Today I am being inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and receiving a chapter award from the ASU chapter. It's nice to be recognized for your hard work. It doesn't come easy for everyone and I can say that is certainly the case for me. I managed to finish my Statistics class with an A and am now finishing three last classes. In one of my classes, I am learning to write research grant proposals. I am really enjoying that class and hope to sharpen this skill as I see it being necessary to accomplish the things I hope to. I recently picked up my cap and gown. Graduating is a bit surreal. I can't wait to see what opportunities open up for me. I put in my first application last night. Stay tuned for change is at hand...
0 Comments
I am back from DC, enjoyed a much needed rest over the holidays with my family, am back at work, and gearing up for my last semester before I graduate with my Bachelor's Degree in Public Services and Policy. It is a year of excitement and expectation. This year I am letting go of what no longer serves me and embracing with open arms the new opportunities and relationships that will come my way in 2016. Two words for me this year...balance and change.
I am taking four classes this semester... Leadership Group Communication, Applied Statistics, Public Service Research, and my Senior Capstone Project. Aside from my studies, work, and home life, I will need to focus on updating my resume, following up with contacts I made in DC, and looking for opportunities for me once I graduate. I still have no idea where I will be. My hope is to be at a place where I can grow and build on the skills that I have now. I want to work with a team of motivated, committed individuals who are just as passionate as me about the work we do. I would have thought that would never be possible in the past, but my experience working at Glendale Community College has taught me otherwise. Working in a positive environment is so important for me. Next week, my adult son Caleb, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder and now lives in Texas because I was not able to get him any home and community based services here in Arizona will be coming for a visit. He calls me everyday to ask how my day was, what I did, to tell me he loves me, and that he can't wait to see me when he comes to visit me in Arizona. Caleb embodies the meaning of unconditional love and I am so grateful for him in my life. Today, as most weekdays in DC, I walked to the bus stop, rode to Union Station, got off and walked to the CNN building where the offices of the National Disabilities Rights Network are. I entered the building, showed my ID to the security guard and rode the elevator up to the 7th floor. This will be the last time that I do so for this stay in DC. I am filled with bittersweet feelings of excitement to get home to Arizona to be with friends and family, and sadness to say goodbye to the people of Washington, DC that I have come to love.
Washington, DC is a place, like so many, full of people who spend their time working for the government, businesses, research institutions, universities, restaurants, public transportation, and so much more. It's no longer this mysterious place where people live to make decisions that affect ordinary lives, who don't care about the common woman and man. While decisions made here do affect so many of us, I have a deep respect for those who walk to work daily to advocate on behalf of common people. NDRN is one such place. I want to express my appreciation to NDRN for the opportunity to intern this semester with them. I have learned so much about our government, public policy, national advocacy, leadership, and commitment. NDRN is committed to their membership and puts their whole heart into making sure that nothing threatens the ability of state Protection and Advocacy Centers to work on behalf of those with disabilities across our nation. This sounds simple but it is anything but that. I marvel at the willingness to plug away day after day speaking to politicians, attorneys, coalitions of non-profit disability and civil rights organizations, while monitoring legislation, supporting their membership, and educating the public at large on the issues that individuals with disabilities face. Thank you NDRN for the work you do every day, and for allowing me to join your world for a season. I will stay in touch! Bar none, the highlight of my stay in DC was when my little sister, Margaret, came for a visit the week before Thanksgiving. Margaret lives in the DFW area in Texas and I haven't been able to spend quality time with her in years. Having her all to myself for four days was a special treat.
We visited the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the National World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Women's Memorial, the Library of Congress, the Capital, and the J. Edgar Hoover FBI building. We spent time shopping, having lunch, and enjoying happy hour. This was a much needed boost over the holiday and my birthday since I would not be able to go home. Coming to Washington, DC has been a dream come true. Career path aside, being able to intern at a national advocacy organization for individuals with disabilities has been the ultimate way to experience DC. When I arrived in DC back in August, I wanted to explore if I could see myself living in DC, nail down a specific direction for post-graduation, and build a network of professional contacts. While I don't have all of the answers for the future, I have accomplished most of what I came here for.
