How I Found My Voice and a Company That Values My Talent
Written by Maddie Welch
One of the happiest days of my collegiate experience was a random day during my first semester of freshman year. My advisor had communicated to me that if I played my cards correctly, I could graduate at least a semester early. I was ecstatic to know my hard work before college would pay off and help me save a few coins, but I wasn’t prepared for my life to shoot out of a canyon into adulthood and find the power behind my voice.
After finding out this information, I was strategic about what classes I took and how many I needed to graduate early, averaging 5-6 classes a semester while balancing my part-time job as a server. I started to get involved on my campus and got involved in the Multicultural and Leadership Development Center that enhanced my leadership skills, social justice knowledge, cultural awareness, emotional and mental awareness, and professional skills. This center brought me an opportunity to be unapologetically me and an unapologetic black woman while providing a space to use my words and find my power to voice my opinions creatively. As I got more involved and started leading programs, I also was presented with more opportunities to speak my poetry and give spoken word at events or submit articles and essays for different organizations on campus. Although I loved using my words to speak and talk about the things I deemed important, I grew insecure about finding a job where I would enjoy the writing I’m doing while having an opportunity to exercise the other skills I learned studying Journalism, English, and Creative Writing.
I wouldn’t change a thing about the up and down rollercoaster I call “College Life” because it made me who I am today—a confident educated black woman ready to face the world that has me wondering if the world is ready to face me.
As time went along, it felt like my life jumped from being a to-myself, just going to class freshman to a confident, beautiful woman who speaks her mind and is ready to face the world, in a blink of an eye. So naturally, I was shocked when I realized I was going to be graduating in Fall 2022, and I hadn’t experienced an internship. Panic spread through me like Elanie Thompson-Herah in a 100-meter dash, however, my school had a resource fair coming up. So, I dusted off my old resume, updated it, made copies, and researched all the companies attending to determine which companies were my favorite and to make a good appearance. AngeLink was one of the first companies to stand out to me because it related to all of my interests and wasn’t just journalism or just videography or just public relations or just being creative, it was a combination of all of them. I am able to incorporate all my favorite types of writing (creatively, journalistically, and non-fiction writing on specific topics) in my blog posts providing me a space to talk about what I care about and powerful women. Most importantly, the company has 6 pillars: Access to Capital for Women in Business, Female Inequality and Injustice, Underprivileged and Minority Women, Medical Research and Support for Women’s Health and Wellness, Girls and Women in STEM, and Single and Homeless Women. They support women of all different backgrounds and lifestyles which I value greatly, because I wanted a company that not only supports me but the things I find important as well.
From my first day on the job, I knew I was going to like it. AngeLink seemed like a “21st Century Company”—one understanding of mental health, open to new ideas and creativity, supportive of social issues, motivational, and so much more, but I kind of expected that from a women-made and owned company. However, it was solely the small little things the company does, like having feminine products in the bathroom, snacks and food in the kitchen, having a break room with a ping-pong table, being able to take a break with my coworkers and go outside for a minute, and more that really made me feel comfortable in my job and encouraged my creative juices to flow. I love being able to come to work and talk about something that’s going on in the community or something bothering me because normally we all feel the same way and discuss the topic. I never feel nervous to talk or ask questions, and most importantly I feel supported by the women around me chasing their dreams.
And I think that’s the best part about my job—being able to exercise and combine the things I learned in college and my passions while chasing my dream with like-minded, strong, independent women around me also doing the same and encouraging me to the next step.
I say all this to say, that life is going to throw you opportunities that will skyrocket your skills, knowledge, platform, and appearance while stressing you out to teach you balance. Although it was a lot and slightly overwhelming at times, I wouldn’t change a thing about the up and down rollercoaster I call “College Life” because it made me who I am today—a confident educated black woman ready to face the world that has me wondering if the world is ready to face me. I’m not going to say it was easy, but it was worth it.
So, in those moments where you feel in over your head or you have too much on your plate, take a second to breathe and remember your journey and where it will lead you: success.
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