As I See Myself

• What technical skills did you learn at Year Up that will add value to this company during your internship?

The technical skills that I learned at Year Up are worth a million words. I’ve learned how to

•   construct computers
•   how to visualize a computer
•   how to install an operating system
•   how to troubleshoot the BOIS
•   how to use the Microsoft suite applications with efficiency
•   and many more

• Which of your Year Up skills do you anticipate you’ll get to display first?

I believe that my professionalism will be perceived first and foremost. This is what’s going to determine my reputation, my rapore with colleagues/managers, my persona, and my future. It is a skill that has been on my top ten list since I’ve joined Year Up, to maintain and almost perfect.

• What kind of manager do you think you will work well under?

I think I will work well with someone who is an all-around positive professional. Someone who is experienced and knows what they’re going, but can still manage to stay humble. I would hope to work with someone who is willing to teach me what they know and is open to me wanting to challenge myself in new aspects.

• How do you plan to demonstrate that you are dependable, positive, and eager while at your internship?

I plan to take initiative and leadership if there are opportunities. I don’t want to be the person who can’t be trusted with a project, or the boss doesn’t want to give me work because I’m unreliable…That’s not me anyway. I strive to make sure that I do my part in everything I do, especially if others are counting on me. And if I can’t deliver like I said I would then I will communicate that well ahead of time to ensure that a plan can be made and things still ruin smooth.

• Do you have a tentative plan for what you’ll do after your internship? If yes, what is it?

After Year Up if I don’t get hired for a full time position (which isn’t m immediate focus) I would like to go back to school. I want to finish getting my Associates degree for CNIT, then I’m going to move onto getting my Master’s, and finally I want to achieve obtaining my MBA in business management as a start. I ultimately want to become a successful entrepreneur. Either before or after my first degree I want to ensure my housing. Meaning I’m planning on putting in 500 hours of community service with Habitat for Humanity. This is equivalent to a down payment on a house. In doing this I’m helping to build my future homes as well as many others who are in need. But after I am done with my education I’m going to start my own business or be on my way to the top of corporate America.

Steps to Success

1.       Avoid Negativity --- I think this is the most important internship tip because being in a negative state of mind can throw off your entire mission. Meaning you can lose your focus, ultimately killing your internship or any further opportunities.  I already do my best to stay positive and  I plan to not let my anger to get the best of so I stay focused on why I am there; and that’s to succeed.

2.       Set Personal Goals --- Setting goals is key to staying motivated. It keeps you on task inside and outside of work.  In my internship I plan to always have something in the back of my mind that’s tangible, that I want to accomplish just as I do now.

3.       Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions --- I’m a curious person so I always ask questions if I don’t understand something and when I just want to know more. Knowledge is a power that can take you far in life and I plan to maintain that power.

4.       Network --- Like it is always stressed to us networking is what’s going to get you where you want to go. It’s important to build it now and strengthen it. Although it is a challenge for me to come out of my comfort zone I plan on pushing myself to speak up more and meet people who can help me and I can help them.

5.       Get as Much exposure as possible --- Meaning, don’t limit yourself to your comfort zone or to your personal wants. Any opportunity that comes to gain a new experience should be taken advantage of quickly. If I get a chance to move out of department and learn something new I’m going to jump on it.

6.       Find a mentor --- having someone to guide you and help you throughout your journey is going to be something I will look forward to doing so I’m going to do my best to build good relationships with the people around me

7.       Never shun a chance to learn more about the company/industry --- this could lead to many opportunities if your just push yourself to go the extra mile so that is what I want to do even before I start on my first day.

8.       Leave with tangible accomplishments --- For me it would be just being there every day on time and doing my work is an accomplishment. Any other chances I get to prove myself will most likely result in me doing it.

9.       Take Initiative --- Showing initiative gives an impression of a hard worker. You can’t let your down time be all about nothing. That’s the time you would want to prove yourself and build a reputation of an independent/team player.

10.   Enjoy yourself --- If it’s something new or something I don’t understand I’m going to make a way to make it interesting. Whether to myself or out loud I want to keep it positive as much as possible.

The Charm Of Exoticness

The last place I ever thought I would be able to work at is the San Francisco Zoo. When I was attending Benjamin Franklin Middle School some of the staff form the zoo came to do a presentation at our school and eventually ended up telling us we had a chance to work at the zoo as volunteers for the summer. I was ecstatic, because I absolutely love animals. When I was little I really wanted to be a zoologist/archeologist that traveled the world. So I saw this as an opportunity of a life time. I was one of the first people to put my name on the list.

I volunteered for two summers, and loved every minute of it!  One of the best responsibilities about the job was getting to be up close and personal with the animals, but I always looked at it as a perk. During our 2^nd training week the staff took us into the Giraffe enclosure to feed them. I was so excited because Giraffes are my favorite animals in the world. I’d been in love with them ever since I was a kid. The animals were so special and extraordinary; and even some I thought were never safe to be around. We worked with anything from baby alligators, chinchillas, possums, ferrets, old world rabbits, and more.

We were expected to study the handbook and really learn the info so that when we were with our assigned animals and the public came up to us we had to teach them.  This came in as being accountable and constantly developing my public speaking skills. I learned that it’s a lot of hard work to have to deal with a wild animal and the general public at the same time all while keeping a positive attitude and staying vigilant. Overall I loved seeking new experiences and learning. So I feel that whatever comes my way in my internship is a new chance to broaden my horizons.