Thank You Anytown!

2.      For your final assignment, write a thank you letter to your supervisor and/ or organization as a whole. Feel free to send a copy of your post to them as well.

I want to extend a huge thank you to the Anytown Organization as a whole. As a participant I not only gained a stronger sense of social awareness and the injustices that take place in our own society, but I also was given a network of leaders who enriched my life. Through Anytown I have made lifelong friendships that have stayed with me for years and have shaped the person I have become. I have also been connected to mentors who continuously teach me how to be a better leader and inspire me to have growth in all aspects of my life.

As an intern, I was able to gain valuable skills that will allow me to further my career once I leave. I  have learned a breadth of knowledge ranging from how a non-profit functions to how to successfully run fundraising efforts. Above all, my interpersonal and communication skills have seen a lot of improvement. Before I was a bit of an introvert, but now I am comfortable in articulating messages to a variety of audiences. I am deeply grateful for the impact this organization has had on my character.  

Most Important

1.      What were the most important things you learned from this internship? Look back to your first blog post. Did you meet your initial goals? Why or why not?

I think the most important thing I learned from this internship is that a small group of people can in fact enact change. My initial experience with Anytown was as a camp participant and I did not realize that behind the scenes of this influential non-profit was only a small group of leaders. Now, that's not to say that the organization itself is not large, because all participants are somehow part of the Anytown community.

These were my initial goals a the beginning of my internship and how I attained them.

• Learn how a non-profit can act as a catalyst and facilitator of community change: I saw first hand how even a small non-profit can make a big impact in a community. Programs like Anytown especially have a large reach because they teach others to become agents of change, even furthering their reach.,

• Facilitate workshops that instill leadership skills within young people to foster inclusion and respect among all members of society: One of my favorite parts of my internship was participating in camp and watching young leaders reach their “AHA” moments that will change their outlook on their community.

• Through community outreach, ensure that the organization has a healthy outlook for future growth: I participated in a variety of projects, such as outreach and recruitment, which I am confident will ensure Anytown Leadership Camp continues to make an impact on young lives.

Ikea

3.      Free Write: Ikea and decorating

I never know if I am more excited to go to Ikea or if I dread it. Since we moved in to our new apartment my girlfriend has been adamant about “finishing” it. Whatever that means! Apparently we don’t have enough “stuff.” So last Tuesday we went on a “quick” trip to Ikea. Who were we kidding? There is no such thing as a “quick” trip to Ikea.

She had wanted to scope out a headboard she had seen online but after seeing it in person we decided it was too cheap looking. So we instead strolled over the downstairs where there's other stuff besides furniture. Holy Crap does Ikea have EVERYTHING. We grabbed straws, trash bags, extra trash cans, and even some decorative stuff like picture frames, potted plants, and mirrors. We came home with a car full of “essentials,” and I was excited put some of the hanging stuff up. Now, I must admit that we have not finished putting some of the picture frames up but I thought we were finally “finished.”

So on Friday when I asked my girlfriend if she was happy with how our place looked, I was surprised to hear “well, its not finished, we still need a headboard and a new bedspread” I give up.

Carreer Fair

4.      Career Services write-up: Career Fair

I went to the Career Fair in February that was open to all majors. I spoke to big companies like Target, Vanguard, and some government employees as well. I had a couple of target companies that I made sure to reach out to. However, I made sure to also walk around and talk to companies to just get general info with.

What was really surprising was that there were so many sales recruiters. I was a little scared that my major was too specialized and that not many employers would be looking for a Public Service and Policy student, but as it turns out most companies are just interested in you having a degree in general. It seems that the focus is not on what major you studied but more so the kind of leadership qualities and critical thinking skills you developed on the way. This was a huge relief because as I reflect more and more, I have learned that the only real “Public Service” job I am really interested in is a job in law enforcement. Now, I realize I probably should have pursued criminal justice instead but I really enjoyed my coursework. I am excited to explore other career opportunities besides that of a police officer just in case my hiring process is delayed. The career fair helped open my eyes to the variety of opportunities that are out there.

New Car

2.      Free Write: New Car

I have had a GMC truck since I was old enough to drive. I loved having a big truck but lately I have wanted to upgrade what I am driving. My girlfriend’s family is selling their 2009 Lexus sedan and are going to be giving me a really great deal on it. I have had to wait for a couple of months now though as they shop for another car.

So in the mean time I posted my truck on craigslist and the interest that I received was a lot greater than I expected. I ended up getting a couple of offers so I sold my car rather quickly. For now, I am driving a sedan that my parents let me borrow but I am really eager to get into something new. Whats making things even more complicated is that I have been really looking into Jeeps lately. I had never considered them before but it seems like they are kind of a hybrid between Truck and a smaller car. What's surprising is how much they hold their value! I was looking at a 2006 Jeep that was selling for almost 25K! I might just stay with the Lexus, but I don’t want to regret not getting the Jeep! We will see what happens.

Anytown Strengths

1.      What are the strengths of your organization? If you were in charge of a similar organization, are there any things you would do differently?

One of the major strengths of Anytown Leadership Camp is that it does not have to have a big infrastructure to make a huge impact. Every year 600 students attend camp and have a life changing experience. I have personally seen camp delegates go back to their communities and become agents of change. Whether they start student clubs within their schools, or are inspired to become part of community action organizations, these young students are inspired by the time they spend at camp.

Now we really only have a working staff of about 12. Most of these staff members are volunteers and run the organization on a part-time basis. Furthermore, the camp counselors who staff the camp are all made up of volunteers who we choose through an application process. Most other non profits require a large infrastructure. and the impact they make is hard to measure. Anytown, however, impacts  the lives of every single student and volunteer who participates.

Graduation

Free Write: Graduation

I have started to plan my graduation for May. It is becoming a bit complicated to plan a big celebration because I have to celebrate with my family in Tucson even though the graduation ceremony will be happening here in Tempe. I am also planning on inviting childhood friends and family friends so I am anticipating a large crowd. What futher complicates things is that I don’t want to put out any of my brothers and sisters by asking them to host. So, I am currently looking for a venue in Tucson.

The past couple of places I have inquired as of yet are either too small or out of our price range. So, it seems I am going to have to ask someone to host. Either way, I am definitely excited to graduate and am even trying to schedule time with a professional photographer. I am eager to start my professional life. I am also filled with a sense of anxiety because so much is unknown as of right now. I am not sure if I will get into the police academy and the other jobs I have applied to have not given me any definite offers. I can only hope that everything will work out for the best, and am excited to embark on a new journey.