Going into my CAPS experience, I already knew I felt most comfortable working independently. I prefer assignments where I can take total control and responsibility. In group projects I can get frustrated by differing opinions and work paces. I love the groups I’m a part of, but I often take up projects that allow me to work at my own speed. However, I realized that I have been underestimating the power of a team.

I always saw myself working in a position where I didn’t need to work directly alongside others. My experience at Concordia Place, my placement site, gave me a glimpse into the joys of team projects. I initially requested tasks that I could work on at home without anyone else’s help. While this gave me lots to work on I also felt lonely and directionless. My assignments slowly started losing meaning and it became harder to work at my usual pace. When I physically came into work, I felt recharged. I’m sure the change in environment helped my drive, but I felt most excited to work after I talked with my supervisor or one of my coworkers about my job. In past work experiences, I’ve had a hard time being social at the workplace because I’m so focused on my job. However, at Concordia Place, I found that allowing myself to open up to others gave the organization more meaning. By recognizing the individuals who make up the organization rather than just the overall work of the group, I felt closer to the mission of Concordia Place and to my own work.

Something I don’t think I realized before my CAPS experience is the importance of an organization’s composition. I assumed I only needed to consider what cause I wanted to work for in the future. After Concordia Place, I know I need to consider the kind of people who work at the organization. If I feel inspired by the passion of others, I want to work side by side with individuals who genuinely care about the mission statement. I also know that I need to make an effort to know the people beside me. Since I hope to work on bigger-picture projects, I most likely won’t be in close contact with those who seek the services of the nonprofit. Relationships are always going to be more meaningful than a job description or a mission statement, so I need to invest in the relationships I make at work. I hope I can grow with my coworkers and develop a greater appreciation for the work I’m doing.
I feel confident about my future knowing that I can quickly adapt to a new work environment and get to know strangers in a relatively short period of time. I feel incredibly grateful for my internship position at CAPS because it showed me how much I relied on my community for support. Even though I enjoy working independently at school, I feel more fulfilled when I make personal connections with the organization. I might need alone time every so often, but regular interactions with coworkers brings me much more joy.