#sycep2014

I cannot list only one thing or person that has influenced my SYCEP experience. Ten Thousand Villages, my amazing co-workers, fantastic facilitators, and the SYCEP members all contributed to create a great experience. 

I honestly did not expect my co-workers to be as great as they were before I worked at Ten Thousand Villages. The last day I was there, they showed me something. It wasn’t any tangible thing, but it was just kindness. I went out to Paper Source on my lunch break to buy them a card, but on the way, I was having a crazy heart ache (2nd time in two weeks). I came back and told my co-worker Anne about it, and she just started getting worried. My following nose bleed made her even more worried. She just showed many small acts of kindness that built up to be one big one. Then the assistant manager, Carly, came in to tell me to go home early because she was freaking out too. Before I left, she gave me a little good-bye speech, telling me how I lifted her spirits when I was there. She said I always had a positive attitude and that even when she is pissed, I just turn it around. I was actually surprised to hear that, but those were the best words I have ever heard in that store. People never really get cheesy until the end of something. 

All these people have a name tag and that name tag either says “Assistant Manager” or “Manager” or “Sales Associate. But after a short amount of time, I figured out how they were each different. Anne is a frank, sweet, and independent woman who I would go to for advice or just to chat. Carly is a person of surprises despite her soft spoken voice. She is also organized and a great leader (did i mention she writes a lot of poetry???). I can always go to her when I have a rough time fabricating ideas or making decisions. Darlene, my manager, is an experienced and sweet person. She knows how to fix any difficult customers and I would go to her for any general problems that does not involve technology. Brittish is only a few years apart from me, so we clicked on right away. I would say she is pretty similar to me; moreover, she is facing the same problems and feelings. Amanda is the adorable dork who would have discussions about musicals, the Great Gatsby, or plays with me (dork has a positive connotation in my perspective). My point to all this listing is that there are few parameters in Ten Thousand Villages. I can go to any of these people with any types of problems. They have a myriad of experiences, educated minds, and great attitudes, and that really enhanced my experience at SYCEP. 

My experience at SYCEP this year is definitely one of the best things that ever happened to me. Before joining this program, I did not have a clear career path set in my mind. This was a problem because I do not have much time left until I graduate from high school and enter college. I was not confident with working because I always felt inexperienced and lack of skills. I was never aware of my strengths but I was sure about my weaknesses. However, after going through the six weeks of work training, I learned so much from everyone here within the program and I felt myself change as a person. I won’t forget the memories I made here and this experience would not be possible if I didn’t have the supportive people who positively influenced me on this journey.

The first group of people I would say who influenced my experience would be my co-workers, advocates, and supervisors at the Victim/Witness Services of South Philadelphia. This is because they were so open minded and supportive on my first job. Everybody at the office were really patient and friendly. The atmosphere in this environment made me feel so comfortable and motivated to work. On my first day, I made several mistakes on my assignments. I highlighted some names of victims who were not eligible for the services we provide. My supervisor reassured me and after a while, I feel myself improve. My supervisor and the advocates gave me advice, saying a first job is always difficult in the beginning but I will get the hang of it. This is true. On days when we have preliminary hearings or special events, we would get together and chat about our lives or buy coffee together. We got to share great stories, both funny and interesting which made my work days fun.

Second, My co-worker, Windie, who is also part of the SYCEP team is really amazing. We look out for eachother at work all the time. Whenever I come across a problem while inputting data on the computer, she was always next to me offering to help. We made many memories together, from walking to Dunkin Donuts to order drinks on our breaks, to singing while nobody was in the room, and to planning for a surprise party for our co-workers. Windie and I been through a lot of strange situations together too, like that time when a stranger tried talking to us but we helped each other get out safely. She was also there for me when I needed someone to go shopping with and we walked in the rain together to get food for the party. Windie is not only a coworker to me, but also a sister and friend.

Third, the SYCEP staff at BPSOS were definitely a positive influence for my experience this summer. They really encouraged other youths and I to work hard on our resumes and cover letters which are really important for future job employment. My mentor named Jonathan, held professional development seminars that were really educational and of course professional. His workshops and advice on being professional inspired me to be a better worker and person in the future. I am grateful to learn more about the working field because of him and I will use the tips I learned here.

Last but not least, I would like to say that my older sister played an important role in my SYCEP experience. Although she is a staff member for this program, she has been very supportive to me as well. She looks out for me in many ways despite how strict she can be because I am her younger sister. However, even though we are family, she treats me as any other youth at the program so I could learn more about the work field. This is great because I am able to learn how to be responsible for my own self. My sister is also, really inspiring. Even though she knows the effects of certain things, she wants me to experience them first by making me decide on my own. She is like my own mentor, at home and work, which can be really funny and scary at times.

To sum it up, my SYCEP experience was really amazing. My co-workers, advocates, and supervisors, at my work site as well as the staff members of the SYCEP team made my first job experience wonderful. I am able to grow and build self-esteem. I am also very happy to share this memory with them, and I will miss it a lot once graduation comes. But this experience will never be forgotten because it was one of the best experience I ever had. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog posts! 

