STEPS TO SUCCESS

1) Rock advised me to talk to a grad student, who is currently living the life I want to live. I was able to get in contact with him last week. We are still working out times to meet and talk. I look forward to talking with him about his future endeavors and what I can do to reach my own goals.

"Hello Althia,

How are you? Yes, I am a graduate student in the college of education's Educational Policy Studies doctoral program. I will definitely sit down with you after spring break and offer some advice about navigating the graduate school process."

2) I FINALLY FINISHED THAT FREAKING PAPER.... GOSH... I WORKED MY TAIL OFF ALL LAST WEEK. I WORKED ON THAT PAPER ALL SPRING BREAK. I SACRIFICED MY FREE WEEK FOR A GOOD GRADE. THE FRUSTRATION WAS ALL WORTH IT BECAUSE I HAVE TURNED IT IN AND NOW I CAN DO WHAT I PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wall

Notecard/Wall

I got accomplished everything i needed to that I work on my note card. It feels good that i'm actually getting somewhere with my goals, but still don't know what I'm going to do for the rest of my life. I have so many different routes that i can go that it is ridiculous.

Blown Away

The success group in class are very helpful. i got a great contact from my classmates and i am so greatful for their help. THANKS SHAKITA AND JAMES!!!!!!!!! I sent an e-mail to one of my new found contacts in AAAN and received that best e-mail ever. She was apologetic for responded to my e-mail late, but the e-mail made up for the tardiness in itself.

" Hello,I am sorry it has taken me while to get back to you. I will be more than happy to meet with you to discuss your career goals further. Shakita and James are some of my favorite students so anyone that knows them are friends of mine :0)

I have attached a nonprofit start-up guide to this email to assist you as you start your nonprofit"

A fantastic e-mail goes a long way...


I'm not able to conduct an interview with her until tomorrow or next week. my schedule is so busy that I only have time to send out e-mails. I am excited to sit down with her at talk about what it takes to start a non profit org.

unexpected interview

At my internship yesterday, I had to help my supervisor sort through boxes he had in his office that has been there since he started at children's home and aid. We got to talking about school and my plans for the future and my reasoning for working with the organization. It turned into a interview and i was able to ask a lot of follow up questions. I learned that he was from compton in california and made it out of the hood; additionally, graduating with a public affairs and business degree. He now owes his own business, properties, and his own house. We talked about coming out of college with a job sometimes seems to be imposiible, but he told me that I have to make the situation work for me. When he got out of undrgrad and started law school, he worked as a substitute teacher for income. He said it provide him statbility, which I am looking for. Eventhough he doesn't have the same career venture i am pursuing, we have similar goals. I do want to open up my own business and he has one. He went through a lot to get to where he is at now. I enjoyed our conversaton and was excited that i got to talk to him rather then just listen to what he has to dictate at me. I learned at lot from our conversation and look forward to talk to him again next week. I have found a new connect and he said that he will guide me to finding what i really want to do after undergrad.

Interview # 4

-When did you figure out your career goal?


-How long did it take for you to figure it out?


-What inspired you?

-Who did you look up too?


-What did you do to overcome hard times?


-Who supported you?


-What school did you attend?


-Did you attend graduate school?


These are the questions that I wanted to ask my interviewee, but the person i had line up, wasn't available. Even for my last interview, I had someone else in mind, but couldn't get in contact with them, so I used Ms. Fuller. If all fails, I would love to teach freshman in high school.

Interview # 3- Ms. Fuller

-When did you figure out your career goal?

During High School, I really enjoyed taking the practicum classes. I took Health rotation classes and child development classes. I enjoy the child development classes because we were able to get hands on experience. It showed me that I enjoyed teaching children, particularly younger elementary children.


-How long did it take for you to figure it out?

It took me throughout high school to figure out that i wanted to work in the education system. It wasn't until my second year of high school that I decided to work with kids in high school.

-What inspired you?

My teachers that have helped me through my school years.

-Who did you look up too?

My Freshman year English teacher Ms. Newman.

-What did you do to overcome hard times?

I talked with other students in the same field as I was. I relied on my good judgment to get me through.


-Who supported you?

My family and friends


-What school did you attend?

Loyola University

-Did you attend graduate school?

No... I as able to get a teaching position right out of college; however right now, I am working on my master's in policy studies.

Interview #2- Asia Posely

Asia is also apart of the Each 1 Teach 1 literacy program. She is involved, however she is pursing to start working on her masters in sociology. She is currently working at the UIC medical center.

Interview #1- Janisse Norman

Just a background of Janisse Norman...


Graduating with a degree in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Illinois, Janisse Norman went on to work in Corporate America for the largest steel company in North America, Ryerson, as a Financial Analyst. After a sudden layoff, she realized that her heart was into working with young people, but this time as her own boss. She is the founder/executive director of Each One Teach One Literacy program.

With knowledge of her background, I was able to continue learning why she decided to start a non profit organization rather than finding another career in Corporate America. She told me that she found herself unsatisfied with her work in Corporate America, and founded this organization as a result. As we talked more about her organization, she emphasizes her passion about the organization that she had longed to finally start. With the research that she conducted, she saw that there is an urgent need for supplementary educational assistance with regard to Mathematics, and an even more intense obligation to Black students in poor neighborhoods. Janisse was getting ready to go out of town, so I wasn’t able to get a full interview with her. I was able to ask her brief questions by phone and when we met for tutoring. She is a great motivator and has given we a chance to be apart of her organization. She has made me the tutor manager for the Universal Family Connection located on the South Side. As a team member, I will have more contact with her and will be able to learn more about her as well as learn a lot from her.