Coffee 101

My STEP project was taking coffee classes in San Rafael, CA. During these classes I learned about sensory analyses and how to differentiate notes and smells, how to pull quality espresso shots and pour latte art, and the basic science of coffee roasting and I got to apply all of these in the class.

Prior to the project I knew quite a bit about coffee and knew I enjoyed it, however attending these classes changed my view. Not that I learned much more than what I knew but to learn about just how in depth you can go with so many different hobbies. I met someone who worked for an extra virgin olive oil store and would sample them with customers and they can differentiate flavors between the different kinds of olive oil. It completely opened my eyes to the fact that something as simple as coffee, or olive oil, or wine, or whatever hobby you want to insert, could have so much depth and complexity to it. That it’s not just surface level, there’s much more beyond that, and that’s exactly how people are.

One of the best if not the best part of my trip was the people. My instructor and classmates were incredible. If it wasn’t for these people I would have very much thought my trip was mediocre. As soon as I walked in I was greeted with a warm hello from one of the students who was at the class the day before I got there and that was quickly followed up by a welcoming greeting from the instructor. Immediately I knew I was in the right place, not because of the coffee equipment, because of the people. They were so incredibly kind. When we broke b]for lunch the first day I was just going to walk to town which was only a 10 minute walk, but then one of my classmates, Dave, invited me to get lunch with the others and offered me a ride so I didn’t have to walk. Later when the class for that day was over and I started walking to my Airbnb, again just a 10 minute walk, a girl from my class, Valéria, offered me a ride back. One evening a classmate who was staying in the same Airbnb invited me to go to the beach to watch the sunset one evening, something I didn’t think I would get to do, because she knew I didn’t have a car and wanted to help and make the most of my trip. The sunset was incredible. These people’s kindness helped me to realize that there is so much more to people than just the surface.

While I was bumping shoulders with all these kind people in the class and outside of, I got to know so much about them. I heard about their families, past, why they were taking the class and so much more. I was amazed at how well you can get to know someone when you’re intentional with your questions and you just take the time. I could have said no to every one of the offers and shoved my face in my phone but instead I put the phone down and just focused on them. Because I did that I was able to network with different people, some who are already in  the coffee industry. One actually offered me an internship at his company. I can say with confidence after my 3 short days in California I made some incredible friends. Again this helped me to learn that there is so much more to people than you realize if you just take the time to invest in a conversation.

Finally the coffee. Again it wasn’t so much the coffee, it was the realization I had when I was taking notes that people pay good money to come sit in a class to learn about coffee for several days on end. The fact that there is so much to coffee that even when you break it up into different sections you still can’t cover everything in 8 hours is incredible. Most people when they think of coffee they just think of the coffee pot in the morning. But there are so many moving parts and people that it took to get that coffee in your pot in the morning that aren’t even thought of. I’m not shaming anyone by this, it’s more of an encouragement. If something as “simple” as coffee can have so much hidden under the surface and so much labor involved in getting you that product, think about something as simple as the clothes you’re wearing or the food you eat, and just think, if coffee can have so many layers to it then how much more does this sandwich. A farmer works hard to grow the wheat for that sandwich which gets sent off and turned into flour by more people, which is baked by more people, which is packaged by more people, shipped by more people, and sold by more people. That is just one part of that sandwich. This aspect of coffee taught me to be so much more grateful for each individual thing I have and to think about the manpower it took to get me this product.

These things I learned are all fundamental things and a part of our daily lives.You have interactions with people all the time throughout the day, you use things that took man power to create all the time. For me the way these apply to my life are simple, moving forward I’m going to put down the phone. The phone can be an easy excuse or cheap exit from a conversation. By putting down the phone I’m investing into that interaction that I’m having, whether it’s listening to a professor’s lecture, a classmate who appears to be struggling, or even a classmate on the first day of class looking to make a friend. By doing this I’m able to actually look beyond the surface and really get to know people. The other aspect is gratitude, to take a quick moment and reflect. By doing this I’m able to be truly grateful for the fact that I’m able to attend an awesome institution with incredible instructors or maybe it’s as simple as being grateful for my cup of coffee. The simple fact is that gratitude and anxiety cannot coexist. Your brain cannot respond to both at the same time. So even despite circumstances, despite trials, I can choose to be grateful and that will have a positive outcome not only for me but for those around me.

1. My STEP Signature Project involved learning to play the electric guitar with the guidance of Snake Rock, a former musician and lifelong guitarist. The main activities included guitar lessons consisting of exploring different techniques, scales, and music genres. STEP provided necessary funding that allowed me to pursue this passion and develop a skill that I might not have prioritized otherwise.

2. Through my STEP Signature Project, I experienced a significant transformation in my understanding of myself and my view of the world. Learning to play the electric guitar not only improved my musical abilities but also boosted my self-confidence and sense of accomplishment. As someone who used to hesitate in trying new things or pursuing artistic interests, this experience challenged my assumptions about my capabilities and opened my eyes to the value of stepping outside my comfort zone. I discovered a newfound appreciation for creativity and self-expression, realizing that there’s so much more to college life than just my pursuits in engineering.

3. Several events, interactions, and relationships during my STEP Signature Project contributed to this transformation. The guidance and mentorship of Snake Rock played a crucial role in instilling a sense of discipline and dedication in my guitar practice. His passion for music was infectious, and observing his love for what he does inspired me to pursue my own artistic passions fearlessly. I was constantly amazed by the incredible stories that he shared with me. Interacting with fellow guitar enthusiasts, both during my time with Snake and at other music-related events, exposed me to diverse perspectives and musical influences, broadening my horizons and challenging my previous notions about music and the electric guitar.

