uxmelina

I’ve now been back in Ontario for a few weeks, getting settled in school and missing the bay area. My friends keep asking “how was Palo Alto?” to which I quickly reply “Love”. Here is what I have learned from a summer in Silicon Valley, where the culture is likely unparalleled to anywhere else in the world.

Balance life and work…with sandals: I was likely at my office longer than an other coop job I have ever held, but the casual nature, even having small things (like wearing sandals instead of heals) didn’t make it seem like work. It was just fun, designing, researching doing everything I did at less casual companies, but enjoying it a little bit more because of the small things. Now, I understand wearing sandals to work isn’t going to fly if you’re an investment banker on Wall street, but whatever you do and wherever you do it, find your “sandals”. We often feel like we need to take a class, or go to the gym to be “balanced” when simple things can also have a huge impact.

Learn something new everyday….from someone new: I picked up and moved out there, without knowing anyone. I quickly learned the area is basically full of engineers, and everyone you meet is very intelligent. It was so great meeting new people, and learning about the work they have done, because it was usually related to my field. However, don’t think you need to be surrounded by people in your field to learn something new. Everyone you meet, regardless of the field they work in, knows something you don’t. Have you met someone new today?

Internal motivation is better than external: Property is expensive, much more expensive than in Waterloo or even Toronto, it gets worst if you want to live in San Fransisco. I quickly realized that my goal to buy a cute place shortly after graduating might have to put on hold (though it’s still not impossible, but that’s a whole other conversation). This made me aware that the goals we set for ourselfs can really be motivated by external expectations or circumstance and should be intrinsically motivated for ultimate success and happiness. Look at your goals for the next year, 5 years, 10 years, you might realize that it’s not something you really want/need at all and you can invest more resources into accomplishing other goals that are more personally satisfying.

A 20-something can drive a Lamborghini and only have t-shirts in his/her wardrobe: This one is more of a fun fact, their were a lot of nice cars there, cars you don’t expect to see parked at the grocery store. The message: Never stop innovating, it can, and does pay off!