rob winder
my story
Several years ago, a research project of sorts took me to the main library of Brigham Young University. Not long after I began browsing the stacks for the books I needed, I noticed something that brought a very big smile to my face:
The call number signs displayed at the end of every row of shelves included foreshortened arrows pointing either to or away from the patron. These arrows indicated whether the patron was at the beginning or end of that row.
I was absolutely delighted to see these signs — because they were my idea. Some ten years earlier, during my time as a student employee at this same library, I had suggested this small innovation to help me and my fellow shelvers navigate the stacks just a little more quickly.
I was absolutely delighted to see these signs — because they were my idea. Some ten years earlier, during my time as a student employee at this same library, I had suggested this small innovation to help me and my fellow shelvers navigate the stacks just a little more quickly.
And ten years later, my arrows were still helping patrons and employees get around! To see that this tiny contribution had endured for so long gave me a sense of satisfaction that was mostly absent in the employment I had at the time.
For over a decade, I had a very good, stable job with the United States Postal Service as a data entry clerk. While I really enjoyed being able to listen to podcasts all day as I endlessly typed street names and zip codes, the job required no creativity. I had no opportunity to use my skills for writing or "reflective listening." There was no visible evidence that I was making any impact at the Post Office; there was nothing like those arrows I could point to and say, "I did that. That was me."
For over a decade, I had a very good, stable job with the United States Postal Service as a data entry clerk. While I really enjoyed being able to listen to podcasts all day as I endlessly typed street names and zip codes, the job required no creativity. I had no opportunity to use my skills for writing or "reflective listening." There was no visible evidence that I was making any impact at the Post Office; there was nothing like those arrows I could point to and say, "I did that. That was me."
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That's why in 2019, I made the absolutely terrifying decision to leave the comfort of the Post Office to pursue a Master of Mass Communication degree at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Now that I've completed the program, I can say without reservation it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've had the opportunity to interview everyone from public officials to puppeteers. I've discovered talents I wasn't even aware of, and reawakened others that had long been dormant. And I've embarked on what will surely be a lifelong exploration of (and love affair with) one of the world's great highways, U.S. Highway 89.
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And, as you'll find on this website, I now have a few more things I can point to and say, "I did that. That was me."
And there's more to come. I look forward to making an impact with your outlet or organization by sharing stories that will make life a little easier to navigate for your readers, listeners and viewers.
And there's more to come. I look forward to making an impact with your outlet or organization by sharing stories that will make life a little easier to navigate for your readers, listeners and viewers.