I most definitely made friends and professional contacts that will last a life time. Living here has helped me to see that I could live in Washington, DC if the right opportunity came along. Amazingly, I can even make it without a car! Most opportunities in DC will require a Masters degree so I know that I do want to go to graduate school, but I am still determining where, when, and how. The only downside of being in DC this semester has been being away from friends and family. I would have loved to of been able to share this experience with my children. They would enjoy so much exploring this amazing city. My hope is that I can come back sometime and enjoy sharing the rich history of this city. I also like the idea of humanizing government and politics. That has been another benefit of visiting this city. Throughout the semester, The Fund for American Studies, has scheduled many guest speakers who provide career advice, professional development, and graduate school opportunities. This last week, we had opportunity to hear from two different representatives of DC graduate schools. One was for Georgetown University and their MBA program and the other was George Mason University and their law school. I have entertained the idea of both, so it was interesting to hear what it takes to apply to graduate school.
My dream has always been to go to law school but I never thought I would come near such an opportunity. My experiences at Glendale Community College and Arizona State University have shown me how much I am capable of and the fact that nothing is impossible for me if I believe. While in DC, I have asked attorneys for their advice on law school. More often than not, I was told, "Don't go." This surprised me. I was told I could advocate without going to law school, which is true but I didn't understand this reaction. Over time, I learned that right now is not a good time for the law field. There are limited job opportunities for them and it is extremely competitive for that reason. One perk of this being the case is that the law school representative said that because of this they have scholarship opportunities. I still haven't decided what I will do but I hope to figure it out as soon as possible. A masters in business has always been one of the paths to success that I have considered. As a public policy and services major, I am also earning a certificate in leadership and management. It would seem that an MBA couldn't hurt in providing me with opportunities to develop my management and leadership skills. Unlike law school, business schools are very competitive because the job market is more promising for those with an MBA as opposed to those with a law degree. Both programs are rigorous and require an intense amount of devotion. I know I want to attend graduate school but I am still deciding what path I will take as I have also considered a masters in Social Work. The Education Department this week celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). They celebrated by hosting three events and launching an IDEA 40th Anniversary event page. There was an Anniversary Reception at the Hall of States, a White House Event, and an IDEA Symposium. I was asked to attend the IDEA Symposium on behalf of NDRN. It was held at the Education Department and I was excited about this event because IDEA changed the life of my own son, as well as the lives of so many others.
The event opened up with remarks from Arne Duncan, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, Michael Yudlin, Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education, and Sue Swenson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. After introductions, we were treated to short presentations from an expert panel of University Professors who have performed research that links to special education practice. We heard experts on Early Childhood, Literacy, Math, School Climate/Social Behavior, Secondary/Transition, Inclusion, and Teacher Training. One of the topics that I researched for many years and advocated for on behalf of my son was inclusion. In my research as a stay at home mother, desperate to help her son get the services that would help him progress toward a life of independence, I came across the writings of Michael Wehmeyer of the University of Kansas. He was the speaker on Inclusion at this event! I couldn't wait to hear what he said in a group of educators. He did not disappoint, he stated that research reveals that children with disabilities can, and should, reach education standards. He said the research reveals that inclusion does work best for children with disabilities. He challenged the audience to press forward in the work of raising standards, services, and resources for individuals with disabilities. It lifted my heart to hear many in the crowd nod their head in ascension, while one lady behind me snickered and made sarcastic comments. Many educators refuse to believe what the research reveals and work against moving children with disabilities into the general education environment. It is my hope that on every level, national, state, and local, leaders will challenge education agencies to provide a fair and appropriate public education for children with disabilities. Recently, we interns were given the opportunity to attend a live recording of an interview with Wall Street Journal Columnist, Peggy Noonan. Ms. Noonan has written eight books and is best known for her role in writing speeches for President Ronald Reagan. Her most recognized speech for him was the one she wrote for him after the space shuttle, Challenger, exploded mid-air while the nation watched on live television. The space shuttle received a lot of attention because of a school teacher who was allowed to train and take part in the shuttle. School children across our nation watched as she died in this explosion. This was a very difficult speech for President Reagan to deliver but he received a significant amount of positive feedback.
