Meet Jordan Jarnagin | Community Organizer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jordan Jarnagin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jordan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It is a great challenge, but I think it is always worth it to do the work to find out who you are, and the more you do that, the more you come to see that who you are is something that is always growing and changing. In terms of The Philosophy an Critical Thinking project PaCT, it is a way for me to live out my values and beliefs in real life as a way of showing me whether or not they are true. I think if you value kindness, it is important to go outside and be kind on a regular basis, and if you are not sure if kindness is important, go out and do it anyway – the kind actions over time will show you if you value kindness or not.

I value thinking and communication. I value growth and learning. I believe that everyone is capable if given opportunity even if it may be easier for some than others. Because I value these things, I host events that give people spaces to think freely and communicate with one another, to challenge themselves with new concepts and grow. Some people do not have the privilege of community or positivity in their daily life, and I think that community is not something that just happens when people live next-door to each other – it is something that is built brick by brick with effort and intention.

Th PaCT Project is all about trying to create the world I want to live in, one where people can be themselves and share what they think. I do this by sharing ideas through the weekly Perspectal Podcast, and hosting monthly events – Full circle Community Discussions where open dialogue is encouraged, Art for Artists where creators come out to share and collaborate creatively, and PaCT Workshops where I share interesting perspectives on common ideas and facilitate a group, encouraging them to listen and share what they actually think.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work as a project engineer for an EV automotive company. The work is interesting because it combines working with people, systems, and physical parts to try and create processes that are efficient and work for all involved. When I initially went to school for engineering it was very difficult for me and was very focused on theories and design. I supported myself through school, and I remember more than once skipping meals to afford textbooks and riding my bike 20 miles to school to make an 8am class. I think I could say plenty of things to describe my struggles to become an engineer, but I honestly had a blast in school even though it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I think once you truly decide that you are going to commit to something it makes everything much easier, and I was very committed to my education.

As I came closer to my degree and started my first job at an aerospace company, I came to a realization that theory and design are just part of the story to any product that rolls off of the assembly line. In addition to the materials used to make something and the design of the product, there are sorts of people involved in various ways that have different goals, information, and skills.

I am constantly amazed to work with very talented people that specialize in their field and love to learn new things. what I specialize in is building personal and technical relationships between people and systems to help coordinate the talents of the people I work with. It involves wearing a lot of different hats, and I love being able to see all of the interesting little details of how an idea become something that you can hold in your hand.

I think two of the most important things that I have learned in my work is that there is no challenge to small of unimportant to treat seriously if it is the thing stopping you from reaching your goals, and that it is amazing how often something that is obviously a major problem can turn out to be something of no concern if you are willing to take the time to listen to the people involved and do a bit of research.

I love to learn new things and test my ideas to see if they work out in real life, and the PaCT Project is all about encouraging growth through participation. I think everyone benefits from one person working on themselves and connecting with others, and the more people I can help to do that, the better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am very into the arts and the outdoors. I my best friend came to visit, there would defiantly be bike riding and hiking involved, bikes on the the San Gabriel river trail to the beach and hiking in the Angeles forest, probably Ice House Canyon because the air is so fresh there.

there are always small artist events like open mics and galleries open, so depending on the days going to those, hopefully an art walk as well.

T get a good view, we would head to the Griffith Observatory and catch the Sunday morning drum circle before checking out all of the space stuff and catching a show in the observatory theatre. and on a sunny day it would be great to go to the Huntington Library.

I am not much of a foodie, but I do love to go to new cafes and drink coffee, so during the trip it would be nice to be on the hunt for small cafes for breakfast or a nice hot cup to sip while talking on the patio.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother – for giving me the privilege to grow up in a place where I was allowed to ask questions and do experiments to test out my ideas

Brian Oliva – For his honesty in our conversations and his instrumental role in launching the PaCT Project

Website: https://www.jordantremaine.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordantremaine_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordantremaine3

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFbtbjY3pI_lWIKeqbwZYA

Image Credits
Brian Oliva