This week I will be starting a project at OnEarth, working with editors to analyze how the public interacts with environmental media. While I’m sure that the experience will be challenging and enlightening, I don’t doubt that I can accomplish the work. The thing that I am most worried about is my ability to go beyond what the magazine asks of me. I’m humbled by the work done at the NRDC, and I have found myself asking, ‘What could I possibly add to this powerful body of thinkers and planners?’ My experience and education is limited compared to others at OnEarth, and while I consider myself independent and imaginative, I can’t help but think it unlikely that my ideas will have an impact in such an advanced organization. Nevertheless, I have some hope that although I feel lost now, I will come to find a way to make a difference—no matter how small.

The most practical way for me to accomplish this is a three-fold plan:

Step One: watch, listen, repeat.

At first, I will need to absorb and process every new bit of information that I come across. Since I am relatively new to the field, and obviously new to the organization, I will be starting from scratch. In order to move beyond this, I realize that I will have to understand what others are doing around me and why they are doing it.

Step Two: form my own ideas.

Once I’m comfortable with the workings of the organization, I will have to move beyond repetition. Before I can have a hope of creating an impact, I will, of course, have to create a concept. In a way, I foresee this step as the most difficult. My ideas must be creative, unique, practical, and effective. Once again, my fear is that my ideas will be dwarfed by those of more experienced employees, and that my hope of unique contribution will not be realized.

Step Three: implement.

If, by chance and by character, I can form an idea deemed acceptable by OnEarth, I will hopefully be able to implement it during my time there, and effect some sort of positive change in environmental media.

Right now, I feel naïve to think that I will have an impact here. I would not consider it a failure to simply complete the work I am assigned in the way that I am assigned to do it. However, I would consider it a profound success if I leave a small but unique impression within OnEarth.