Ms. Noonan was interviewed at Sirius Radio, an internet radio broadcasting organization. As we filed into the studio, we were told that we were being given a copy of her new book, The Time of Our Lives. There was excitement in the air as we took our seats and looked all around at the camera, lighting, and set for the interview. The Sirius journalist talked to Ms. Noonan about the many interesting topics in the book. She discussed people that she met throughout her career that she missed. One such person was Joan Rivers. She shared how much she respected Joan Rivers and became dear friends with her. She said that Ms. Rivers was warm, open, and inquisitive. Ms. Noonan is a lovely, intelligent, and articulate woman who I enjoyed listening to. She has a wealth of stories and experiences that we all can benefit and learn from. It always makes me happy when an individual like Peggy Noonan records their experiences in life and the lessons they learned for others to benefit from, including future generations. On this blog entry, I am supposed to write about my internship organization's strength and what, if anything, I would do differently. NDRN's strength was easy, it's people. I say this not only because I sincerely like the individuals I have come to know and work with but also because I am so impressed by their intellectual abilities, accomplishments, and commitment to the work they do. Amy Scherer is a perfect example of this. I got to sit down with Amy and pick her brain about Vocational Rehabilitation services and her career path.
Don't let that sweet face fool you, Amy is a strong advocate and attorney for individuals with disabilities. She has spent her career focused on improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. Amy's expertise at NDRN is vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities and educational efforts to support the ongoing work of attorneys that NDRN supports at each state protection and advocacy center (P&As). She spends the better part of a year working on the annual conference that NDRN puts on for the P&As. Amy is not satisfied with efforts that limit the abilities of individuals with disabilities in the workplace. She believes that individuals affected by disability can, and do, have the ability to earn a livable wage with the appropriate supports and services. Amy got a bachelor degree and masters degree before working her first post-school job at a vocational rehabilitation agency. Through her work there, she became unsatisfied and disappointed with the lack of real effort to employ individuals with disabilities outside of sheltered workshops. She decided she could do more and went back to school to pursue a law degree. Amy explains that law is multi-faceted and requires many individuals in a variety of roles. Amy focuses on research and writing, instead of practicing law in the courts. Her work is essential to the success of the disability community at large and at NDRN. The only change that I could even think of to recommend for NDRN would be to take time, quarterly, to intentionally interact directly with individuals in the community with disabilities. Because their work is on the national level, it is always good to stay in touch with why you do what you do and what the attorneys they support face and deal with. I can't say that they don't do this; it is just a thought. NDRN employs several who have disabilities themselves. They do not discriminate in employment and I respect that greatly. One of the opportunities that TFAS has arranged for us is the opportunity to visit two different embassies. Our first visit was the Hong Kong Embassy. We were given some general economic information and then we were able to ask questions. Hong Kong is interesting because is is now a part of China but it operates as a free market.
Today, we visited the Netherlands Embassy. Two embassy staff spoke to us and answered questions for us. One was an expert in defense and the other was a public policy person focusing on the Middle East and Africa. The Netherlands is very concerned about climate change. Fifty percent of the nation is below sea level. Global warming has a significant impact on them because of this. In the afternoon, for our journalism class, we met at Politico. Politico is a news organization that has grown tremendously since it started in 2007. We were taken on a tour around the newsroom and the marketing department. We also were given time to ask questions. It was particularly interesting because we learned a lot about how each one came to work at Politico and what their degrees were. In June of this year, they moved to a new building. Their offices are nice and new and have spectacular views. The National Disability Rights Network is focused on public service because we work to support state protection and advocacy centers that are federally mandated for individuals with disabilities. State Protection and Advocacy Centers (P&As) assist individuals in state facilities, in the community, and veterans in issues that require advocacy. They also do a lot of work to educate the public, organizations, and public policy makers. One issue we have been tracking and advocating heavily on is the proposed bill HR 2646, otherwise known as the Murphy Bill. This bill is specific to individuals with mental health issues.
