Blog 10 - Interview 2 Reflection

1. Please explain how you are spending your mentorship time (Is it at a workplace or somewhere else?  Are you shadowing?  Are you able to do tasks that are meaningfully related to the topic?  If so, what?  Are there other people who are experts in the location?  Etc...)

During my mentorship I normally volunteer at a store called upscale collectibles, where they raise money for girls who have aged out of the foster care system by selling home goods or clothes. Usually I help organize shelves and clothing racks along with setting up the store for the new and coming Christmas season. I have also volunteered at the group house in Whittier, where the girls normally live. I help Carol, my mentor, organize important papers for the store, upcoming events, and other fellow organizations.

2.  How did you find your mentor?  How did you convince this person to help you? 

 I have volunteered with Carol and the bridge of faith before high school and I have always been interested in the foster system and child services. Since Bridge of faith works with girls who have aged out of the system, I figured since I already have a lot of experience with them it would be a fun a project. It wasn't very hard to convince Carol to be my mentor because she already knows a lot about my work ethic and my commitment to the organization.

3. How would you rate your comfort level with your mentor at this point in your relationship?  How does this relate to the time you've spent so far at mentorship/with this person

I am very comfortable with Carol, mainly because of our history together. My relationship with her has made it easier to talk to her and schedule mentor time with her.

4. What went well in this interview?  Why do you think so?  What do you still need to improve?  How do you know?  How will you go about it?

I obtained a lot of information about the organization that I didn't know, and I discovered more about my mentor than i thought i would. I believe the interview went well because of our history and how hard I tried to make her comfortable. I believe I could have gotten more involved with the questions. Next time I will ask deeper questions and contribute more to the overall interview.

Recording: https://soundcloud.com/kristen353/interview-2-mentor

Blog 9 - Advisory Prep 3

1. State whether or not you currently have a mentor, and what the status of your interview is with that person (I have completed the interview, I have scheduled the interview, I have not scheduled the interview, etc).

My mentor is Carol Reza and our interview is scheduled for Monday the 26th.

2. At this point, your research is probably guiding your studies toward more specific areas within your topic.  Name the area or two you find most promising and explain your reasons.   

I have not completed all of my research, but so far I believe I am leading towards the process of ageing out of the system. The reason for this is because the organization I work for helps those types of girls and there is  not a lot of research on the topic. It would also help me better understand the girls I work with.

3. What kinds of sources do you think will help you in the next month to gain more research depth?  Where will you go to get them?

Huffington Post has many article on my topic and I believe it would help me get more personal experience from past foster kids who have not been a adopted and aged out of the system.

4. Write down a possible EQ.  Please don't worry about wording other than ensuring that it provides the option for multiple correct answers.  At this point, the senior team is most interested in understanding your thought process.

How are foster kids being taught to live on their own? or What steps are we taking to support kids who are homeless and provide them with shelter?

Blog 8: Independent Component 1 Proposal

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

- My mentor owns a thrift store to raise money for girls that have aged out of the foster care system and have no place to call home. The money mainly goes to their college funds and their necessities for health. 

- Some things i would be doing are; working at the cash register, talking to people and showing them around the store, and organizing with the girls how much money they would get for college.

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

- We have not discussed what my hours will be, but for now every Monday and/or Tuesday, whenever she needs me to work, I will be at the cash register or helping with an event. The events will most likely be held during the weekend and will contribute to my 30 hours.

3.  Explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

- The main things I will be doing are, working with the girls at the store, helping out around the homes, and raising money wherever i can to contribute to their life funds. This will help me not only understand these girls but learn what strides have been made and what is currently being done to help kids who have aged out of the foster care system.