Thank You

Dear ASU TRIO Downtown-SSS,

I am very thankful your organization offered me an intern position and provided an opportunity for me to grow personally and professionally. I have learned so much and my knowledge of many subjects has grown. I was also challenged with the tasks you assigned to me, but the staff was very helpful and provided great advice on how to do something. I wanted to leave my mark at the organization I interned for and I feel that I have done that at TRIO. I will always be grateful to TRIO for not only supporting me, but for allowing me to contribute to the department and help it grow. I am so blessed to have met, worked with, and get to know the wonderful and dedicated people at TRIO. Your work truly benefits students and it is greatly appreciated. Phoenix is a stronger community because of your organization. GO TRIO!

Thank you,
Tessa Otero

Goals Mastered

According to my first post, I set four goals:

• Establish the Student Leadership Board (SLB)
• Maximize TRIO Devils
• Learn about grant writing
• Create a tutor/coach model

I have completed three of my goals. In the beginning of my internship, I read ASU TRIO Downtown-SSS' grant with the U.S. Dept. of Education and learned from Sylvia, the program director, about how grants should be written. The Student Leadership Board had its first meeting this week and we have six members on the board. Four members are current students and two are recent alums. TRIO Devils is planning for the fall semester and I am treasurer of the organization. I am still creating a coach/tutor model, but I am almost half way there. I will continue my internship till the first two weeks of August.

I believe I have mastered my goals and I'm on my way to mastering the last goal. My internship would not have been a success if I did not have great supervisors who really wanted me to learn and grow from this experience. I was able to accomplish a lot because I was guided on how to do certain tasks, but also given the freedom to accomplish each task in my own way. I am really glad I interned at ASU TRIO Downtown-SSS.

TRIO Devils

One of my internship projects is to help grow the student organization, TRIO Devils. This student organization is an extension of ASU TRIO Downtown-SSS and the purpose of the organization is to engage TRIO students, provide them with an opportunity to be involved on campus, and to create a family environment within the TRIO office. Recently, I just became the organization's treasurer and I am learning about asking for in-kind donations from businesses, how to do fundraising, and how to request funds from student government. I am excited to part of this student organization and love its purpose.

I never realized the skills students gain from taking on leadership roles in student clubs. I have only been active in student clubs in high school and I feel it was simpler to be a leader in those organizations. At ASU, students are really responsible with how they promote, fund, and operate the organization or club they are members of. I have also been offered a position as a policy member of the policy team with Undergraduate Student Government. I transferred to ASU last year and I am glad that I will be more involved on campus this coming school year.

SPA Career Services

On Friday, June 20th, I met with Maryjo Douglas Zunk from the School of Public Affairs Career Services to speak about my internship application for the MCLEAPS internship opportunity with Maricopa County. Maryjo reviewed my statement of interest and my resume to enhance them and hopefully increase my chances of being selected. I expressed my interest for two positions at the Office of Management and Budget and the Maricopa County Education Services Agency. I learned that applying for a position in public service requires one's resume to reflect the job description. Traditionally, I always submitted my standard resume and never revised it to ensure the employer's eyes were directed to what I wanted them to see in a few seconds. "You can direct them with your format," Maryjo said in our meeting. I never thought of directing employers with my format and will definitely apply this in my future applications.

Another lesson I learned was that my classroom projects can be applied when applying for a position. Before, I was always hesitant to use classroom experiences as examples because I was always focused to promote my work experience. For example, I have experienced adjusting a public budget for a county library in one of my classes, but I never thought to share that experience with employers. I think students attending the School of Public Affairs are really priveleged to have their own career services and it is offered for free. I have attached a link to the website for MCLEAPS below.

https://copp.asu.edu/students/mc-leaps-internship-program 

Strenghts of TRIO

The ultimate strength of TRIO SSS is the staff's commitment to ensure students succeed. This work requires a lot of dedication and belief in the mission. The goals of TRIO are to foster retention and graduation rates, foster an institutional climate supportive of success, engage students in the process of active learning, and encourage reciprocal teaching. Another goal is to provide services, opportunities, and resources that enhance personal skills and academic competencies. The goals of the organization are established, but there is not system that defines how to accomplish these goals. Every TRIO program is different and employees vary in personality and leadership style.