With all of the mass shootings in schools and other public places around our country, mental health issues have taken center stage. While we at NDRN agree that services have been lacking for individuals with disabilities, HR 2646 would take big steps backwards when it comes to the rights of individuals with disabilities and mental illness. To understand our objections to this legislation, read this document, http://ndrn.org/images/Documents/Advocacy/Legislation/PAIMI_Program_Concerns.pdf. I have done a lot of work at NDRN in regards to this legislation. I have tracked the bill daily on congress.gov. I let the policy team know if there are new Co-sponsors or not and what the total number of Co-Sponsors is. I have gone through all of the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Program case reports to put together cases from each state represented on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. With this information, I constructed fact sheets for each state that could be distributed to each member of the committee. I also attended the recent mark up of the bill. It was truly interesting to watch the process of this legislation and amendments put forward live and in person. While we all want solutions that work to enhance mental healthcare accessibility to prevent violence across the country, we cannot do so by taking away individual rights of individuals with disabilities and mental illness. For those interested in learning more on this legislation, please consider reading these resources. http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/33557-mental-health-bill-caters-to-big-pharma-and-would-expand-coercive-treatments http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20151104/NEWS/151109940 http://ndrn.org/images/PAIMI/15_11_4_ACLU_Letter_to_Health_Subcmte_of_House_Energy_and_Commerce_Committee_Opposing_H_R__2646_FINAL.pdf http://ndrn.org/images/PAIMI/NCIL_Letter_of_Opposition_for_Helping_Families_in_Mental_Health_Crisis_H_R__2646.pdf One of the opportunities presented to interns is the option to meet with a mentor while in DC. This seemed like a great opportunity to me, so I signed up. We met our mentors for the first time at a nice breakfast served at TFAS on September 15th. I was pleasantly surprised when I met Lakeya Cherry, MSSW, LGSW. Lakeya is the Executive Director at The Network for Social Work Management. The Network for Social Work Management is comprised of social workers, working at all levels of management, across a broad and diverse range of human services organizations. The Network is dedicated to equipping social work managers with management skills at our annual conference and through our management standards. These standards define the characteristics associated with quality management and describe the competencies needed by those working in management positions. Their mission is "Strengthening social work leadership in health and human services." https://socialworkmanager.org/
Lakeya and I hit it off from the start. She is an intelligent, energetic, and committed leader. Our first two visits were times where we got to know each other better. We got to tell each other our stories and our goals. We have so much in common. Lakeya made herself available to me for questions anytime that I wanted and we stayed in touch between our meetings through email. Lakeya encouraged me to network with other professionals and to engage in social life. Being intentional about nurturing and caring for myself takes intention, especially with a busy work and class schedule, but with Lakeya's encouragement, I made it a priority. By the time we met again just after Halloween, I had been in DC for two months. My unique experiences through my internship helped me to form several questions that I was excited to ask Lakeya's advice about. At brunch, we caught up and I was able to ask her my questions. One of the questions I asked was whether or not it would be best to go right into graduate school or to start working somewhere and then go to graduate school later. She shared her opinions on this from a social work viewpoint and was able to tell me what some of the best graduate school programs were. I came away with a list of practical to do's that would move me forward as I continue to think of life after graduation in May. One of the adjustments of living in DC is not having my car. Many in DC do not have a car but choose to walk, take a bus, or the Metro. This lifestyle has its benefits and its drawbacks. On the one hand, there would be no car payment, no car insurance payment, no gas expenses, and no car upkeep expenses. This can save residents a lot of money.
Taking the time to navigate and plan your public transit each day based on your daily commitments and events is something that you have to get used to doing everyday. You can do a search for your scheduled meetings and find out what type of public transportation you need to take to get there if it is not in walking distance. This is essential for your time planning. You don't want to be late for your meetings and commitments. This means including a cushion for the unexpected delays that public transit can bring. One of the drawbacks of this lifestyle is the fact that you can't just jump in your car and head out whenever you want to. Another issue is going to the grocery store and shopping. I have bought a rolling cart that you can put your groceries in and roll back to your home. It can be challenging if you have to buy many canned goods or items in glass because it becomes a heavy haul. It can also be challenging depending on the distance there is to the grocery store. One benefit is the exercise that it forces you to accommodate as part of your lifestyle. Mother Theresa said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” This is what leadership is about to me. No one individual alone can create change that affects our most vulnerable citizens, but together, we can make a difference. This is the spirit that I see at NDRN. It is a team effort and everyone plays a crucial role in the mission at hand. In my internship experience, I get to watch a team of leaders work together toward a goal of supporting the Protection and Advocacy Centers in each state to do the work of advocacy for persons with disabilities. Because I am being mentored by a team of leaders, naturally, I have been given the opportunity to demonstrate leadership myself.
