Interview Supervisor

My supervisor's main job responsibilities:

·         Develop and oversee all fund development strategies and campaigns.

·         Plan and successfully execute all special events and all other donor-related activities.

·         Conceptualize and implement annual direct-mail campaign including acquiring and guiding all vendors (design, print, etc.).

·         Create and edit monthly newsletter and website content, press releases and other written materials.

·         Collaborate with current and past Board members to increase overall fundraising goals.

·         Steward relationships with other current investors. Research and cultivate relationships with new prospects.

·         Manage incoming funds and in-kind gifts; oversee proper tracking and follow-up with all corporate and individual donors.

How did she choose her career? What type of education or training is needed for this position?

                                                                                       

This career actually chose her.  She did Corporate Event Planning for a long time after finishing college with a degree in Communication.  She thoroughly enjoyed the industry but at the same time she walked away from each event wondering what would've happened if the client had given just a portion of the amount that they had spent on their event to a charity.  Even 10-20% would've made a huge difference to a local organization and wouldn't have made a difference to the guests attending the event.  This steered her into non-profit event planning where all of the focus was on raising money. 

What advice would you give to someone interested in this field?

Her advice would be find a cause that one cares about and help it to advance. Also, don't just focus on raising funds. Focus in on raising awareness as well.

Do you notice any new trends in the field? Every year it is harder and harder to fundraise. There are so many good causes and organizations out there so the funding has become stretched pretty thin. In addition, the expansion of social media makes it hard for donors to choose which agency they should give to because they are bombarded left and right. This translates into smaller gifts to many organizations instead of one or two major gifts to the agency they care most about.

Why would you be interested in this career or position? 

I honestly would be interested in this position or career path because as Jessica says about caring for causes and being passionate in helping to advance it. I have that heart and desire, to contribute my support wherever is needed and most deserved. Every opportunity I have to help in anything, I am there. Thus, I have experience in the fundraising background through being on the Executive Board of a health and wellness organization—Downtown Phoenix Campus (DPC) Aware. I enjoy coming up with ideas and fundraising strategies to raise money for deserving causes. 

Free Write #6: I am Blessed

The most valuable gifts in life cannot be bought. That is people, their time, presence, support, love, affection and appreciation. 

It is important that we keep those in our lives who loves us, motivates us, encourages us, enhances us and brings out the best light in us a little closer to our hearts. 

Reminiscing on everything that came my way throughout my undergraduate experience, I am incredible blessed to have such an amazing, strong willed, inspiring and gorgeous young lady come across my path two years ago--my best friend Corina.

It is not everyday that you meet people as herself. She's one of the most selfless, giving, caring, kindhearted, understanding, loving individual one can come into contact with. Through everything, we always figured it out and continued to support each other. 

She has changed and brightened my life more than she knows. She is indeed very special and I will continue to show her in this lifetime friendship of ours. I am lucky to have her!

Corina Bear, thank you for being my best friend and everything you've brought to my life. Undergraduate would not have been the same without you playing a big role in it. You rock and I love you. 

Career Service Experience

I recent attended a career service event and it was beneficial. It allowed me to network with those who shared similar interests and goals as myself. Additionally, with graduation around the corner--it was great to attend different workshops to help further strengthen my skills for the work field. I was able to pick up on some useful tips for interviews, what's necessary to say during interviews and what is not and so on.

I recommend my colleagues to attend one if you have not already. It is very useful and there for us as a guidance to our career paths and figure out what's next. Go Class of 2015!

Free Write #5: Share What We Do Have

Life is about sharing what we do have. I may not have much but I do have a heart. A heart filled with love and kindness that I'm gonna continue sharing however I can because the world needs this. We should not tear down what we can help build up. Be an angel to someone and make an impact on their life.You never know how much your love and kindness can move another person's mountain and help them find light. Be that person! 

Free Write #4: Life Can Make a Drastic Turn

A week ago or so, I was feeling icky all day. The bed was my best friend. I decided to go study and get some air. On my way back, my life almost made a drastic turn. I got on the west bound lightrail to Central & Camelback but missed my stop because I got distracted by a message on Facebook. 

I didn't realize 'til the next stop-7th Avenue & Camelback that I had missed my stop. When I got off, the lightrail station stated that the next East Bound will be coming in four mins. I waited and then hopped on when it came. 

I was not feeling very well and somehow thought I had just gotten off the West Bound (rather than the East Bound). Therefore I thought I could safely cross because the lightrail would be going the opposite direction of me. Of course, that was not the case. 

As I crossed, I didn't realize until the lightrail almost hit me. As we all know, the lightrail goes pretty fast. I felt like a guardian angel was sent to protect me during that time because there was no way my human self could have made it out of the tracks quick enough. 

The event that took place, changed my life and how I view it even more. I was moved to tears afterwards. It was so surreal!