Moreover, the process of learning a new skill demanded patience and perseverance, teaching me the importance of resilience and continuous growth. Overcoming challenges in mastering complex techniques or memorizing songs taught me that progress is a result of consistent effort and not immediate perfection. These experiences encouraged me to embrace failure as a steppingstone towards improvement, a lesson that extends beyond the realm of music and into various aspects of life.

Meanwhile, throughout the course of this summer, I developed another meaningful relationship during my internship at Lincoln Electric. Over the past few months, I formed friendships with several colleagues, including Eric, a coworker who turned out to be a talented musician in a local rock band. He kindly invited me to attend one of their shows, which also happened to be my first-ever concert. Witnessing Eric’s guitar performance on stage was truly awe-inspiring. His remarkable talent, coupled with the passion and excitement that permeated the crowd, made the evening truly unforgettable. Although I may never grace the stage like Eric does, the profound impact of his performance motivated me to commit to daily practice on my own musical journey. Since that night, I’ve been fortunate to attend several more concerts, all for different bands, and I’m eager to continue diversifying my musical experiences every day.

4. The transformation I underwent during my STEP Signature Project holds immense significance for my life and future. Music has always been an integral part of who I am, and playing the guitar allows me to express myself creatively and find solace amidst the pressures of academic and work life. Engaging in music provides a valuable outlet for stress and enhances my overall well-being. As I continue to nurture this skill, I envision incorporating music into my academic and professional pursuits, exploring ways to merge my passion for music with my career aspirations. In fact, I have already committed to plans for winter break: using my electrical engineering knowledge, I will be building my own electric guitar, and I am beyond excited for that opportunity to arrive.

Furthermore, the newfound self-confidence I gained through this project has positively impacted my personal relationships and social interactions. I feel more comfortable connecting with others who share similar interests and exploring new opportunities that were once beyond my comfort zone. Additionally, participating in weekly practices with my housemates at OSU represents a continuation of my musical journey and offers a chance to collaborate with fellow musicians, fostering a new sense of community and camaraderie.

(I got this one-of-a-kind custom guitar from Mr. Snake Rock)

STEP Sewing Workshop Reflection 

1. During the course of this summer (June- July), I participated in private sewing classes at The Sewing Hive located in Columbus, Ohio. In these classes, I learned the basics of sewing, how patterns work, how garments are constructed, and I got an inside look of the design side of fashion and retail. Over the past two months, I have learned how to create and sewn a pillowcase, drawstring bag, lounge pants, makeup pouch, button-down shirt, t-shirt, sweatshirt, and a maxi dress. 

Here are some photos of my progress and finished projects at The Sewing Hive!

2. This project has thoroughly changed my view of the art of sewing and has also helped me understand what I want in a career. Learning to sew has opened my eyes to how much precision it takes, and how difficult and time consuming it is to construct garments in fashion and retail spaces. I am majoring in business with a specialization in marketing with a minor in fashion and retail studies. Choosing my major I had a passion for the business side of the fashion industry and had interest in someday designing and constructing clothes for my favorite brands. 

After taking these classes, I have learned to sew efficiently and have gained so much knowledge on what goes into garment creation in the industry. I now look at garnet construction much differently as I know the time, dedication, perseverance, and precision it takes. Not only has this project given me an inside look on the difficult yet rewarding side of design but also it has helped guide me make a decision on which way I’d like to steer my future career upon graduating.

3. The relationships I formed throughout this project have had a positive impact on me and my career. Through the duration of my sewing classes, I worked one on one with an expert leveled sewing instructor named Jamie. Jamie and I completed all of my projects together and everything that I have learned about sewing for this project has come from her. Jamie is extremely talented with sewing and has great teaching methods. 

Due to the amount of time Jamie and I have worked over the summer, I have gotten to know her well and now see her as a mentor or role model for my future. Jamie has previous experience working in arts and fashion and now works as a leader in a small business (I aspire to one day have my own small retail business). With Jamie’s experience in this, I now have someone to refer to and get advice from moving forward career wise. 

Not only has my relationship with Jamie blossomed over the summer, but so has my connections with other instructors at The Sewing Hive as well. Recently a new instructor started, she is in her mid to late 20s and graduated from Columbus School of Art and Design majoring in Fashion. Her current job is a costume designer for Broadway productions such as Frozen and other Disney hits. She is taking on a second role as a sewing instructor at The Sewing Hive. Hearing about her journey through school and where she is today has truly inspired me to do what I love and never stop following your dreams no matter what anyone says.

Both of these relationships have strengthened me as a person, and I am so grateful to have met and developed connections with both of them. They have both taught me the importance of perseverance, dedication, and passion in your career and in your everyday life. 

4. This transformation has been extremely valuable to me because it has helped me narrow down which career I want in the fashion industry after I graduate. Before learning to sew and getting an inside look at the design side of fashion, I thought fashion design may be a good fit for me. I recognize now that design is fascinating and rewarding but I think my true passion is for the business and production side of the fashion industry. Without this STEP experience I may not have figured that out until too late. I now know I want to hone in on a career in fashion buying, fashion merchandising, and fashion marketing and fashion branding. 

These sewing classes have allowed me to learn a lifelong skill that I can use forever. I do have a passion now to start my own sewing projects as a hobby and it is an outlet for me to explore creativity and be imaginative. I am incredibly grateful for this new skill I can now use to explore and create in my personal life.