One component of leadership is passion. As the parent of two adult children on the autism spectrum, I am passionate about advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Each member of the NDRN team has their own reasons for working for the cause of social justice for individuals with disabilities. This runs the gamut from those who are born with disabilities to those who are now disabled as a result of going to war on behalf of our country. Some have family members that have dealt with the struggle of disability, and others have experienced it themselves. There is a deep commitment of care given in each and every decision and action that this important team of individuals takes. I have also been given the opportunity to attend meetings, briefings, and hearings that I feel are important to us as an organization. Innovation is an important characteristic of leadership. My team has also given me the opportunity to provide input and write documents that are meaningful to those that we protect and advocate for. They have given me complete freedom in creating fact sheets that will be used to advocate for more funding to better advocate for persons with disabilities. My co-workers display leadership in several ways, one of which is slowing down enough to explain what is unknown to interns. Every moment of the day is valuable to my co-workers and supervisors. They are constantly in coalition meetings, phone conferences, meetings on the hill, research, and interdepartmental meetings. This means that every moment of their day is valuable. Still, as a leader, they take the time to help me, as an intern, to understand things on the hill that come naturally to them because of the amount of their experience. One of my favorite times is our commutes to meetings. This is walking time that I can spend asking questions and listening to their wise education and direction. One of the posts that I have been asked to make is to profile an individual with a career that I aspire to. I have chosen my newest professor, Richard Benedetto. Mr. Benedetto is a professor at the American University, School of Public Affairs (http://www.american.edu/spa/faculty/benedett.cfm). Mr. Benedetto has spent his career as a political reporter for more than 40 years. He recently retired from his position as White House correspondent for the USA Today. We are reading his book, Politicians are People, Too (http://www.amazon.com/Politicians-Are-People-Richard-Benedetto/dp/0761834222). It is a memoir of Mr. Benedetto's career as a reporter.
As a child, Mr. Benedetto was very close to his grandmother and grandfather. His grandfather immigrated to the United States from Italy and was, "a proud American with a deep and sincere love for his adopted country" (Benedetto 2006). At the age of 10, Mr. Benedetto's grandfather instilled in him a respect for all politicians who serve our country, whether you agree with them on everything or not. Mr. Benedetto has realized that he first became a reporter when he would report to his grandmother each week all about the Saturday matinee that he would see. Each week there were three movies, a serial, a cartoon, and a newsreel. Mr. Benedetto has B.A. M.A. and doctoral degrees from Syracuse University. Mr. Benedetto believes that it is important to treat everyone you meet, especially if you are pursuing a career in the political arena, fairly and with dignity. He always looked for the good in people and he believes that this is deeply needed today as well. One of the trends he often observes in the media today is a hastiness in reporting and a disrespect for our political leaders. I can see that this is true. Like Mr. Benedetto, I aspire to look for the good in people. Like him, I want to treat those I encounter in the political world with fairness and respect. With the current polarization of politics, it is a challenge for anyone who participates in our great federalist government to do so. Mr. Benedetto commands respect when he walks in the room. Listening to him speak, one feels like they are getting a truly special treat. I am truly grateful to learn from such a dignified, experienced, and professional individual and I aspire to hold to the same principals in my own career. One of the spots that I like to hang out at,, when I have free time is a local jazz bar named Mr. Henry's (http://www.mrhenrysdc.com/entertainment). It is across the street from where I am living in DC. It has been around for many years. One of my favorite female artists used to sing here, Roberta Flack. Between Wednesday and Saturday, Mr. Henry's has live jazz, bluegrass, or open mic music upstairs. Since it is close and I love music, I like to go there at least once on the weekend. Everyone who works there is very friendly. They all know my name and say hello to me when I come in. Some even give me hugs now. Since being away from my family and friends back home, it has meant a lot to get to know these friendly individuals in Washington, DC.
One day I was in my apartment and I received a text from one of my friends there. She invited me to come to her home to spend some time with her, her boyfriend, and her friends on the Sunday night before Columbus day. I was excited to be invited and accepted. I arrived and we all sat around a fire pit, sipping beer and sharing stories. We all rolled with laughter and quickly clicked with one another. I realized that I could make friends wherever I end up landing after graduation and it was a good feeling. Phoenix is definitely my home but after I graduate, I will need to go where the best opportunity for me and my family takes me. My fellow interns through TFAS have given me the same feeling. We are all from all over the country and yet we all manage to enjoy each other so much. I suppose that the fact that I am an extrovert and love people helps, but if you are willing to take a chance and reach out to new people, you too could experience new friendships in a strange place. I already think about the difficulty of leaving so many that I have come to love here when it is time to go back home in December. Of course, knowing that I can catch up with my Phoenix friends and familly returns a smile to my face. Knowing people from all over the country is a good thing, especially when it comes time to hunt for a job. I know I have made life time friends here already and I am so glad. There are many types of people in Washington, DC. Being a part of an organization that works for one of the most vulnerable groups of our population presents unique challenges. NDRN advocates in DC work for their membership, which are federallly funded Protection and Advocacy Centers in each state. These centers are charged with advocating and representing persons with disabilities who are being discriminated against, denied crucial services, or locked away with no loved one advocating on their behalf. Many of their clients are persons in extreme poverty. When one advocates for the poor, one of the challenges is helping those who have always lived a life of privilege and advantage to understand the context that their clients live in. How do you help someone understand poverty who has never experienced it? How can you paint a picture of the obstacles that they face day after day? These are challenges that advocates face on a daily basis, especially in DC.
