Journal Entry 5 - Tenzin Lhamo

This week I learned many things about my mentor. I interviewed her and I learned that she stayed in college for seven years. In her college years she was a very active students, joining many sports, doing many extracurricular activities. She also told me that one of our AHEC board members was her professional mentor. She gave me advice saying "you can achieve anything as long as you put your mind to it! Stay positive! Keep your eye on the prize!!"

Journal Entry 5 - Tenzin Lhamo

Mentor Informational Interview - Viviana Sanchez

This is an informational interview between Mentor Connection student, Viviana Sanchez and her mentor, Fay Barrett, MPH. Ms. Barrett is in charge of Prevention Education services at the Ryan Center.

Viviana: What is your official title?

Fay: I am the Coordinator for Prevention Education and Outreach Services at the Ryan Center.

Viviana: What were your goals when you were 16?

Fay: I wanted to help people but I didn't know in what capacity when I was in high school.

Viviana: Have the goals stayed the same throughout your life?

Fay: Yes, my goals did stay the same. When I graduated from high school and went to college, undergraduate major was in social work. I went on to graduate school for a Masters degree in Public Health.

Viviana: Why did you choose to pursue your goals/career? A certain event?

Fay: Well I did internships during my undergraduate college experience. Some of these internships were working as a social work intern and my last internship was working in an HIV unit. This last internship got me interested in HIV and I decided to pursue a job in HIV prevention.

Viviana: What books/movies etc. have influenced your career goals and choices?

Fay: A movie called " And the band played on" influenced my career goals and choices. This movie is about the spread of HIV.

Viviana: What qualifications, courses, experiences or work did you do before going to university?
Fay: I did my internships in the HIV unit during college. I also worked in a doctor's office and did volunteer work with the underserved community.

Viviana: What university did you go to?

Fay: I went to Lehman College for undergraduate and Hunter College for graduate school.

Viviana: How many years have you been in school after graduating from high school?

Fay: I remained in school about seven years after high school.

Viviana: Was tuition an obstacle? What advice can you give me about this?

Fay: Yes, tuition was an obstacle. I worked to overcome it while going to school. I got scholarships from TAP and PELL grants in order to help me with financial aid.

You can start applying to different colleges and see what financial aid they offer. You also need to make sure to keep your grades up. You can also try working for different organizations. For example, AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps is an organization that will give you scholarships towards college tuition.

Viviana: How do you handle obstacles/roadblocks?

Fay: I try to see what obstacles are holding me back. I list the different things I need to do in order to remove the barrier from reaching my goal.

Viviana: Did you have to confront any obstacles on your way to becoming what you are today?

Fay: I would say yes. Like the challenges of working while going to school. Also the stigma of working in HIV prevention.

Viviana: What are you strengths and weaknesses?

Fay: My weakness i that I try to do too many things all at once. My strength is the ability to see what is important to tackle first.

Viviana: Who is your hero?

Fay: My mother is my hero because she is a very strong Caribbean woman.

Viviana: Who do you listen to? Who do you accept advice from?

Fay: I listen to my mother and my husband. I first listen to what everybody has to say but I take what is beneficial for me.

Viviana: Did you have a personal or professional mentor?

Fay: Yes, one of my supervisors while I was doing my last internship.

Viviana: What overall advice do you have for me in terms of the career I want to pursue?

Fay: You really need to stay focused and enjoy what you are doing because it prepares you for the future. You need to ask for help and guidance as you go along. You also need to ask for extracurricular activities to do in biochemistry. Do volunteer work in that area. Find someone who is a biochemist in order to shadow and observe them to see what type of biochemist you want to become.

Mentor Informational Interview - Viviana Sanchez

Mentor Informational Interview - Zaire Smalls

This is an informational interview between Mentor Connection student, Zaire Smalls and her mentor, Lauren Kershinover, LMSW. Ms. Kershinover is a licensed social worker and the coordinator for the Single Stop Program at the Institute for Family Health.

Zaire: What is your official title?

Lauren: I am an LMSW and the Single Stop Program Coordinator. Single Stop is a case management program that we received a grant for.

Zaire: What were your goals when you were 17?

Lauren: My goals were to go to college and become a social worker so I could provide therapy for children.

Zaire: Have your goals remained the same?

Lauren: No, they are currently to expand the Single Stop Program and to try to make changes with health care reform and help as many patients as possible.

Zaire: Why did you choose to pursue your career/goals?

Lauren: I felt that it was my calling and that I have always had a gift of being in tune with peoples' needs.

Zaire: What books or movies have influenced your career choice?

Lauren: Elie Wiesley's "Night," a book about the Holocaust and Ann Franks Diary inspired me to get involved with social change. The Color Purple and Bastard Out of Carolina also inspired me.

Zaire: What qualifications, experiences or work did you complete before university?

Lauren: I was a peer leader helping athletes. I did peer education mediation for youth who were athletes.

Zaire: What University did you go to?

