This past summer was one of the busiest, most meaningful, and most memorable seasons of my life. When I think back on everything that happened, I can honestly say that it changed me, not just as a Campus Ambassador, but as a student, a leader, and a person. Going into summer, I was nervous. I was not nervous about the work itself, but rather about how much I had committed myself to doing. Between the hours I had signed up for as a Campus Ambassador, the summer classes I was taking, the internship I was completing with forensic psychologists, and my goal to finish my summer minor, it was clear that this was not going to be a relaxing break. I worried about how I would balance everything and whether I would even have time to enjoy it.
Despite my nerves, I made myself a promise that I would give this summer everything I had. I wanted to work as many hours as possible and, even more importantly, I wanted to meet and genuinely get to know every ambassador who was working that summer. I wanted to leave the season feeling like I had really connected with the community and become part of something bigger.
I signed up for as many shifts as I could. I covered tours, worked at the Koret Visitor Center, staffed the Campanile, and supported events whenever extra help was needed. There were weeks where I felt like I was living on campus, showing up every day ready to smile, answer questions, and represent UC Berkeley to hundreds of visitors. I began to love it more with every shift. Working so many hours gave me the chance to interact with nearly every ambassador on staff. I began recognizing everyone by name, learning their personalities, figuring out who made the funniest jokes on tour, who shared my coffee habit, and who always carried snacks in their bag. By the end of the summer, I felt like I had accomplished one of my biggest goals. I did not just know my coworkers, I had built real friendships with them.
Those hours were no joke either. On most days, I worked six or seven hours back-to-back. It became a running joke among my friends that the only thing longer than my shifts were my stories about my shifts.
This was also the summer where I found my footing as a member of the leadership team. At first, stepping into that role felt intimidating. Being in leadership means that you are not only focused on your own tours and shifts but also on how the entire day is running for everyone else. Early in the summer, I sometimes second-guessed myself or hesitated before making decisions. Over time, everything began to feel more natural. I remember the first time I was asked to run the entire Koret Visitor Center shift for the leadership team, which essentially meant I was responsible for managing the entire Campus Ambassador day. I was nervous at first, but once I got into the flow of it, I felt proud of how I handled the responsibility. That day became a turning point for me because it showed me that I was capable of more than I believed, and it gave me confidence that stayed with me through the rest of the season.
Outside of work, I was taking summer classes and finishing my summer minor. There were days where I gave a morning tour, rushed home to join an online lecture, and then returned to campus for an afternoon shift. It was exhausting at times, yet also incredibly rewarding. Completing my summer minor was a major personal accomplishment, and doing so while staying committed to my work schedule taught me discipline, time management, and the importance of staying organized.
On top of that, I had the opportunity to complete an internship with forensic psychologists, which was an experience that meant a great deal to me as someone who hopes to work in that field in the future. I learned so much during the internship and gained a much deeper understanding of the real-world applications of what I study in class. One of the highlights of that experience was putting together and delivering a presentation that was both challenging and meaningful. Once it was over, I felt proud of the effort I had put into it and grateful that I had been trusted with something so important. Managing this internship along with my classes and ambassador hours was not easy, but it showed me how much I am capable of when I commit fully to what I am doing.
Despite all of the hard work, my summer was filled with fun and meaningful moments. One of the biggest highlights was giving my 100th tour. Reaching that milestone felt surreal. When I first started as a Campus Ambassador, one hundred tours felt like something only very experienced ambassadors accomplished. I stood in front of that group and thought about how far I had come since my very first tour, when I was still memorizing my lines and working through my nerves. Giving my 100th tour felt like a celebration of how much I had grown and how much I loved the work I was doing.
After many tours, I made it a habit to take ambassadors to Bagel Street Café on Telegraph. It became our little ritual. Sometimes only one other person came along, sometimes a whole group of us went together, but we always ended up laughing, talking, and unwinding after a long day. I went there every single day. By the end of the summer, the staff knew my order without me even saying it. I like to joke that Bagel Street was the reason I survived the summer, but there is some truth to that. It was the place that kept me energized and the place that made each workday feel complete.
Another memory that sticks out to me is spending time behind the Campanile during breaks. When we had gaps between shifts, a group of us would head there to relax, share snacks, and enjoy the quiet before going back to work. It became our secret summer hangout spot. Sometimes we would just sit and talk, and other times I would close my eyes for a quick nap. I even got caught napping once, which was slightly embarrassing but ended up becoming a funny story that we all laughed about later. Those moments of pause in the middle of a busy day were just as special as the big milestones. They reminded me that this job is not just about working hard, but also about enjoying the people you work with and finding moments to recharge.
Looking back now, I see that this summer was not only about putting in hours or earning a paycheck. It was about growing into myself as a person and as a leader. It was about connecting with others, building relationships, and creating memories that I will carry with me for a long time. This summer is the reason I fell even more in love with the job. It was full of experiences that shaped me: giving my 100th tour, running an entire Koret Visitor Center shift, spending way too much time at Bagel Street Café, and laughing with my friends behind the Campanile. Even the exhaustion and challenges are part of what made it so special.
I started the summer worried about whether I could handle everything I had taken on. I ended the summer proud of what I accomplished, proud of the connections I made, and proud of the leader I became. Being a Campus Ambassador is so much more than giving tours or answering questions. It is about community, growth, and finding joy in sharing Berkeley with others. As the summer came to a close, I felt a bittersweet mix of emotions. I was excited for what comes next, but I knew a part of me would miss the long summer days, the bagel runs, the Campanile breaks, and the sense of routine that came with working almost every day. This summer will always be one of my favorite chapters of my Berkeley experience because it was the summer that reminded me why I love this job, why I love this campus, and why I am proud to be part of this team. I also am glad six-seven became a thing in this job!