Recently, I contacted the director for the TRIO program at University of Arizona to inquire about their academic coaching and tutoring model and techniques. He replied and provided valuable information, but I was worried he would not help because TRIO is a grant and many institutions of higher learning compete for these grants. The competitiveness of TRIO grants is great and some programs do not really share their program components thinking it would be a disadvantage to their program. ASU TRIO programs share a lot of information with each other and all the staff members meet every month to give updates and share ideas. The staff work together to have TRIO's presence known at ASU and to grow their influence.

Student Leadership Board

One of my projects for my internship is to create a student advisory board called the Student Leadership Board (SLB). This past weekend, the applications were due and we received eight applications. This may not seem like a lot, but the day before they were due, there was only one application submitted. I was very worried that we would only have one application. SLB was created to provide an opportunity for students in TRIO to share ideas with TRIO staff and to gain student input about services and programs. This week, I reviewed the essays submitted and it was tough to rate them. There were many good applicants. I will not be able to interview the applicants because my work schedule conflicts with the scheduled interview times. I wish I was able to be there for the interviews.

I am really happy that one of my projects is more than halfway completed and I am witnessing the results of my work. I created the application using Google Form and advertised this opportunity to the students. I hope the board is effective and cannot wait to choose the finalists.

My Room

I have been living with my grandparents for the past two years. For eight months, I have not had a bed because it had a pile of stuff on it. This past weekend, I finally organized and thoroughly cleaned my room. I am so happy about that. I also got a new bed and no longer have a twin bed. I now have a full bed, yeah! It has taken me two years, but my room finally looks like a room and looks like an adult lives there. My grandmother is very happy as well because I am no longer sleeping on her nice couches. However, she is not sleeping on the couches because she falls asleep while watching television.

Since cleaning my room, I feel more organized and I wonder how I was able to function in a messy room. My room is still a working project because I need new tiles or carpet for the floor. The tile in my room has been there since it was built in the 1960s. I have a rug on the floor, but new tile or carpet is much needed. I finally painted the walls and the room now has character. I also need to purchase new closet doors because the closet doors in my room are broken and will not close correctly. New power outlets need to be installed as well. I purchased new outlets, but now I need to get one of the men in my family to finally install them. I still have some updates to do, but my room is almost complete. I am feeling very accomplished right now about my room.

Public Service

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to combat poverty and it was his signature piece of legislation while in office. By signing the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, Johnson created the first of eight TRiO programs, Upward Bound, and increasing access to higher education was one of many solutions Johnson promoted to solve poverty. With the passing of the Higher Education Amendments in 1968, Student Support Services became the third TRiO program to be created.  Therefore, TRIO SSS was created by policy and is meant to benefit the American society. Due to the program's history, my organization demonstrates public service. 

The organization demonstrates public service by also being engaged with Congress by advocating for TRIO programs to continue when they are at risk of losing funds or no longer existing. For example, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for a higher education issue when I was a participant of the Student Public Policy Forum. One of the representatives I met with was Rep. Matt Salmon (R). Before we met with him, a lady holding a TRIO folder was leaving his office. I saw her later in the day and I asked if she worked for TRIO. She said yes and told me she was visiting various representatives and asking them to not decrease funds for TRIO because they serve so many students who need these programs. I think life is funny because I am interning at ASU TRIO Downtown-SSS and that experience in D.C. taught me more about TRIO's participation in the political process. Since I am in Arizona, I never would have learned about that aspect of TRIO here. 

Davi, the Programmer Coordinator

Davier (Davi) Rodriguez, is the Program Coordinator for ASU TRIO Downtown-SSS and is responsible for the tutor program, data entry, student engagement, executing workshops, other activities and enhancing resources offered by TRIO. He shared with me that his job is very dynamic and his days at work are not predictable. "The job requires case management skills because [I] have to follow students and see that they are doing well, their needs are met, and that they're meeting their goals or markers," he said. The case management aspect requires a lot of documentation and organization. The programming position also requires a lot of programming skills. Some of these skills are building partnerships with the community and campus departments and marketing skills. Listening is very important in his job when he is advising students and this skill is very neccessary for those wanting to work in higher education or wanting to interact with university students. Davi attended the University of Florida and was involved in many student organizations. He also held many leadership positions and was involved in social justice and multicultural organizations. "[My undergraduate experiences] provided the foundation for [establishing] my mission in life," he said in my interview with him.

