hen I entered the Alaska workforce at the age of 17, I was in no way career minded. A family friend who had coached my youth volleyball team approached me with the opportunity for a summer job after I graduated from high school. Having no other plans to speak of, I agreed a job was a good way to occupy my time.

Similarly, when I graduated from college, I wasn’t looking for any specific work; I was looking for a paycheck that would ensure I could pay back my student loans. When Alaska Business hired me to work the front desk, all parties assumed it would last for a few years.

Shortly after I was hired, then-editor Susan Harrington set a story on my desk and asked me to edit it. I did a terrible job. I over-corrected editorial choices that were fine and completely failed to fact-check anything, really. I was, at the time, a good editor, but I had no idea how to edit for this publication.

Instead of giving up, she gave me feedback.

Years later, when I was working regularly with the editorial team, I recall walking into her office and asking her a question about an article. She paused and then asked: “Did you try to find out?” I had not. She told me to see what I could find and come back to her if I was stuck. I don’t remember what I asked her, but I do remember the critical lesson that, if I have questions, I am responsible for trying to find answers.

While working with then-editor Kathryn Mackenzie, there was an issue in need of a construction story. I pitched several ideas, and she told me to pick the one I was most interested in. She trusted that whatever I was curious about would prove valuable to our readers.

Over my years at this publication, I have been gifted with the opportunity to grow. I have been watered and set in sunlight, pruned and repotted. Very occasionally I’ve been tethered to a stake (looking back, it was probably for the best), but mostly I have been nurtured and provided space to thrive.

It’s my annual April wish that all Alaskan employees find their own space to root, and grow, and bloom.