NDRN joins with other organizations to form coalitions that focus on issues of mutual interest to their clients. Yesterday, several of these organizations came together for a rally at the capital that was put together by NDD United, http://www.nddunited.org. "NDD United was established in response to the Budget Control Act of 2011, which placed austere caps on federal spending for all discretionary programs through 2021 and set the stage for sequestration starting in 2013. With so much at stake for so many programs, NDD United brought together for the first time hundreds of stakeholders from across the nondefense discretionary (NDD) sectors to call for a balanced approach to deficit reduction." With the concern of an impending shut down of our government, NDD and many other organizations rallied at the Capital to ask Congress to "Raise the Cap." Several democratic leaders came out to speak to the crowd, and the public through media, in support of the non-defense budgeted programs. We made signs, wore caps and let our voices be heard on behalf of persons with disabilities. One of the classes that I am taking this semester at GMU is a Public Policy class that focuses on teaching the interns how Washington works. One week we focused our reading on think tanks. Think tanks are organizations that are devoted to research and advocacy on topics that are of interest to the progression of our society. Many of them use their research to form inform politicians on public policies that could benefit the public. This past week, instead of discussing in class the topic that we were reading about, our professor invited us to attend a Congressional Briefing on the topic, "A Critique o the CFPB's Arbitration Study." The meeting took place on Capitol Hill in the Rayburn House office building.
Our professor moderated the event. We heard a researcher from a think tank share his research on the topic of arbitration. After he shared his research and conclusions from his research, a representative of a consumer organization rebutted the argument the researcher made and shared his own research and experiences as an attorney. When both sides were ableton present their case, the moderator opened the discussion up to the audience for a time of question and answering. Once the briefing was concluded, we students got to sit in the seats that committees normally sit in and discuss the topic of think tanks and our thoughts on the briefing that we had just heard. One of the things that I have appreciated about this professor is her ability to listen and be open to all views, in spite of the fact that she has very strong opinions on the topics we discuss. Her experience in DC is substantial and she is generous in sharing tips and recommendations for those who would like to pursue a career in DC. As an Arizona State University, Nina Mason Pulliam Scholar, I spent a good amount of time becoming familiar with Career Services. The ASU Nina representative arranged for someone to come and show us how to use the Linked In website to prepare for finding out first job after graduation. I also used the online resume services where I emailed them my resume and they provided feedback. I learned a lot from the input I was given. I believe these skills helped me in applying for and receiving the internship I am now enjoying in Washington, DC. While I haven't been able to attend any ASU Career Services events this semester, I am still learning so many fundamental and essential career skills through the TFAS program.
One of the things that we get to enjoy here are weekly events that are planned to prepare us for the next step in our journey toward building our careers. TFAS brings in Alumnis for us to listen to and have question and answer time with. Alumnis share their own experiences with TFAS and tell us how they got to the influential positions that they now hold. This week we had a Professional Development Seminar with a successful professional here in DC named Chris Ullman. We all sat around a round table with the speaker. We ate a light breakfast while he spoke to us. His topic was, How to Land a Job in DC. He is a managing director and the director of global communications for a firm that supports corporate businesses. Mr. Ullman started out by talking to us about how to market ourselves. He told us what information would be important for us to gather and put together about ourselves in this process. He encouraged us to consider both our heads and our hearts in the process. He also shared with us the value of getting critical feedback, how to build our professional network, and how to find opportunites. Finally, he encouraged us to develop a personal narrative that we could share with perspective employers during an interview. I felt empowered and determined to actively continue to work on my career path. It is an ongoing process that becomes a way of life. Mr. Ullman gave a TEDTalk once and his topic was how to "Find Your Whistle". If, like me, you are finishing up in school and considering next steps, you might want to set aside some time to listen to his TED Talk online. I know you will enjoy it. Since I arrived in mid August, it has been hot and humid in DC. Living in Phoenix has spoiled me by not having to deal too much with humidity. This past week, the weather changed and it has been cold and wet. We interns were told to always have an umbrella with us, and now we know it is true. The thing about not having a car and being an intern is that rain or shine you need to get to your classes and internship, wherever it is. I walk through the rain each morning to the bus stop where I wait for a bus to take me to Union Station. When I get off of the bus, I walk 3 or 4 blocks to the CNN building where NDRN leases office space. I have noticed that the buildings here all have a lot of security. If you are a guest, you have to check in with security with a picture id. If you regularly work in the building, you will have a badge with a special electronic device in it that you use in the elevator to get to your floor in the building. The id badges are programmed to only allow you to access your organization's floor and the lobby floor. Once you reach your floor, you will need to use your id card to get into the door of the organization. It is a very safe environment.
