If academia has taught me nothing else, it forced me to master the skill of time management. Freshman year started with a big box of balls that I was expected to have flying gracefully through the air by the end of the week. My balance and hand-eye coordination needed severe polishing before I was even able to keep two balls in the air at the same time. One can become extremely skilled at juggling but drop all of the other balls in their life, which quickly results in an unhealthy lifestyle. Though a cheesy analogy, juggling provides an accurate reflection of my experience trying to learn new skills within a limited timeframe, while also attempting to live a healthy and balanced life, particularly in college.
Through my internship, I have found a similar dilemma. I am specifically working on passing a plastic bag ban in Salem, Oregon. We need to build up enough momentum to pressure city councilors to formulate and pass a bill. The timeframe for this task is self-imposed, similar to academics. My colleagues and I must hold ourselves accountable to the goals we have set before us. One of the greatest challenges with this task is both being optimistic and ambitious with one’s goals, as well as realistic and flexible to change. As I delve deeper in my research and outreach process, I am able to develop a greater sense of how much time and effort each goal will actually take to achieve. The act of juggling has become a smoother process. However, the rules and regulations of the game have changed dramatically.
Now I am functioning within the political realm, which has added a whole new dimension to the learning process. I am no longer in an environment where everyone strives to help me learn in the most effective and engaging way possible. The support of academia has been removed. Now I am speaking to city officials who have little to no interest in my work and my personal growth does not fit into their daily agenda. Instead, I must convince them that I am worth their time. I must present a cohesive and persuasive argument for why my cause, banning bags, deserve their attention. The tables have been turned and my diplomatic voice of persuasion must be heard loud and clear.
I have found there to be three main components in making a successful presentation. First, I must communicate the issue. The problem is that there are over 100 million tons of garbage, primarily plastic, floating in the Pacific Ocean. This toxic soup kills thousands of birds and marine animals every year (Environment Oregon). So what? The next step is to communicate the urgency. Environmental degradation has been taking place for hundreds of years. What makes today’s problems more dire that yesterdays? Today one in every three sea turtles has a plastic bag in its stomach. Today the toxic soup is suffocating thousands of animals at a devastating rate.
The final step is to provide a clear and constructive solution. Like most environmental issues, the task of changing current circumstances is so daunting that it often leaves people paralyzed. Depending on the context, the solution may be to sign a pledge of support for a plastic bag ban or volunteer to collect petitions. This step must be half, if not more, of the conversation because the other person must be convinced that they hold a crucial role in solving the problem. They also must be confident that their efforts will, in fact, make a positive and noticeable impact. Though these three steps may stray in various directions depending on the situation, I have found the overall themes to continually be prevalent.
Learning to juggle, be persuasive and create my own learning environment has forced me to reflect on my academic experience. The contrast between classroom learning and office environmental advocacy learning is drastic, but many of the skills of time management, prioritizing and seeking support are consistent. The trick is to readjust my academic tools to fit within the new constraints of the political climate.
Environmental Advocacy 