FINAL post

I can NOT believe this is my final post for this internship, and the end of my "college career". I went to a career workshop last month and the information they had to offer was interesting. I learned about to be a manager, and how to execute people. Many of the things they had to offer I've had the opportunity to experience throughout my work experience. Having gone to this workshop, I reinforced my learning's from "life experience" and it has sunken further into my mentality.

Like I've mentioned in previous blogs, I have a difficult managing people and delegating tasks. I have always been put into positions where I've been responsible for these tasks, but hearing others speak about it is interesting.

If there is anything I've learned throughout college, it is that the combination between real life experience and formal education is what people need in order to make things happen. People need to use the information they've obtained throughout their lives (with the combination of real experiences and formal teachings) and apply them to their lives.

For me personally, I'm excited to see where the next journey will take me, and the people I will encounter in the experiences.

Schedule Requests

 Managing a staff can propose difficulties at times, especially when your working in an inconsistent industry. I've recently stepped back from the position I was internship-ing with at Lola, and am working there part time. I'm also working part time at a restaurant that just opened (if I haven't mentioned that before). Holding the responsibility of hiring/firing, scheduling, ordering (etc) at lola has made me realize the qualifications I have.

Since I was 17, I've been the person responsible for doing ordering (etc) for the businesses I've worked at. Having started with this new company, it makes me happy that I have not opened myself up for this responsibility. I've also realized that I'm extremely qualified for positions that I haven't opened myself up for in the past. The new restaurant I'm at is so unorganized and it makes me realize how qualified I am to manage those responsibilities.

I don't have any intentions to put forth more responsibities at this restaurant, but I'm interested to see where it goes.

Resources

I'm really excited to see where Lola goes in the future. I've watched the company change quite a bit during my time with them, and just now they seem to have a more forward, global thinking attitude. I continue to stay with the company for a while after graduation, while searching for more opportunities.

Lola has grown as a company while I've been with them, and they seem to be headed in a direction with a much larger scale, reaching many more people, creating even more resources. I don't know how this semester has completely swept past me, and I'm just beginning to put everything together.

Internet Conference

Today, I did my first Internet conference via ASU Career Services. I'm not a very technical person, so this was extremely new and challenging for me. However, the way ASU set up the connection, was helpful.

I was somewhat nervous at first, because the "host" was a couple of minutes late, so i was worried I wasn't going to be able to connect. I thought the set up was going to be more like your basic "live chat" but the lecture went into detail, and I felt like I was in the classroom. They presented slides similar to what you would see in the classroom.

I was quickly lead to call a link posted on the site, but haven't done so yet because I didn't have my phone at the time. I look forward to having more experiences like this as my career develops.

Using Networks

I feel fortunate because I've met a lot of key political members in Arizona throughout this experience. I've  started paying more attention to the things people are discussing around me, and the different topics that come up.

After I get my degree, I'm planning my next move. I'm going to use the information I've obtained through out this experience and begin using the social capitol I've gained over the years. It is my goal to maybe do another internship when the semester ends and see where that experience takes me.

Social Networking

Throughout college I've learned that it is not what you know, but who you know. Having the duo of school and work has taught me the dynmaics of both education and work. It has taught me that you need to have a "background/following/history/backing, etc" in order to have a high ranking in society.

I'm lucky to be with Lola because I've been fortunante to meet different members of political parties, in a setting that is different than normal. I don't personally interact with them when they are fighting for office. I see them on a daily basis, in an instance where they need MY services.

It has been educational for me. Applying my "real world knowledge' to the "real world." I've learned a lot about myself, the industry, success, education, life...and so many other things. I'm anxious to see where the resources I've compiled take me.

Leaving Lola

It's been a long run working for this company so far, and I genuinely enjoy every moment of it. This semester so far has been really good and motivational for me. I've worked myself through college, and have always felt so much restraint in doing so. I am extremely dedicated to Lola, and the restaurant I'm employed at, and I've always had a difficult time putting school on the top of my priority list. When "the hand that feeds me" requests something of me, I'm happy to comply. I have a difficult time prioritizing school before this.

Because I'm about to graduate, I realize I am able to dedicate my energy towards my job, because I've put in the work towards a degree. I imagine so many doors opening for me, and opportunities I can actually respond to. I've had people offer different opportunities to me in the past, but school has always rooted me here.

I'm anxious to see where this journey takes me next. This may sound cheesy (and embarrassing to post on a public forum) but this is the best time of my life. I have a 5 month old son, a degree, and so much motivation...

