When I reflect on my time working at Alkalign, I am filled with gratitude. One of the main reasons Alkalign is special is the communal environment created by Erin, the instructors, and the clients. As part of the staff, you become a part of the community that fosters a healthy mind-body connection in everything that you do. Every task is built with intention and detail, so you quickly develop leadership skills and a sense of pride with each duty. This is perfect for high schoolers especially because the purpose behind everything really guides the work you do. Suddenly, making sure that every client is accounted for in class becomes: Is Julie in class today? How is her puppy doing? Have her kids started school yet?
Alkalign is a home away from home, and the friendly faces you see day to day become a part of your life. In a time where technology is so prevalent and people lack real face to face communication, working the front desk and talking to clients or playroom staff pushes you out of your comfort zone and broadens your network. I was also very busy in high school applying to college, leading my school’s dance team and volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, but working at Alkalign allowed me to slow things down, focus on engaging with the people around me and complete tasks with full attention and diligence. You put the cell phone down and organize the space, really making sure that everything is as it should be. Over time, this creates a high standard for which you hold yourself accountable: sloppily getting things done just to move on to the next doesn’t cut it anymore.
Working at Alkalign did so much for me as a growing individual and it gave me back everything I put into it. With most things, the more dedicated you are, the better the results will be. This is incredibly important for everyone to learn first hand, but especially high schoolers. I encourage anyone looking to work for Alkalign to evaluate what you want out of the job and how you will contribute to the community. What strengths can I bring to the team? What skills should I focus on improving? With that mindset, working at Alkalign will become a key learning experience and will transform the way you view organization, leadership, and community.
Best,
Isabella Montoya
