by Denise

The first couple of days are always the slowest. Time is spent setting up, making the office your own and chatting up seasoned coworkers who are probably laughing on the inside that the new girl doesn’t know what she’s gotten into.

Although I’ve been involved with The Rapidian since before it was named, I haven’t had a great sense of urgency, being two time zones away. After today’s 9 a.m. steering meeting, I’m starting to understand just how much needs to be done before the launch. Video tutorials, resource pages, structure and polish… and, of course, preferably all interactive. With various committees already in place and several meetings a week, we’re very lucky to have a group that doesn’t merely generate tasks but actually delegates and completes!

I’ve now been in Grand Rapids, MI for four days. As a West Coast girl, I’m battling home sickness for Portland while also becoming reacquainted with Midwest friendliness and generosity. This is a different big city with a small town feel. Ultimately, what prompted my 2,000 mile move comes down to the power of the workplace.

In 2008, I came up with a work guideline for myself.

I want to work at a place where personal development is just as important as professional development. Where part of my take-home is satisfaction because let’s face it: No matter what people say, when you devote that much time to one thing, work becomes an integral part of your identity.

There are still another 361 days for things to unfold, so we’ll see how it all goes. Having only recently escaped a “who do you think you are” workplace, it can be a bit harrowing to walk into GRCMC’s easygoing approach: Do what you want, but we expect a lot of you. Well, bottoms up! Rapidian Year One, here we come!