Leadership Styles

I think I've mentioned this in a previous blog, but I've learned a lot about leadership this semester. It can really effect how people are manage and tasks are properly delegated. As the semester is wrapping up and this internship is too, I'm starting to see myself as a leader. I'm trying to be more effective and consious of the opportunities around me.

I've been fortunate to recieve promotions in every job I've had. This opportunities have hindered my school and other tasks at time, but I've appreciated ever yone. Now that school is almost done I can focus my energy on developing my work skills and be productive. If i can work hard and stay focused, I hopefully will see good results.

Wrapping up

This semester has gone by extremely fast, and I'm happy to be doing my internship during my last one. I've learned a lot about myself this semester, and what transitions I need to take. Graduation opens a lot of doors and provides for new opportunities. I'm curious to see where I go after this.
I'm really considering doing an internship to enhance my resume when I'm done. I'm fortunate to have my family around to watch my son, and should use this as an opportunity to better myself (espeically economically).

I'll write more on this topic later..

People

While dealing with people in numerous different industries having good communication skills are often key to developing and maintaining different relationships. maintaining good relationships with people can depend on the way you speak to one another. what has been disappointing during my internship is the way people think it okay to speak to others. it is as if they left their kindergarden values at home when leaving their home in the morning.

Elections

It has been a pretty boring week during my internship. The most eventful situations that have aroused, deal with the elections. A lot of people have been asking "what are you going to do when you graduate," and I don't exactly have a response for them. What this week did was spark conversation about city planning, and development. With prop 203, I started to think about city development.

Who is going to decide where dispensaries go, if the law passes?
Who is deciding this in the states where it has passed?
What do I need to do in order to get involved in this?

I guess I'm realizing the reality of the situation around me. I realize that graduation is just about a month away, and I'm expected to use my degree. I'm expected to start the next chapter in my life, and move along, away from college.
Scary.

Lights out

As I've mentioned in previous blogs, my leadership class this semester relates to the internship. One thing we talked about is a leaders ability to improv. When I was at my internship the other day, we were full of customers and the power went out. To my surprise, my boss walked out the door and left me there to take over the situation.

I instantly began adapting to the situation and taking control of how to ring people up, and provide them with services throughout. What had actually happened was that the business next door to us forgot to pay their power bill. When APS went to shut off their power, they turned off the wrong on. That left us without power at Lola, and an extremely unhappy business owner.

I had to wait for the man from APS to come out and fix the situation while speaking with representatives from the company. This was the first time I've ever had to deal with a serious situation in relation to business protocol before and it was a worth-while lesson.

Handi-capped

So this week during my intership, I experienced a somewhat controversial situation. There was a political rally meeting up in our area, and one of they women who arrived for the even was handicapped. When she came in, looking to use the restroom she could not fit. Her wheelchair was unable to get through the hallway. My first thought was "isn't there regulations on business owners," in regards to equal access. People should all have the ability to use facilities, or else they business can be accused of discrimination.

The women originally left out of frustration, but when I went out and spoke with her, we rectified the situation. We went back the hallway together and reorganized the passage way. Once in the bathroom we needed to move a table and trash can, for better access.

I felt really bad about the situation because I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for her. I just hope that she feels welcomed back, and not uncomfortable with the situation.

Delegation

So...I've always had a difficult time defining myself as a leader. This blog and my urban leadership class this semester seem to parallel in many ways. I was doing the reading for next weeks class and it spoke about how to delegate tasks to subordinates. This is something I've always had a difficult time doing, and struggle with in my internship.

One of the things they talk about is building trust with your team, in order to move forward together. I guess it doesn't make much sense to be burdening myself with the bulk of the responsibility and pressure, when there are perfectly good people around me, who are willing and able to help.

I think I'm going to sit down tomorrow and make a list of different tasks which I'm able to delegate to the other people working here, and see how it goes.

wish me luck

Start your engine

So...
on top of hospital bills, and other finances I'm recently encouring due to my son, my car broke down. I drive a 2005 chevy cobalt..which I purchased new. This car is nearly 6 years old, and something happened the other day. My sister was borrowing it to go to the gym, and on her way home, she heard a loud "clank."

With this clank came the lack of ability to brake or steer entirely. There was an extreme amount of oil that was spewing from the car, and she was able to pull over. After having the car towed to the local mechanic, I learned the costs I'd endour was nearly $5000.

It looks like somehow..my 6 year old car...needs an entirely new engine.