Lauren: SUNY New Paltz for my BA and SUNY Albany for my Masters.

Zaire: How many years of higher education do you have?

Lauren: 6 1/2 years.

Zaire: Was tuition an obstacle? What advice can you give me on this subject?

Lauren: You should apply for scholarships, financial aid and loans. I did a work study and had a part time job.

Zaire: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Lauren: My strengths are my compassion and passion for my job. My weakness is that I can't say no.

Zaire: Who is your hero?

Lauren: It is not one specific person but a type of person: someone who addresses injustice and who is giving.

Zaire: Who do you take advice from?

Lauren: Friends, family, colleagues and therapist.

Zaire: Have you had any personal or professional mentors?

Lauren: My women's studies professor and another professor who was a physiologist who worked with homeless youth in San Francisco. A clinical supervisor upstate is also a mentor.

Zaire: What overall advice do you have for me in terms of the career I would like to pursue?

Lauren: Do something you feel passionate about and love. Make sure you take care of yourself in this field.

Mentor Informational Interview - Zaire Smalls

Mentor Informational Interview - Sherlyn Aldas

This is an informational interview between Mentor Connection student, Sherlyn Aldas and her mentor, Emelin Martinez. Ms. Martinez is the Reach out and Read coordinator at NY Presbyterian hospital.

Sherlyn: What is your official title?

Emelin: Reach Out and Read Coordinator.

Sherlyn: What were your goals when you were 16?

Emelin: My goals were to graduate high school, go to college and get my first car!

Sherlyn: Have the goals stayed the same throughout your life?

Emelin: No, they have changed.

Sherlyn: What are your current goals?

Emelin: Well now I want to go back to college and get a Masters degree in social work and start a community pre-school.

Sherlyn: Why did you choose to pursue your goals/career?

Emelin: I like to help children, especially those who are underprivileged.

Sherlyn: What books or movies have influenced your career goals and choice?

Emelin: The Purpose Driven Life.

Sherlyn: What qualifications, courses, experiences or work did you do before going to University?

Emelin: I worked at a pre-school for two years and I also worked in a camp.

Sherlyn: What university did you go to?

Emelin: Fort Lauderdale College for pre-law and I got a Bachelors in Human Services at St. Thomas University.

Sherlyn: How many years have you been in school after high school?

Emelin: 6 years.

Sherlyn: Was tuition an obstacle? What advice can you give me on this?

Emelin: It was hard to get financial aid. Do not get a student loan unless absolutely necessary and be sure to look for scholarships.

Sherlyn: How do you handle obstacles/roadblocks?

Emelin: I face my problems head on and find a solution or an alternative. I also pray to God to help me.

Sherlyn: Did you have to confront any obstacles to become what you are today?

Emelin: Not really.

Sherlyn: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Emelin: My strength is that I am cooperative, empathizing, organized, compassionate and persistent. My weakness is that I am a perfectionist and very sentimental.

Sherlyn: Who is your hero?

Emelin: Jesus Christ.

Sherlyn: Who do you listen to? Who do you accept advise from?

Emelin: My mom or anyone who is an expert in the situation I need help in. It varies.

Sherlyn: Do you have personal or professional mentors?

Emelin: My personal mentor when I was in high school was Shermaine Brown, who i worked in the pre-school with.

Sherlyn: What overall advice do you have for me in terms of the career I want to pursue?

Emelin: Make sure your career is something you love, that you would do for free. That is how you know you love it. Find what you are passionate about and enjoy, no matter what obstacles come along.

Mentor Informational Interview - Sherlyn Aldas

Mentor Informational Interview - Tenzin Lhamo

This is an informational interview between Mentor Connection student, Tenzin Lhamo and her mentor, Crystal Thomas, DPT, CSCS. Ms. Thomas is the facility manager at SportsPT located in the Equinox gym.

Tenzin: What is your official title?

Crystal: Dr. Crystal D. Thomas DPT, CSCS Facility Manager/Senior Physical Therapist.

Tenzin: What were your goals when you were sixteen? Have the goals stayed the same throughout your life?

Crystal: When I was sixteen, I wanted to obtain a degree in Medicine or a Health care profession field (Dentist) so I participated in a program called the Summer Youth Health Careers program at Stony Brook University. It was there that I mentored with a dentist and realized that dentistry was not all that I expected.

Tenzin: If not, what are you current goals?

Crystal: Since Dentistry wasn't what I expected, I was introduced to physical therapy (P.T) while I was in the program and it stood out the most for me.

Tenzin: Why did you choose to pursue your goals/careers? A certain event?

Crystal: I like P.T because it has many different specialty areas such as Pediatric, Sports/Orthopedic, Rehab, Cardiopulmonary, Neurology and Animal P.T incorporated into one profession.

Tenzin: What books/movies etc. have influenced your career goals and choices?

Crystal: Even thought I can't recall the name of the book, I do remember a book where the main character dove in to a pool and hit her head. She fractured her neck and became paralyzed from the neck down. So in order to pass the time she discovered how to paint using her mouth.