There is a kind of peace in my soul as I walk through the city, even as raindrops fall all around me. The pace of life in DC is extremely fast. It seems that most people are in a hurry to get where they are going. It's like they have tunnel vision and can only see where they are going and no one between here and there. Many people avoid eye contact which I find fascinating. When I need to go to George Mason University or the Fund for American Studies office for classes, I take the Metro. Learning the Metro has been an adventure in and of itself. After being here for almost 2 months, I am starting to feel like a pro. The other day I was on the Metro and we were approaching a stop on the route. All of the sudden I heard a voice of someone that sounded like an old man or someone who had a cognitive disability of some sort. He said out loud on the train, "May you help me today, please?". He repeated this phrase over and over and made his way through the train. I finally saw him and he was an African American man in his 30's with a developmental delay. It is obvious to everyone that he has a cognitive disability and is most likely homeless. There is an unspoken silence and an uncomfortable quietness in the air as those on the train avoid eye contact. Each and everyday, you come across the homeless begging for their next meal or a cold beverage. Even if you wanted to help them all, most working Americans can't. The discomfort everyone feels is knowing that they can't or won't help on a particular day. I have learned not to judge that. Everyone knows when they can and cannot give. Still, my heart broke as I imagined this man as someone's son or brother. I wondered where his family was. I wondered why he was homeless and begging for money. I imagined with horror what it would be like for my own son with a disability to ever be in that situation. I couldn't go there in my mind, it was too painful. I then wondered what he had gone through in his life. Was he loved, nurtured, and cared for, or was he neglected, abused, and unwanted? Then I wondered if he was being exploited. Was someone putting him out there with this repeated phrase and cup to collect money that would be taken from him? My thoughts eventually came back to why I am here in DC. I remember that I am here to intern for an organization that advocates for attorneys who advocate for persons with disabilities in each state. I feel more determined than ever to do the slow, hard work of advocating for individuals who cannot do so for themselves and it puts everything back in focus. I arrive at work eventually determined to give my very best to help this organization accomplish their mission successfully. I am grateful to be a part of their team, even for a limited amount of time. This is a photo of myself and all of the other TFAS interns. What an amazing group of young people. They represent all parts of our country, are bright, kind, and a joy to know. Their passion for life encourages me to believe in the future of our country.
On a typical day... I wake up to the sounds of people talking and shuffling along the sidewalk, cars honking at one another because they are in a hurry, and buses passing by to pick up individuals to take them to work just outside my window, and I smile. I get up to make coffee and breakfast before I get ready for my trek to work. I like to get up early so that I can watch some CNN or MSNBC and check my emails. I look at my calendar to determine if I will be going to any meetings outside of the office or not so that I know how to dress for the day. I also check to see if I have class that day and what assignments will be due. After I throw all of my needs for the day in a bag, I lock up and walk a block to catch a bus. The bus takes me to Union Station, where I walk the rest of the way to our office on 1st St. When I am on the bus, it is one of my favorite times. I love to people watch and the diversity of individuals in Washington never disappoints. One day, as I sat in the back of the bus, a young African American woman was talking out loud to someone on the phone. I didn't mean to eaves drop, but she was talking loudly so I couldn't help myself. She was talking to someone in high school who wanted to get a job to make money. She encouraged them that if they wanted to go to college, she needed to get involved in organizations at school. Keeping her grades up was important, but being involved in community and school clubs was something colleges looked at too. I nodded up and down in agreement with her wise words. She had a way with the young person she spoke to. She noticed my approval and eventually got off of the phone. She told me it was her sister she was talking to. I told her that it wasn't too late for her to go to college either and not to give up on herself either because she had a good head on her shoulders. She smiled and said people tell her that all of the time. She says they tell her she should work with teenage kids. She responded, but I don't have any patience for them. I tell it like it is. I responded, "that is exactly what they need!" We reached Union Station and got off of the bus together. She told me that she was only twenty six years old and that her and her daughter were homeless. She had a job but couldn't find affordable housing and couldn't get any help from public services. Sometimes she stays at her boyfriends place or a friends place but she has a