-Kristina Var 

Week #6

Looking back on my experience at SYCEP, it was fairly interesting in a way. On days that I began not being in the best condition for my health, I found some strength through the people I worked with in the office: the receptionist and the nurse. Whenever we get some downtime in-between patients, they always found a way to make me smile. I specifically bonded with the receptionist since I was mainly around the front desk most of the time. She's such a likable person that if you met her in person, you would love her positive energy regardless of the mood you're in. The best way I can describe her is like a timid shy friend who will burst into joy after you get to know more about them.

On top of that, the optometrist that I shadowed every now and then has made some of my workdays even better. She was a gentle soul with much sternness and confidence. Whenever I got the chance to have a long talk with her, she would give me words of wisdom in such a way that it was like saying, "I know that I'm your boss, but I have the concern of a mother." On top of that she acted as a teacher as I was guided through the subject of optometry, and explained the material down to the level I was able to comprehend her explanation. I must say due to her, she made so that I would enjoy my work and gain the most experience for my summer. 

[ It’s been a pleasure being a part of SYCEP 2014! Thanks to the staff for their dedication and thank you all for making this summer another great experience. (: Too bad we didn't have more time to get to know each other. ]

     within the four week of this program i got to learned an new things about building career skills, communicate with people by taking sharing learning from the from the other worker in this program and the most important i got an job experience. By attending the professional and personal development training i gained the habit talking and sharing views and ideas to the other .  

  This program has positively influence to achieve my goal by giving key lesson through presentation , workshop, reading and writing. And also encourage about building up good community and provide services to the community. In this program i got to learn many thing that could possibly helpful to aheive my goal and made my career.

This SYCEP experience was my first "job". Working at my first job at Chinatown Learning Center, was my first work experience, and of course I'll never forget it, nobody ever forgets their first job. My worksite was wonderful. I have worked with kids before, but the kids I worked with at CLC were amazing! The kids made me smile and laugh so much, they are so full of life, and always had such funny stories to tell me. I enjoyed it when I was able to read to the kids during circle and even being in charge of circle time. I can go on and on about the amazing kids I worked with, but I won't. On my last day yesterday, it was bittersweet, and I was a little emotional leaving, the kids were all saying bye to me and giving me hugs. I never would have thought I'd get so attached to the kids. My worksite made my SYCEP experience great, and memorable.

My SYCEP experience was also great because I had wonderful mentors. Johnathan, who I learned so much from during the PD seminars, was great. I'm gad that my SYCEP experience included an education aspect, because I learned a lot about resumes, and cover letters, but more importantly how to network. My other mentor Kimberly was also great, she was always looking out for me, and making sure everything was going well. It was nice to have someone who was always concerned about how things were going.

"Discuss who and what has positively affected your SYCEP experience. Be as creative as you like."

You said be creative and, since we won at the expo, and they did not allow us to give an acceptance speech, I have decided to write one:

We all started our internship about six weeks ago. Some of us did not know what to expect. Some of us did; they have done this before. But, in the end, it is an experience that we will remember. This was my first work experience and interning experience. It seems like I’ve haven’t grown that much. But, maybe that’s a part of it: realizing that we have big shoes to fill. And, that we have taken a very important step to obtain the career we want. And, for that, I am thankful for everyone who has made this experience what is was.[wait for applause]

I would like to first thank Omar Fisher.[wait for applause] For his willingness to let us participate in his laboratory, he was the one who made this possible. Simply put, he really did not really need the extra six hands, but he still took us on as employees. Next I would like to thank the SYCEP team,Jonathan, Denis, and Kimberly. They have worked relentlessly so that every work site could reach it’s full potential as a learning experience. And finally, but the least, BoatPeopleSOS and PYN, in general, for their funding, support, and sponsorship.[wait for applause]

Next, I would like to thank the people who made the daily routine more enjoyable. Megan Tabler and Jerry Pawlish tried to make the work as riveting as possible by singing songs from Frozen, talking about Pokemon, and giving us cookies.[wait for laughter] And, I would like to thank everyone else in the laboratory for trying to make the the music more diverse. No joke, I was so happy when we were not listening to Frozen songs.[wait for laughter]

I also would like to thank Helen, who did not directly work with us. But, she did walk us through all the necessary training before working in the laboratory.

Let me also thank my coworkers, Brendan and Thatayana. They were always dedicated to the job and always had a smile on their faces.

  When my first customer came, Nga said that she would show me the first model procedure so I could follow the it for my next person. It was not easy like I thought because of many unknown documents or steps that I needed to take to complete the form. Fortunately, Nga was very enthusiastic and kind with me because she taught me every single step to avoid making mistake because our office was taking full responsibilities from completing the insurance application.

  Day by day, I got used to the procedure of my daily internship. However, the job was not only about insurance application but also translation. At the beginning, I thought it was simple but the reality was totally conflict with my expectation. When I translated, there were many words that I could not translate with exact meaning. I had to translate in an understandable way between two language which made sense for audience. Whenever i was struggling with difficult word, Nga supported me and made my work became smoothly.