My First Year At Wattpad-Rebecca Sands
Looking back at my first year at Wattpad, I am amazed at all the memories packed into just 12 months. You truly never know what you are going to get from one day to the next at Wattpad, which—I have to admit—is one the reasons I love working here so much. Take my first day for example: October 31, 2016. It was bound to be an extraordinary day from the beginning. I was literally greeted into the office by a unicorn and not one, but three Allens (talk about a good luck omen). Granted, triple dose of Allen-a-likes flew over my head at first, but after asking around I realized two people were in (excellent) costume and the other one was simply the muse. I knew I was with my kind of people when I saw all the effort and creativity put into the many costumes on parade that day.
Fast forward to a few weeks later when I got to celebrate Wattpad’s 10th anniversary with everyone in serious style; wondering around our transformed third floor roasting marshmallows at the s’mores station, schmoozing with Margaret Atwood in our kitchen, and taking the term “photobooth” to a whole other level. I remember being overwhelmed by happiness that I had struck gold with a great job at one of the coolest companies in Toronto.
That feeling returns frequently, whether it’s viewing a solar eclipse through an office-made periscope, or welcoming a giant-sized dancing hot dog into our reception, or enjoying an expertly made mocha from the surprise coffee cart set up in our kitchen for the morning. Then there are the office parties that pretty much guarantee an arsenal of memories (the infamous summer cruise dance floor, anyone?). But nothing beats the pride of witnessing super ambitious projects from conception to reality. Of course, the unparalleled development, execution and success of Tap comes to mind, but I’d be remiss to forget about the unrivalled and bizarre creation of, easily, Toronto’s most recognizable ceramic dog fountain at Berczy park. The office kept close watch of that project so much so that it almost feels like one of our own (shout-out to #windows slack channel).
Despite all these amazing moments, it is getting to witness the intricacies of what each team and every person does daily to make our community happy and healthy that makes me thrilled for my next 12 months at Wattpad. I am so proud of the work we do and the vision we strive to maintain every day. Can't wait to see what is next!
“But nothing beats the pride of witnessing super ambitious projects from conception to reality. ”