After graduating, he worked with an AmeriCorps program called CityYear. At CityYear, he worked with "at-risk" youth and learned more about the educational pipeline. Afterwards, he moved to Arizona and worked with a nonprofit that aided homeless youths. "I learned about grants and the grant process when I worked there," Davi shared. While working at the nonprofit, he decided to obtain his Masters in Higher Education and Masters of Public Administration (MPA) at ASU. When I asked about the challenges facing professionals in higher education he said higher education institutions are realizing that being elite is not sufficient or expected of them. "At ASU, access is really stressed and a big priority for President Crow. Universities are starting to replicate today's society by including more," Davi said. In conclusion, professionals in higher education are starting to interact with different students that are different from the past. "This is good," he says with a smile on his face. "Be informed and learn about many things if you want to be successful in the public sector. Educate yourself about how policy works at every level of government," Davi advises those wishing to pursue a career in public service. I am glad I interviewed Davier Rodriguez and his many experiences demonstrate his commitment to ensure everyone has the opportunity to live a sustainable and good life.

Tutoring

I have been assigned to tutor two kindergartners and a third grader. All of my tutees are related and are cousins. I tutor for America Reads at the Salvation Army Kroc Center and enjoy my job with the program. My two kindergartners are girls as well as my third grader. My third grader is very outgoing and says a lot of funny things. We are reading "Junie B. Jones is not a Crook," because she loves Junie B. books and I try to make learning fun for my tutees. For our first tutor session , tutors have to implement a 'Get to Know You' activity. I learned from from that activity that my third grade tutee LOVES to shop. So, I created an activity where she gets to pick 'x' amount of outfits with 'x' amount of items to represent multiplication problems. For example, to represent 3x2, she would have three outfits with two items. I am so happy because she mastered this standard on that day.

Next week, we are going to learn about adjectives and I am going to make a One Direction ( a boyband) poster with pictures, descriptions, and facts about the bandmates. She will write ten sentences about each member based on the information or pictures on the poster. She REALLY LOVES One Direction. Her little cousins do too and I had them learn how to count to twenty by playing musical chairs and the music I played was by One Direction. I was really nervous about working with young students, but I am actually having more fun with them than they have with me.

Leadership

Leadership plays a vital role in my internship because I am responsible for creating and implementing many new programs. My supervisors also demonstrate leadership because they encourage me and help me with many tasks. As Program Coordinator, Davier, must meet and advise every TRIO student and the program serves 150. He is meeting with students and giving advice while planning and executing many components of TRIO. The Program Director, Sylvia Symonds, demonstrates leadership when she meets with the Dean of Students and represents ASU TRO Downtown at various decision tables. TRIO is a very versatile program and requires many leadership skills. Cognitive skills are also required, such as time management.

TRIO serves low income, first generation, and students with disabilities and the leaders of this program want their students to succeed and grow as individuals. They simply must not talk about program want their students to succeed and grow as individuals. They simply must not talk about being the best one can be, but they must also demonstrate how to be your best self. My supervisors 'walk the talk.' They struggle, but tell students that struggles are universal and nondiscriminatory and guide students on how to overcome these struggles. ASU TRIO Downtown would not exist without any leaders. 

June 11th Career Fair

Recently, I attended my first career fair and it was at the ASU Public Programs Career Fair on June 11, 2014. The career fair was interesting because many of the organizations were offering internships and very little were offering jobs. I attended the event with a recent ASU graduate and he felt that he did not benefit from the career fair because he is looking for a job. Many nonprofit organizations were tabling and very little government employers were present. I was looking forward to speaking with the City of Phoenix representatives to inquire about a job post for the City Mayor's Office, but none of the representatives could supply much information because they were from the police department or Sister Cities, a nonprofit associated with the city. I spoke with the City of Peoria, but the representative only supplied me with a handout listing all their job opportunities and I could have printed the information from their city website.