No Sales Tax

This was an interesting week during my internship, in addition to having a hectic week all around. I met and spoke with some relatively interesting people, who were visiting from out of town. Some of the things we spoke about included the differences between Oregon and Phoenix. For many reasons, I've been drawn towards the Northwestern part of the country. Something one of the individuals mentioned was the fact that there is no sales tax in Oregon. Did you know that?

Another thing that's happened recently, in my world, deals with politics. I've been trying to pay close attention to what's going on in the world around me. Yesterday I drove past a billboard that listed all of the propositions. This inspired me to research all of them, and prepare myself to made education decisions on this upcoming election.

DONT FORGET TO VOTE

Politically Incorrect

While politics arise often during my internship, I typically steer clear. The discussing that caught my attention this week however, was too much for me to bare. There was a women who sat across from me, and was skimming through photographs. They were black and whites from the protest during the signing of sb 1070. The images were startling and affective, speaking volumes of the tension that was there. I don't know how many people were there, but it was extremely moving.

Is everyone ready for the election next month? Do we know about the different propositions?
Stay Educated.

Leadership

Currently, I'm taking an Urban Leadership course, while relates to what I've got going on with my internship. One of the things we discussed in class yesterday was that when power distribution is equal in a company the more productive that company is. I wish this concept could work where I'm at right now. i think this would make the employees more accountable, and reliable. If everyone is at the same level of "power" then I think people would be more inclined to go above and beyond, in more cases. People would hold themselves accountable for being on time, and being respectful to coworkers.
Originally, when I heard this, I didn't think it made much sense. In America, many of our companies are run in a hierarchical structure, and that seems to be the most preferred model. I don't know what I think works best for society, or what I think I work best with. I think it depends on the type of organization your working for.

More scheduling Conflicts

This week at my internship, I tried to write the schedule weeks out in advanced. I spoke with the owner, and he agreed it would be beneficial for the staff. Most of my reasoning involves making sure that people are aware of when they are expected to come in. A couple of employees have left while I've been here, and no new employees come to replace them.
Another issue I'm having with the staff is their inability to be on time. Without exposing too much information about the company, it is unfair to everyone. People are stuck staying after their shifts, waiting for co-workers to relieve them, and while they wait, they are unpaid. In fact, the person who is supposed to come in at say 1, starts getting paid at that time, regardless of it they are there or not.  Does that make sense?

Wow

When I walked into work today, I was shocked by the dirtiness of the place. I instantly began restocking, cleaning, and preparing the place for the day. While I am relatively timid at work now, I know there will come an opportunity for me to express my expectations. I strongly feel that people should leave a place the way they entered and first experienced it.

I also began scheduling for both locations, central and downtown. This has deemed itself the most difficult task thus far, simply because people work there part time. When a comany has a lot of part time employees, it makes it difficult to schedule around other requests. I've also been asked by my co-workers to speak with my boss about his hiring choice, and I feel anxious about that. I wish there was a seamless way of approaching this situation. I think my best bet is to take a couple days, and get back to it.

I'll keep you posted.

The hands on experience that I've been able to undergo has helped me develop a high comfort level in the workplace. On a daily basis, we experience the community in a number of different venues. We meet people who work in politics, visitors, students and local servers in the community. One topic of discussion that has fluttered around the workforce is Governor Jane B.'s communication slip up in the media.

I find it interesting that its always been a "taboo" to speak about politics in the work place. The experiences I've had, is that people are relatively open minded when it comes to that discussion, and will listen to both sides of an issue. The term "politics" can mean a number of different things to different people. It can mean physical politics, or the politics within a company. It will be interesting to see how this pans out in the future.

Liam Gryphon

Since this is my first blog, I decided to write about something personal to give other bloggers some insight into my life. This summer, I gave birth to the most amazing little boy, whose name is Liam. The experiences I've endured the past few months of my life have been groundbreaking and life changing. I really feel blessed, and fortunate to have such an amazing boy.

One thing I experienced at my internship, that also made me feel blessed, was a conversation with a young man. He came in and asked if he looked familiar, which he did. I told him yes, but realized he was talking 'slower' than average, and I didn't remember that. He then went on to tell me that he was in a bad accident, and experienced brain damage.

This story, and ones like this, make me thankful for my health. It makes me realize how quickly life can change, or even end. I really don't think "thank you" is ever overstated, and that we need to live each day as positively and powerfully as we can. Its impossible to tell what the future might hold for us. I look forward to sharing the next few months with everyone as we discuss what we learn throughout the semester.