My point of this message: Don't take life and others for granted. Cherish life and your fond moments with those you value, love to the fullest, be people's sunlight, forgive and forget, don't push those who cares for you away, live as if there's no tomorrow and everything along those lines. 

Tomorrow isn't promised and anything can change within a blink of an eye. Glad I'm still here and able to write about this.

Free Write #3: One Foot Foward

One foot forward, the other one follows. Goodbye past, thank you for the pains that made me stronger and the blessings to endure the events I have had to finish during my college experience. Here's to a healthier, happier and stronger relationship with important people in my life and positive lifestyle. 

Life is way too short and precious to have our problems be the center of attention. I choose joy, love, appreciation, support and everything positive to be main. This is the path I'm taking while walking down this track as I approach year 24--light! 

Life can be difficult and test our limits but it's how we make it! Keep your head up and never ever give up. Don't ever let anyone or anything dim your light.

Typical Day at Internship

Being a college student, one lacks sleep. I think we can all relate to this topic. Due to my lack of sleep, I tend to struggle getting up for my internship in the mornings. Going to my internship tired, means that the first station I come to every morning would have to be the kitchen to make coffee. After I made my yummy cup of coffee, I would then walk to my desk to turn on the computer and log into gmail to check for updates.

After emails have been checked, I begin by finishing tasks that were not completed the day before. If those are already done, I start on a new project. I usually finish whatever is handed to me on the same day because I have the mentality to complete things needed as earliest as possible. I like to start on something new the next day and dislike to work on the same thing for a long period. Therefore, if I can finish projects within a one day or two, I will do so.

Due to working on a small team, I usually assist where is needed so I tend to bounce around in various tasks. I usually help enter data, write thank you letters to mentors, make calls to potential Bigs who showed interest during our events in becoming a Big Brother or Sister, print/cut/put labels on marketing materials, send emails for updates and so on. It depends on the day and what needs to be done but those are the typical tasks.

I usually finish what I have to finish before taking my lunch break because I dislike having to come back to things. Finally, lunch and taking a little break to re-energize myself. When I come back, I either work on what I was currently working on or start a new task...if nothing else needs to be done, I work on other responsibilities (e.g. school assignments). Before I know it, 5pm arrives and I am done with another day of my internship.

Free Write #2: Be Kind Today and Everyday

Beginning of this week, I took the lightrail to where I was parked to head home. There was a disabled man who did not seem mentally well and exhausted. His wheelchair was right by the door way and his bag kept sagging on the floor. It censored the door to continuously open and close during stops. No one did anything to help him as his wheelchair rolled back and forth and the door kept hitting his head. I told myself, "okay, I will be that someone." Immediately, I dropped my belongings to help him. After I helped him, I was the one who fell to the ground. Although the wheelchair and bag were heavy, leaving me to end up on the ground--it did not matter. I was just glad I could help him.

However, I was a bit disappointed on the fact that people saw me struggling to help the man but no one did anything to assist, other than sitting there and starring at me. All in all, I did it! I am glad I could help the man out. He thanked me for my kind-heart and for being the person who helped him while no one did. My point of this story: help when you see someone in need. Spread love and kindness, do it today, do it everyday!

Free Write #1: Next Endeavor

I have been giving this some thought for awhile now. I think I know what I want my next endeavor to be. I have always been the soul to help others and contribute my support wherever it is most needed. I cannot think of a better way to leave a legacy before farewelling from my undergraduate experience than the initiative I am about to present. I want to take the time to spread love, kindness and support to homeless individuals. However, I do not want to just help them on a short-term level (e.g. buying them a meal). This only gets them by for that moment. They will still remain on the streets and soon be hungry again.

I want to create a sense of hope for them and offer resources that can potentially assist them to be able to leave the streets. In this, I have the idea to purchase backpacks or some sort of bag they can carry. In the bag, I am thinking of packing such things as foods, water, first aid kits, socks, blankets, a hand book of some sort with resources and so on. One can call it a care package or the bag of love to something better. I really want to pursue this but the initiative will require a lot of support. 

If anyone of you are interested in being apart of this initiative, please let me know. I would absolutely love for you to be on board with me. Together, we can change lives and make our community brighter!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central AZ

I recently finished my internship hours with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central AZ this past Friday, October 2nd. Big Brothers Big Sisters have been around for more than one hundred years now. Their vision is that, "all children achieve success in life." This organization's mission stands for offering children in Arizona the support they need. They do this by matching a little with a big, who shares similar interests. It is meant for a positive one on one relationship with the hopes to change and better the lives' of the youth. 

There are several departments within this organization. I worked in the Marketing and Development department. It was a rather small team. Therefore, not only did I do the tasks that facilities with my role but also bounced around various jobs to help the team meet deadlines or simply, take the workload off overworked teammates. In shifting tasks, my role pertained around cutting fliers, writing personal thank you cards to mentors, help create fliers, promote for events, contributed with fundraising ideas and so on.