daughter with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I smile and tell her that I am the mother of two adult children with ASD. I told her how I went back to school after my divorce, my age, and where I was interning. She was shocked but wanted to take my number and gave me hers. We needed to both go to work so we said goodbye and got ready to depart in our separate directions. I said, oh come on and reached out and gave her a hug. I told her to not give up on herself, her daughter, or her dreams. It felt great to know that I was exactly where I needed to be at that moment. When I get to work, I check on the status of a bill of interest to my organization to see if there are any new Co-sponsors. I let three of the individuals I work with know through email. I do research on bills of interest, worked on an Autism fact sheet, organizing data to build a case for more funding, and attend meetings with my co-workers or in their behalf. Yesterday, we had a staff meeting and I got to learn about all of the work the different team members have been working on. I loved hearing what they are working on and the dynamic of the team. I marvel at the make up of the team and am impressed with their knowledge. I leave to go home at 5 most days but leave early on one day to get to class. One of the realities of Washington, DC that I have wrestled with since I have been here is the stark contrast of the privileged and homeless here. On the same streets you see the wealthy and the poor. I remember being shocked by the amount of homelessness in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the same here. It is difficult to walk by human beings who have made a piece of the paved sidewalk their home. They have stacks and bundles of what little belongings they can manage. They spread blankets on the ground to sleep. Day after day you walk by them. Sometimes you give some change or money in your pocket but as an intern in an expensive city, I can't do it everyday. I begin to avoid eye contact because I don't want to see the hurt and need in their eyes, but not be able to help. I am unable to "not" see them though.
As I walk through the city to go to work or run my errands, I wonder what their story is. I wonder where their family is and how they feel about their loved ones situation. I see shame in many of their eyes but I think about how many of us are one or two paychecks away from a similar fate. Most of these individuals obviously have mental health issues or issues with addiction and substance abuse. Many of the privileged walk by to attend meetings to decide their fate. Will they fund programs to help them, will they cut funding, will they delay decisions that directly affect the lives of those they walk by everyday? Do they even see them anymore? Some days, I look again and I see a kind word being given, a sincere "how are you? being said, and generosity being displayed to these souls wandering the streets. I am touched and I appreciate human kindness. One of the reasons you can see the homeless everywhere you go in DC is because the homeless are not forced to leave public spaces. This means that in the evening when the post office closes, many lay on the pavement lined up one after another to sleep, under the protection of the post office's covered walkway. They sleep next to all of the memorials, statues, historic buildings, and public parks. I feel that at least this is one thing they are doing right here. The privileged and the homeless coexist in this city. They don't try to force them to leave. They accept them. They are our neighbors... but still I wish there was more for them. On the 4th of September, The Fund for American Studies (TFAS), took our group of interns on a tour of the Library of Congress. What a stunningly beautiful building, full of such rich treasures. The artistry invested in the architecture and paintings are breathtaking. You sense the love of our founding mothers and fathers in the detailed care of every aspect of the library. If you get a special pass, you can actually read and study in the library. This has been my favorite place to visit thus far. The librarian who took us on the tour was so knowledgeable and filled with pride to be working in such an amazing place. Her mother was an immigrant to this country. There are copies of the bible and other historical writings that are in no other place. Being in Washington, DC, I am reminded how essential education is to our children and our children's children. It makes me more determined than ever to work on the behalf of marginalized citizens. I am conscious of my own privilege to be here and to see the things I am seeing and learning. This trip has been possible because of the generosity of the Nina Mason Pulliam Trust and the Fund for American Studies. Another organization that works with TFAS is the WISH foundation. This non-profit owns many buildings throughout DC, that they lease to different organizations for housing for interns. I have been told that I am not the oldest intern ever, but I am definitely the oldest intern here right now. This makes me feel even more honored and grateful. Knowing that individuals believe in your ability and are willing to invest in you is humbling and has touched my heart forever. Thank you.
|
Daphne ThompsonPursuing a Bachelor Degree in Public Services and Policy, Daphne is starting her senior year this fall. Archives
March 2016
Categories
All
|