<p>Okay, well, here’s me: I just wrapped my first week at <a href="https://18f.gov/">18F</a>, where I’ve joined <a href="https://18f.gsa.gov/about/">the team</a> as a product designer. This first week’s been heavy on device setup, attending orientation sessions, and taking various self-paced classes<span class="w"> —</span> in short, learning what it means to work both in and for the federal government. It’s been a lot, to be sure, but it’s never felt overwhelming. These folks seem to have spent a lot of time thinking about the onboarding process, and how best to support the people in it.</p> <p>This is all to say that it’s early days yet, and all the learning I’ve done this week is, like, the work <em>before</em> the work happens. But as I look back over everything I’ve seen since Monday, two themes emerge:</p> <ol> <li>Every single person I’ve met this week<span class="w"> —</span> and I’ve met quite a few!<span class="w"> —</span> has been smart, kind, <em>and</em> really happy to be working where they do. As someone new to the organization, that’s so encouraging to see.</li> <li>It’s, like, remarkably energizing to be around people who are really (really, really) passionate about making digital services work better for people.</li> </ol> <p>I’ll probably have more to say later. But for now, I can say this: I’m glad to be here, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.</p>
<hr /> <p>This has been “<a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/wrote/18f/">Hello, 18F.</a>” a post from <a href="https://ethanmarcotte.com/wrote/">Ethan’s journal.</a></p> <p><a href="mailto:listener+rss@ethanmarcotte.com?subject=Reply%20to:%20“Hello, 18F.”">Reply via email</a></p>