One of my favorite parts about working at APPRISE has been the people I work with. From my very first day, I immediately felt welcomed and supported by people that are not only hardworking but also helpful, kind, and community-oriented. Beyond our daily interactions, there are special “traditions” or moments we share that make working at APPRISE so enjoyable. Here is a glimpse into a few of my favorites:

1. Waldo the Alligator

On my first day at APPRISE, I remember feeling nervous as I walked around the office introducing myself, when I was handed an alligator plush. It seemed like everyone in the office gathered around me, excitedly telling me his backstory.

• His name is Waldo (though it seems to change over time).
• He befriends the newest Policy Analyst in the office (Policy Analysts only!).
• You get to keep him with you until a new Policy Analyst joins, and you have the honor of handing him off to his next owner.

It eased up every bit of my tension that day. Now, I get to watch this tradition unfold for every new Policy Analyst who joins and start conversations about his name or who got to spend time with him the most.

2. “Let’s Wear” Fridays

This tradition began as a coincidence (everyone except two people in the back office wore purple!) and was later established as a formal tradition to keep it going. Over time, it has grown into a meaningful and fun way to connect with one another. The tradition is pretty simple:

• Decide on a theme each week. The possibilities are endless – different colors, fun patterns, or specific clothing items.
• Whoever follows the theme gets to be in the picture!

As its co-founder, Julia Wang, said best, “It’s low cost but leaves an impact.”

3. Lunch & Learn

Around the end of each month, we have Lunch & Learn sessions. For an hour, we sit together, eat lunch, and discuss. These sessions provide a great opportunity to hear about new and interesting topics that people have learned about through conferences, webinars, projects, or personal research. We also sometimes have open discussions about subjects that are relevant to the work we do.

By the end of each Lunch & Learn, I always feel like I’ve learned something new, which is why I look forward to it every month.

4. Honorable mentions: Farmer’s Market, Monthly Birthday Celebrations

Our weekly trip to the nearby Farmer’s Market and monthly birthday celebrations are some of our other small but meaningful traditions that foster connection and a sense of community.

Over the course of my time at APPRISE, I’ve learned a lot and continue to do so – not just about energy efficiency programs and evaluation, survey research, and other technical skills, but also about collaboration, community, and the value of working alongside people who are supportive and passionate. It’s the people, the traditions, and the everyday moments that make APPRISE such a great place to work.