Invest in Self-Knowledge, Not Just Degrees

By Jake Rickert

Hi, I’m Jake Rickert from Tampa, Florida, and a second-year student at UF. I’m a Marketing major with a minor in Innovation. Doing my research for this blog, I couldn’t help being impressed by the other Trailblazers. I thought my being nominated as a Trailblazer may have been a mistake.

UF and the Innovation Academy (IA) are prestigious programs attracting top talent. There can be an all-encompassing air of competitiveness when it comes to schooling, one that I found to be scary and overwhelming. I am not the perfect student. When I first arrived at UF, I had a severe case of imposter syndrome- no way I was supposed to be here. I have never been driven to attain an A in every class. I lucked into mostly A’s in high school, but honestly, I’m happy to be the kid who gets a B.

Before attending IA at UF, school responsibilities and an active social life came easy. When I got here, that all changed. As many people warned me, I was in for a reality check and I for sure experienced one. Seeing all the awards and accolades that my peers have and how impactful they have been in their communities led me to one conclusion, that I am not the star student I once thought I was. I did not believe I was on the same level as my classmates. 

With my insecurity in comparing myself to the other accomplished IA students, I started to doubt my abilities to succeed. It was a rough transition, mainly because of the negative self-talk I was giving myself. Fortunately, I am surrounded by good quality people in the IA program, not just smart, but people of good character. After a few deep breaths, it became clear to me that here at IA, we are all valuable, impactful, and integral to the process. We each bring our own ideas and perspectives that we can offer to the group to produce the best possible work. IA has taught me to look at others as assets, not as competition, and that the results are always better with a team approach. Immersing myself in this mindset has allowed me to become that A student at the top of the grading scale, without the pushing and shoving I thought was necessary. Instead, it is a natural result of being in the right place with the right people and being excited about what is being taught.

My time here at IA has allowed me to evolve and to grow. While I have been inspired by my classes, figuring out personal interests and goals outside of school is what I have found to be the most exciting process in my journey so far. IA has pushed me to express my extrovert tendencies that had been tamped down with my Imposter Syndrome and to take criticism in stride, things I would never have done if not for IA and its growth mindset philosophy. We are living in a global society. We are no longer separated from each other by geography, culture, or time zones. Events halfway around the world have an almost instant impact on our lives.  Appreciation for alternative experiences, openness to differing viewpoints and empathy in response to the difficulties of others is the unique set of skills you will take from the IA program.

I have been provided with many opportunities during my short time here at UF. Over the summer I was able to hold a seat in the UF Student Senate. The environment in the Senate chambers was cutthroat but my training in empathetic and divergent thinking through the IA program allowed me to prosper and influence others in the Senate with my ideas. Not only did I learn about how students make UF work, but I was also able to sponsor legislation regarding on-campus parking which will improve the experience for thousands of students. Just one example of IA skills in action.

In summary, my experience at the University of Florida and in the Innovation Academy has been a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and the development of skills that extend beyond the classroom. I have learned that success is not solely about individual achievements but about collaboration, empathy, and personal growth. My time in IA has prepared me to face the challenges of our global journey, knowing that the skills I’ve acquired will serve me well in the ever-evolving world we live in.