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Act 4: Supporting the Seed that Got Me Here

So have you ever considered a career in public service?  I asked this question to students over and over this past Thursday, when I joined the executive director of City Hall Fellows at a non-profit career fair at Stanford. We had an exhibitor table there, hoping to get students to consider CHF as one of their post-graduation options.

Here was my 30-second speech so I can fill you in as well: City Hall Fellows is a fellowship program designed to help you understand how local government operates. You're placed in a full time job with City and County of San Francisco for one year. This is coupled with an educational component as well. Each week, you have a half-day seminar, where you meet with local leaders, tour different city operations, and learn more in-depth about specific communities.

Most students were politely interested, took a brochure, and walked away. A few talked to me more since I was wearing a sticker that said "CHF Alum". They asked about my experience, and what possibilities there were for people afterwards. I told them what I could. Many people stay on with the City, others go on to law school, business school, or public policy school. One of the men from my class is now running for school board. Me... I'm "wonderemployed".

Okay, I didn't say that last part. I told them I had a great experience, which I did. I told them it was a great jump start for my career, which it absolutely was. I struggled to talk about myself though, because even though I knew I had learned many things since then, I couldn't help feel that not much had changed since was in their shoes as a college senior, unsure about what would come next.

Since Thursday, I've been thinking more about it and how I HAVE changed since 2008. When I was a senior, I was ready for change and faced it fearlessly. I accepted the City Hall Fellows position without thinking twice. I moved from Oregon, my only home, to San Francisco, without knowing anyone. It was hard, but I didn't turn back because I felt there was no other place to be. I was oh-so-innocent then. I thought $500 was expensive for rent (ha!). As I was reminded today talking to some girlfriends, I didn’t wear makeup, or drink alcohol back then either. I was itching to come out of my shell, yet didn’t even know it. Now, five years later, I may not have it all figured out, but I feel more like myself than ever. No longer so fearless, but finally rooted. I have a husband to love and support me, friends I can trust with anything, favorite places to go and go again-- I've found my home and my community. Whatever changes await me will be against a familiar background of people and places that already know my story. I know now that it is within this safety that I can best thrive. I am not a wanderer, though I'm so glad that five years ago, I thought I could be.

I am incredibly grateful to City Hall Fellows and the people I met through that experience for helping me get to this place. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to include tabling at this career fair in my Wonderemployment  "Acts of Service", but I think giving back to the people and places that helped form us is something to celebrate. City Hall Fellows isn’t right for everyone, but I sincerely hope that all those seniors find their opportunity, the one that leads them a little bit closer to home, whatever that might mean to them.

San Francisco City Hall, 2010
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