Stepping into the Refinery

What better way to show support for

women than having a whole 

wall dedicated to them?

Living in New York City now, the phrase "the city that never sleeps" has suddenly become very clear to me... as that was my exact state walking into what would become a building I would aspire to work in. The whole morning I had been sluggish and heavy-lidded getting ready, eating, and riding the subway, but the second that we got into that elevator and stepped towards the pink wall, meeting our guide Michelle, I instantly woke up.

Refinery 29 had always been more of an abstract idea to me than a company I could actually work for, a place where people not much older than me could make a career for themselves. It was always those videos and articles, lists and tips, that I would read on my phone, whether it was Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. So, honestly, walking in, seeing the R29 wall (pink in support of women), was all a very surreal experience.

Given the weather outside, with the constant rains and the cloudy looks outside, seeing Michelle's cheery pink look was instantly up-lifting and welcoming, not one bit the intimidating corporate look I was expecting heading into an office building. She represented what the brand represented: young, fresh, fun, and unique. She gave me hope that this was at least one section of the industry I could enter as I was, not needing to change what or who I am in order to fit a job.

Today's tour made me realize this might be something that I could potentially belong to as a career: a company that almost every could relate to, that stands for something that matters and that could potentially have multiple opportunities for me inside....