They will change the world

I love working on really cool projects (that also happen to be really fun) for really important people (who also happen to be really nice). Today was one of those days when I felt so important by association. 

I had just settled down at my desk, wondering what task to tackle first on this sort of slow day, when the principal that I would love to work for, Jim, stopped by. I've tried to convince everyone that I should work for him since pretty much Day 1, but so far it hasn't stuck. I'm told that "I have fans" and my current supervisors don't want to give me up. That's nice. :) But it hasn't made it easy to transition onto his projects. So, he stops by and immediately starts asking about the photos on my cubicle wall. I point out a couple from Botswana, several from the Gulf of Mexico, and one of my dog Maizie (who he says is adorable - or something along those lines; I don't remember, but probably he didn't use the word "adorable"). At that point, I realize that only two people have commented on my photos since I started ten months ago, and anyone who says my dog is sweet-looking has already won me over. He also comments that I have traveled to some pretty cool places (this from the guy whose job takes him to Azerbaijan and Zimbabwe and everywhere in between).

Then he asks me to help with a small task. After he spent five minutes complimenting my dog and my travels, I would have agreed to almost anything, but honestly, I was sold from the minute he said hello. It didn't matter how busy I was with other work--to work on his projects, I would work overtime.

The project I was helping with, as it turns out, had a lofty goal. Jim had been selected as a lead author of the sea level rise analysis for the 2013 National Climate Assessment and I would be helping him with a small piece of that. And, while Google searching his role, I realized that the earlier version of this report, back in 2000, was directed by Rosina Bierbaum, the former dean of SNRE for whom I worked last year (and one of 21 current science & technology advisors to President Obama). She is now a Convening Lead Author (more important than just "Lead Author," apparently) for the climate adaptation portion of the 2013 report.

I am totally floored. I work for such impressive people, and they will change the world! If anyone can set the path towards a more sustainable, more equitable future, it's Rosina. And an accomplished principal who can take a few minutes from his busy day to comment on a young associate's photos deserves the support of communities across the world. And since I helped teach Rosina's class and contribute analysis to Jim's work, that makes me important by association, right? Twenty years from now, maybe I'll be on the next generation's list of impressive people as well!