. I’m learning to think in terms of systems and not just singularly.
As an engineer, I was trained to solve problems linearly. Now I’m being exposed to a more global understanding of issues and systems. I can now better determine what to prioritize in order to chip away at the problem I want to solve. I saw this manifested recently in a documentary I watched called Bending the Arc, that follows the journey of a group of people as they patiently worked to improve public health systems in economically exploited countries. The dedication and follow-through it took to question the status-quo and attack the problem from all angles is something that inspired me to think bigger when tackling issues I’m passionate about.
Understanding systems holistically is a skill I am excited to practice as part of the Impact Lab and Map the System, programs offered by the Skoll Foundation. One of the most exciting parts about this year is that I get to practice these skills within the bubble of academia – where there are safety nets, and I can sharpen my skills. This will prepare me to apply these skills in any setting I find myself in where I am needed to tackle nuanced and integrated problems faced by my community.
