What went well? 

This week, I did my final remote week at FED. This involved finalizing the curriculum I developed for the GED summer camp program and outlining the activities, assessments, and class schedules that I helped develop throughout the month I was at FED in person. Working remotely was a big change from the past month where my work was much more hands-on and collaborative, but it was also a nice change of pace. I hope to keep in touch with everyone I have met through my time at FED and return someday. 

What could have been done differently? 

Initially, I had also hoped to write a policy toolkit outlining and policy changes that might benefit the organization’s mission. However, upon working at FED and gaining a better understanding of what the organization does, I have adjusted my plan to pivot and better serve its needs. I realized that FED is quite aware of the policies that are in place. In turn, much of what FED does is trying to find ways to help marginalized populations to the fullest extent in spite of policy regulations that may hinder its ability to do so. 

What did I learn about myself when working with others? 

I have learned that working remotely is definitely more difficult than in-person for me. This is something that can be corroborated by my experience last summer, where lacking a set schedule and deadline was something that I struggled with at times. This is more difficult when remote work makes it more difficult to communicate with others. For instance, text response times and general uncertainty about people’s whereabouts and actions can lead to more confusion and less clarity.

What did I learn about leadership? 

I learned that there are some factors that will always be beyond your control, no matter how closely you follow a plan. A good leader must know how to best anticipate changes or barriers and have backup plans to account for challenges so that they can pivot effectively. This ability is built on experience and the process of learning from past experiences. 

What do I want to develop or focus on next? 

I hope that I can learn from the challenges I have faced to better navigate future projects, as challenges will likely arise through those processes. Overall, I believe that putting yourself in uncomfortable positions and being open to the possibility of facing challenging situations is the best way to learn, and in turn, be better equipped to handle other similar scenarios in the future.