I learned that employers must also reinvent how they attract and interact with job seekers, especially government employers. The event was good, but not great as I expected. However, I attended the information session for the MCLEAPS program that was just launched between ASU and Maricopa County. The county is offering 12 paid internship positions with various offices and the Office of Management and Budget intrigued me the most. Also, the supervisor for that position would be my professor for PAF 301: Applied Statistics and I met another supervisor whom I met at another event. It was great to see her and catch up. I have attached a link to the information about MCLEAPS and encourage everyone to research this opportunity.

https://copp.asu.edu/students/mc-leaps-internship-program

Reading, Reading, and Reading some more

I am currently researching best academic coaching practices and this task requires a lot of reading. I am also enrolled in a Summer Session A class and the course requires a lot of reading as well. I feel that I read for most of the day and read the day after that, the day after that, and the day after that. Can I stop reading, please? Seriously, my mind is working too hard and I have mastered the skill of reading comprehension. Wait, I learn about many subjects from reading. So, reading is good.

I am writing this post because I'm tired of reading, but it is necessary. My grandmother said yesterday, "You better get used to tiring your eyes out because you will be doing this everyday for whatever job you get." She is right and when are grandmothers ever wrong? I may not enjoy reading right now because I feel that I do it every second of everyday, but I learn a lot about many concepts, subjects, and other 'stuff' from what I read. I believe a lesson is being reiterated and that is: reading is very important and I should be glad that I have that skill. My great-grandmother attended school till the third grade and stopped attending to work in the fields with her parents. She wanted to go to school and I was told she would cry when she could not go. Her reading skills were good, but not excellent and she would struggle at times. How dare I take my education for granted, especially when I attended a private, Catholic grade school for eight years that my parents paid for. I'm attempting to correlate my agitation for reading with my family's support of me attending a university. I hope I am doing well. Life is crazy right now and I shared my summer schedule in a previous post. During these times, I try to remember why I am driving myself crazy and it is because I want a better future for myself and my family, but also because I do not want my family's sacrifices and struggles to be for nothing. I am the oldest of three and I want to be the best role model for my brother and sister. All of my commitments will benefit my future and make my family proud of me.

Opportunities are Everywhere

I did not intend to complete my internship requirement with TRIO because I was hoping to be selected for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Summer Internship Program. The program chooses 20-30 undergraduates and participants intern with a congressional member's office in Washington, D.C. The program pays for housing, transportation, and provides a paid stipend to all participants. Summer interns attend various governmental events, workshops, and various socials with networking opportunities. The application deadline for the CHCI internship was February 11, 2014. For weeks, I anticipated and dreaded the institute's response and received many updates from them about my application status. I received news that my application passed preliminary reviews, second round reviews, and third round reviews and my anxiety grew with each update. The day before Easter Sunday, I received my final notice from CHCI and I was not selected. I was crushed because my plan had to change.

I wanted to complete my internship requirement before my senior year because I did not want that requirement to stall me from graduating. On Monday, I walked to the TRIO office in downtown Phoenix and expressed my hurt, disappointment, and worry to the program's coordinator, Davier Rodriguez. "What is your dream internship and why was this decision so important?" he asked. I paused and really thought about his question. My answer was that I wanted to 'leave my mark' on the organization that I intern for. I could not just intern there and not be responsible for any projects or not have the opportunity to be treated as a co-worker as opposed to an intern. I have heard many scary internship stories about students only getting coffee, the mail, or even picking up their supervisor's dry cleaning and that was their internship. I feared completing my internship and not learning nothing. So, Davi offered an internship opportunity with their office and that I could mold the internship to meet my needs or wants. I instantly accepted his offer.

It is funny how caught up one can get about something and not see all the other opportunities available to them. I really am happy I vented to Davi that day because my internship at TRIO is challenging me and I enjoy the challenge. Would I have been challenged at CHCI? Maybe and most likely would have, but would I feel the support I feel at TRIO? I am responsible for many projects, but TRIO staff is teaching me how to plan and execute programs. I am not doing this alone and I have guidance. What more could I ask for?