My Journey at Rasta

Your first job. Daunting, isn’t it? Exciting, sure, but daunting too. It was a sunny afternoon in May, 9 whole months ago, when I first learned about Rasta. The big yellow website claiming to be ‘Culture First’. Naturally, I was intrigued. So, two interviews and two tests later, there I was, starting my first job. Someone had decided to pay me to write. Something I had dreamed of doing ever since I had read my first ‘Nancy Drew’. It was my very own ‘Chapter 1’. 

 

I was never a stranger to writing. I’d been writing stories in secret notebooks ever since I was 7 or 8. So I thought, ‘This gig is gonna be a piece of cake.’ I was wrong. Not only did I have to write almost everything ‘in 3 words or less’, but it also had to be catchy, witty, and most of all ‘concept led’. Now, for me, a History Major, simply summoning Hemingway was not enough. 

 

There were lessons that I learned and lessons that I unlearned. I had to learn how to absorb like a sponge and squeeze out only the best. I had to learn how to switch between brands and tones, and how to proofread like a pro. I had to learn how to articulate and communicate my ideas to get the best results possible, and how to make engaging content using limited resources. 

 

This was also my first exploration towards finding that perfect, mystical work-life balance. There were days that were overwhelming, when the deliverables were aplenty and time - never enough, and there were days when words would naturally flow from my brain. It wasn’t easy but then again, nothing worth doing ever is, right?

 

An important lesson for me was that you HAVE to get on the same page as the rest of your team. Whether it’s about a concept you’ve devised or submission timelines. That the final product is as good as your teamwork and communication. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to find a team open to experiments, suggestions, and new ideas. 

 

Rasta proved to be a space that helped me grow, encouraged me to find my voice, and allowed me to experiment as much as I could. The lessons I’ve learned here have not only helped me become a better writer, but also a better teammate. And for that, I truly am grateful.