last time, and still figuring out what my next step would be. In the midst of exams, I also visited Detroit for the first time for the Challenge Detroit interview trip. Yes, the FIRST time. I truly had never been to Detroit, let alone the state of Michigan until then. I remember instantly falling in love with Detroit, its rich history and its people. So when I found out I was given the opportunity to join the second class of Challenge Detroit fellows, I was thrilled to begin my next life chapter in the D. As someone who has moved around quite a bit, I know it can be hard to move to a new city, but if there is one piece of advice I always tell people, it is to explore- the world is your oyster. My friends will tell you that my mantra is “You’re not growing if you’re comfortable.” Often times it’s easy to be with people you’ve always been around (which isn’t a bad thing!) But by moving to a new place and exploring new things you learn so much about yourself. As I look back on where I was last year having just finished college and still contemplating how to effectively utilize the degree that I had just worked 4 long hard years to obtain, I realize that I have grown so much- Probably just as much as being in college.

Sure I’ve learned and acquired tangible skills at my job and within Challenge Detroit on the whole, but the intangibles have also been pivotal in my growth and evolution. I’ve learned how important it is to grow and maintain relationships with people. Building your network is key. It is so important to be a sponge, learn from other people around you, and experience as much as possible. I am so pleased to have mentors and individuals that I look up to at my job and the opportunity to meet so many passionate and open-minded people through challenge Detroit and my other community involvement. It sounds cliché, but life is beautiful when you truly sit back, smell the roses, and realize what’s truly important in life. Years from now you probably won’t remember As uncomfortable as it may have been to move away from my friends and family to move to a state I’d only been to once before, moving here and joining Challenge Detroit was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Detroit and its people have taught me the importance of living life, being the best person you can be, and learning to be resilient in any situation.