(1)The technical skills that I have learned at Year Up are trouble shooting for PCs and Macs and installing software with virtualization programs. I am now able to upgrade components on the motherboard for more efficient processing and I am proficient using google docs. I think most importantly I have become very skilled in the Microsoft Office Suite and I am able to work in the command prompt to maintain files. (2)Many times I work really well under managers that are assertive yet polite and have an realistic understanding of my skills so that their expectations of my performing on the job is realistic. I also do well under managers that are good at communicating and have an open mind to new ideas and they are people who welcome innovation. (3)I really hope to develop my ability to adapt to change more smoothly and I would like to be more tech savvy during my internship because there are times where I become distracted or preoccupied. I want to learn to tackle the tasks at hand with persistence. (4)The anxieties that I have in my heart right now is being able to perform well on the job and being able to meet and exceed expectations. Im am not sure of the work that will be involved but I want to be able to learn and grow without being discouraged. (5)My strategy and plan to stand out is to make myself readily available and try to tackle tasks given with ease. I want to get comfortable enough with the work that I am able to take on more things and add value to the department that I am working in. (6)I would like to be the one that is thought of for extra tasks and would like to be the one that comes to mind when there is a need. I want to make myself useful and always be present and prepare. (7)Im not exactly sure what Ill will do after internship especially if I'm not hired on, I will most likely pursue things that I'm more passionate about in the fashion and music industry. I have a bright future and Im going to do whatever it takes to fulfill my dreams and live the life that I want so that I can leave behind a legacy.

The 12 Disciplines of Internship I am very excited and anxious all at the same time because I am about to embark on. My very first internship is arriving so close that is is breathing down my neck and I am going to hit the ground running to make the best impression possible. I have gathered some tips and have ranked them order of importance to me that will help me during the second phase of my Year Up journey. Now that I am approaching internship time, I have to my head in the game and stay focused despite some challenges. IT IS TIME! These are the things that I plan to do and keep at the forefront of my mind as an intern: 1.Take Initiative. I strongly feel that If I possess this quality at all times and turn it into a concrete skill, I will not miss any opportunities to stand out and do above what is expected. Taking initiative means to me getting things done before be asked or assigned to do them. I feel this showcases a great deal of value that can really asset a team or a company especially in instances where the little extra help makes a big difference. I rank this at number 1 because I feel this is the most important thing to get off to a great start. 2.Tackle all Tasks with Enthusiasm and a Positive Attitude. This is a great skill to follow up behind taking initiative because you want to do your job but also do it well. Handling projects and busy work with finesse will make you stand out on the positive end like a star, not on the a sore thumb because you're keeping a positive attitude even when thing get rough. I must admit, this will be a strong growth area for me. I put this also as top priority with the first tip because this is key to maintaining professionalism. 3.Don't Be Afraid To Ask Questions It is very important to understand the concept of what I am doing so that if I am unsure of how to do something I can still step in the right direction to find the right answers. Asking questions shows interest and involvement and will let your superiors know you are ready to expand your knowledge. Asking questions shows you are ready to go to the next level though you may not know exactly how to get there. 4.Get as Much Exposure as Possible. This is a great way to expand your horizons and get familiar with unknown territory. The more you learn the more you know. Getting exposure helps you also to be more confident with your experience. 5.Never Shun a Chance to Learn More About the Company/Industry. It is always good to have perspective of what direction the company you are apart of is heading because it will help the on the job work performance. Its a great advantage to know what type of standing the industry or company has and how influential their business is and if there is a future. 6.Avoid Negativity. The last thing needed on a internship is negative influence and individuals that hinder progress. Negativity can fester, distract and prevent a person from performing their best work. It jades your perspective. It would be in my best interest to stay clear of negativity and always be positive. 7.Find a Mentor. It is always a good idea to have someone that is a little more experienced and who has been around in a particular industry mentor and show the ropes. This is the best way to be guided because you are receiving valuable hands on training and the support to complete a task. 8.Network,Network,Network. Meeting people constantly is the best way to strengthen your professional community and open up more opportunities to get ahead of the game. Getting to know more people and companies increases your chance to make a connection that will hugely benefit in the future. You have to meet people. 9.Set Personal Goals. Being goal oriented and driven will set you apart. I feel that once I have a grasp on what it is that I want to do and I start to see a light at the end of the tunnel, I will be able to make some very meaningful personal goals that I can realistically achieve and find the success that will make me happy and propel me to that next phase of my life. It is a sense of accomplishment. 10. Have Regular Meetings with your Supervisor(s). You have to consistently report to your superiors and maintain your relationship with them. Being in tuned with your boss and knowing what is expected enables you to track your progress. This is also the best way to improve growth areas and ask for feedback. 11.Enjoy Yourself. I want to work hard and have fun. This will create the balance that I need to be successful during internship and is what I need to really get the most out of the experience. You have to enjoy yourself. 12.Leave with Tangible Accomplishments. Lastly, I want to have something to show for my work and leave with notable skills that will transfer elsewhere. I must maximize my potential by challenging my self to do something out of the ordinary that will deserve recognition and sparkle on my resume. This is the way to climb ladder and celebrate on the way. It is a must to accomplish some things. These are the tips that I will hold dear to my heart to get where I want during and after my internship. This is the formula for success.

