It is sad to be leaving an institution that I have been in for four years. Still, I am happy to be officially starting my professional career all thanks to my hard work at Arcadia. I credit the different responsibilities that I held when I was at Arcadia. For four years, I have worked as the Layout Editor for The Compass; a scholarly journal for students across the globe. For two years, I was with the Center for Teaching Learning and Mentorship (CTLM). I have done a lot with these two responsibilities and I’m glad to have had the experience. The experience I had benefited me in interviews. It helped me get a job based on the skills that I have learned.
Within the four years with The Compass, I was able to use technical skills in a professional environment. I was able to contribute to the publishing of a scholarly journal. For the CTLM, I saw several programs start from scratch. I was able to see the Center being built, and I aided in the process. I am passing on roles to keep the work moving forward.
The Compass
The Compass was quite a smooth transition. I knew the new Layout editor from his work at the CTLM. We talk about everything that he might experience working on The Compass. In the Beginning, I remember when I got the job as Layout Editor. I didn’t have anyone who showed me anything. I had to remake templates and start from scratch.
To save time, I created templates that can be used to make future issues. I shared a guide that includes dimensions and a guide to Adobe Indesign. I started the guide, and I know every layout editor after me can add things that come up.
Lastly, when the new issue was ready to be laid out, the new layout editor and I took portions of the edit. We did the beginning edits together. After the first revision, I let go of the issue and he assumed his role as The Compass Layout editor.
Congratulations to Ryan Himenez on this new position and the amazing job he has already done!
I was really happy with how seamless the transition was, and I hope Ryan felt the same. I don’t have to worry because I know that Ryan will continue doing a great job. After four years of laying out The Compass; it was time for me to let go. Of course, the fact that I am not a student contributed to me having to pass down the reins to other students that are very much capable of continuing the work I have been doing and adding unique touches to them.
CTLM
I have tried thinking about things that I may have to leave instructions for other fellows to take on. Most of my projects have staff, faculty, and students that can help new fellows adjust to their new roles and responsibilities. I included a document that new fellows can view for any context or help. I created the Instagram page for the Living Our Values Experience Program and have been the only constant contributor to Instagram. The Love Program has officially tasked someone with taking over the Instagram responsibilities. My next move is to meet with Tessa Wrice and hand over documents, previous graphic templates, and brand guides that I have created and accumulated over the past two years. Like Ryan, I have worked with Tessa in past CTLM projects and have complete confidence that this transition will also be smooth.
Was I a mentor by mistake?
I started writing documents that provided the basics of the roles I played in the CTLM. I never thought of myself as a mentor passing down my projects and information. When I talked to Ryan about The Compass, I shared things that I have done that helped me do my job more effortlessly, and I encouraged him to find ways that would work for him. I realized that this is precisely what mentoring is: working with someone and providing advice on certain things that you have experience in. For the two years, I worked with the CTLM, I have been mentored by the various people I worked with and through the collaborative nature of the CTLM, I was able to truly use many of the things I learned to boost my skills for my future endeavors.
Bits of Advice in the CTLM
The CTLM allowed me to combine my creative energy and logistical thinking to create campaigns and content that others can enjoy. Calmingly, I knowing that when I leave nothing will be falling apart. Knowing, I did my best to get any project I’m working on ready for my official departure makes me confident in my departure. Through this process of passing down my projects, I have been able to truly step back and see the hard work that I contributed to the projects and everyone's hard work making and maintaining the CTLM.
I am not yet on the outside of the hard work being done, but with one foot already out the door, I have a new perspective on the projects. I can begin looking back on the advice that I received from colleagues and the advice that I have given. It isn’t until now that I realized that I have played the mentee role and the mentor role all along. I received advice and instructions on how things should be done. In return, I provided my insights on things and I helped new fellows get adapted to projects, like the Love Program.
While I didn’t comprehend that the things I was doing were in the role of a mentor, I would not say that I was a mentor by mistake. The CTLM gears towards collaborative work that borders on mentoring. The Center has a mentoring element that—while very much present—I didn’t notice happening while I was doing this great work. I cannot wait to see how the CTLM continues. Even though I won't be on the backend of these amazing projects of the CTLM, I will see the CTLM continue to grow and elevate.
You can check out some of the projects that I have been a part of these past years below:
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