For the past six plus years, my daily habits revolved around academia. This fostered some healthy habits (regular sleeping hours, less television, more books, and, arguably, more coffee), but the expectations that came with those years proved to be less than healthy. Not only had my mental health began deteriorating, but my outlook on the purpose of life felt cyclical and was lacking purpose; research endlessly, write paper, turn in paper, get limitless red marks back, revise, re-submit, get grade, toss in the recycle bin. The topics that I was researching involved policy change for hyperandrogenous athletes in the Olympics, masculinity and mothers in modern western fiction, and Opportunity, Montana in the Anthropocene. These topics are heavy and unsolved, but in the end only counted for a single letter grade. The application of the research was nonexistent. Post-graduation, I was equipped with the ability to research and gained access to knowledge that is not readily available to all; it was a privilege to attend college for the years that I did. The downfall of devoting all of the time invested in my degrees proved to be somewhat of a double-edged sword; I have the certificate but at the cost of the experience section of my CV.  Moving forward, I needed a job that acknowledged all the years of work and research but also felt purposeful. In other words, the perfect job that everyone is searching for. 

The stress of finding a meaningful job was coupled with the impending pandemic. The daily anxiety of watching the news was overwhelming and nothing felt as important as preparing for this deadly disease to hit the States. Once that happened, businesses were shutting down and job hunting felt hopeless. The key words I typed into Google on a whim and through teary eyes was “the most purposeful jobs.” AmeriCorps was one of the top five that popped up. 

Applying for the Families First Learning Lab position in Missoula, Montana offered a direct connection to the community that I live in. The application process was straightforward and Montana Campus Compact’s mission was clear; to advance the public purposes of colleges and universities by deepening their ability to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. Everything that I was looking for during my degree was what Montana Campus Compact and AmeriCorps stood for. After accepting the position with Families First Learning Lab I was met with warmth and kindness from my new team.

Serving with Families First Learning Lab combines the research of familial relationships with the application of classes and counseling. It is a small nonprofit run by women whose motivation is refreshing and necessary. They deliver craft kits to everyone who requests one, they offer free parenting courses, and continually work to evolve with was Missoula and surrounding areas need. Serving the families who combine to make up the Missoula community is slow but meaningful work. AmeriCorps, Montana Campus Compact, and Families First Learning Lab provide a bright spot in the sea of darkness that the world is facing right now.