WORK FOR A WORKING GIRL In our lifetime it would it would behoove us to attain some type of career to maintain our livelihood and provide for ourselves and our families. Any person that is able to accomplish this goal and more has a superlative advantage in life and can succeed at almost anything. Especially when we are not exactly thrilled about our current occupation or job. I have had some good jobs and some bad jobs, but both experiences taught me a lot about the work industry and what a typical environment will be like. My first and worst job that involved real tax deductions was when I worked for a real estate company in Southern California. I would direct the home buyers and realtors to the model homes and twirl the signs in different locations depending on the sales event. I wasn't exactly exhilarated about the experience for the main reason of being outdoors for the majority of the shift. The starting pay for my age of 16 was pretty good though because I started at 11 an hour which taught me that you can benefit good from the bad. That job helped me look challenges in the face and adapt to change since I would not always be at the same remote location. I also struggled with the physicality of my job functions because the signs were extremely big and the weather was not ideal. My best job was when I became a Denim/New Wave specialist at Bloomingdale's in San Francisco and it is also the position that I was able to make a decent amount of money. There are times that I wish I still worked there because of the network of people I was associated with everyday. I did well there and I learn the most about people. I think the skills that I learned there will help me the most during internship and cultivate the virtues of patience and dependability that I utilized while working in the Y.E.S. dept at that high-end retail store. Ultimately, my professional skills and sense of composure will help me shine best!

WORK FOR A WORKING GIRL In our lifetime it would it would behoove us to attain some type of career to maintain our livelihood and provide for ourselves and our families. Any person that is able to accomplish this goal and more has a superlative advantage in life and can succeed at almost anything. Especially when we are not exactly thrilled about our current occupation or job. I have had some good jobs and some bad jobs, but both experiences taught me a lot about the work industry and what a typical environment will be like. My first and worst job that involved real tax deductions was when I worked for a real estate company in Southern California. I would direct the home buyers and realtors to the model homes and twirl the signs in different locations depending on the sales event. I wasn't exactly exhilarated about the experience for the main reason of being outdoors for the majority of the shift. The starting pay for my age of 16 was pretty good though because I started at 11 an hour which taught me that you can benefit good from the bad. That job helped me look challenges in the face and adapt to change since I would not always be at the same remote location. I also struggled with the physicality of my job functions because the signs were extremely big and the weather was not ideal. My best job was when I became a Denim/New Wave specialist at Bloomingdale's in San Francisco and it is also the position that I was able to make a decent amount of money. There are times that I wish I still worked there because of the network of people I was associated with everyday. I did well there and I learn the most about people. I think the skills that I learned there will help me the most during internship and cultivate the virtues of patience and dependability that I utilized while working in the Y.E.S. dept at that high-end retail store. Ultimately, my professional skills and sense of composure will help me shine best!

 NONFICTION


The book is basically about examining the human behavior for incentives and how certain data results in certain economics. It also talks about how different scenarios have different outcomes. The message the author is trying to convey is that things are not always as they may seem. You need to examine certain factors to come to certain conclusions. Many times it is not the most conventional way. The part of the book that stood out to me the most was the subject matter on sumo wrestlers, ku klux klan, cheating teachers, and pushy realtors because the authors did a good job of connecting all of these subjects that may seem otherwise unconnected. The group role I enjoyed the most is commentator because it allowed me as a reader to share my perspective without any inhibitions and shed light on the topic my way. My overall opinion of the boo is that it would be a great read for someone that is not gullible or easily influenced by information or data that is presented in a sophisticated way. The techniques that I used to get through the reading was to make sure that my environment was really quiet and zen. I had to make sure nothing else was going on because the book was busy itself. It was challenging because of the subject matter. I wouldn't recommend this book.

Process of Reading

Process of Reading 

Recently my class and I embarked upon a journey of words that was quite treacherous in subject matter carried in the literary vehicle of "FREAKONOMICS." This book was written by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner and was also a #1 New York Times Bestseller that described a buffet of topics concerning social status and economics. It would take someone who has not really honed the skill of reading a minute to digest the bulk of information being presented in this book because the pace tone and content can be quite overwhelming. There are also topics that are so simplistic and live that even your beginning reader can understand and relate if presented in a way the reader can easily follow and this book has those qualities.


One of the main ways I was able to really grasp what the authors were presenting was by asking questions and really pondering why the subjects used were used. Also, soliciting other perspectives and responses really brought light to this literary work. I was able to see it from another view that help me see more depth in the subject. When I am reading chapter by chapter, I try to find a sequence that leads me on a journey without abrupt breaks in thoughts and transitions. I am a sucker for cohesiveness which really makes any point or suggestive material stick.