Tenzin: What qualifications, courses, experiences or work did you do before going to university.

Crystal: I volunteered in P.T clinic and obtained a bachelor of science from Hampton University in Virginia. My courses included Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Abnormal Psychology and Calculus.

Tenzin: What universities did you go to?

Crystal: Hampton University - Bachelor of Science
Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University: Doctoral Physical Therapy

Tenzin: How many years have you been in school after high school?

Crystal: 7 years total.

Tenzin: Was tuition an obstacle? Can you give me advice on this?

Crystal: Tuition was not a major obstacle. I received scholarships and student loans. My advice is to study hard, participate in extracurricular activities and community service and apply for as many scholarships as you can!!!

Tenzin: How did you handle obstacles/roadblocks?

Crystal: Research was one of my main obstacles. I handled this obstacle by asking questions to my guidance counselor, mentors, teachers and classmates. I researched and looked up things on the Internet and attended college preparatory/class seminars at the library, local universities and churches.

Tenzin: Did you have to confront any obstacles on your way to becoming what you are today?

Crystal: NO obstacles. NO EXCUSES. FIND A WAY! JUST DO IT!

Tenzin: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Crystal: My strengths are that I am goal oriented, dependable, reliable, outgoing, charismatic and energetic. My weakness is that I am a very anxious person.

Tenzin: Who are your heroes?

Crystal: My mom, dad and sisters.

Tenzin: Who do you listen to? Who do you accept advice from?

Crystal: Mom, dad sister and from my mentors, teachers and friends.

Tenzin: Did you have personal or professional mentors? Who?

Crystal: Yes, my personal mentors are my parents and sisters. My professional mentors are Afriqiyah Woods, P.T and Seyal Vyas, P.T.

Tenzin: What overall advice do you have for me in terms of the career I want to pursue?

Crystal: You should find a career that makes you excited: stimulate your interests! You can acieve anything as long as you put your mind to it!! STAY POSITIVE! and KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE!

Mentor Informational Interview - Tenzin Lhamo

Journal Entry 6 - Faith Fordjour

This week was interesting in a way. I got the chance to interview my mentor Sonia Lugo. I learned a lot from her life experience. The main point of the interview was to get to know our mentors and that is what I did. I got to know my mentor on a personal level and she was very open to my questions. At the end of the interview, she gave me some advice on my career choice. She told me to never give up on my dreams and to not let anyone stop me from achieving my goals.

I also gave my mentor a card for Mentor Month in order to thank her for mentoring me. She was so happy to receive it. On Monday, I was visited by Sarah at my placement at Mt. Sinai. I was happy to see her and I showed her around my work place. After she left, there was this boy, Jose who came and started coloring. He left to see the doctor but he kept coming back to color. I got really fond of him and I even saw him when I was leaving. He came to say goodbye.

Journal Entry 6 - Faith Fordjour

Writing Workshop - Khmran Malik

As January is National Mentoring Month, we will be devoting many of our Writing Workshops to mentors. As gaining as much information on our mentors' education, life experiences and background that lead to their chosen career is an important part of the mentoring process, students will shape their work around these issues.

Exercise: Journal Entry on Mentor Placement.

Journal Entry: Journal writing is primarily done drawing on an individual's personal experiences. However, it can also draw on articles, situations and events that affect or provoke a response from you. Journal entries can also be written in many different forms, including an unsent letter. An unsent letter can be a great way to reflect on the purpose of seemingly mundane, everyday chores (Writer's INC, 2001).

Khmran has written an unsent letter to his mentor doing just that. The aim is for this to help him uncover what he would like to ask his mentor during the next few visits.

"Dear Mary,

My recent experiences at the hospital have been very fun and are chances for me to learn how a hospital works. I have learned that you always knock before you enter a patient's room as well as give your name. Speaking with respect to patients even if they are not respecting you is very important. I also learned that beginning on time is very important for both yourself and staff. I was surprised to find out that the nurses have their own list of patients to look after. I thought the nurse's could look after anyone. I was also surprised to see that there were so many lists of patients that change hour to hour, day to day. I wonder if the patents have to have a surgery or something done to them even if they don't want to. Do you have to do it? I hope these experiences will help me pursue my dream of becoming a Physician's Assistant or Occupational Therapist. I wish these moments will help me in the future, working in a hospital.

Thank you,

Khmran"

Writing Workshop - Khmran Malik

Welcome to 2010 and a very special January National Mentoring Month!

January is officially National Mentoring Month

The U.S Senate has just passed official recognition of January as the National Mentoring month. Some of the language includes:

"Whereas mentoring is a longstanding tradition in which a dependable, caring adult provides guidance, support, and encouragement to facilitate a young person’s social, emotional, and cognitive development;

Whereas further research on mentoring provides strong evidence that mentoring successfully reduces substance use and abuse, academic failure, and delinquency;

Whereas a month-long celebration of mentoring will encourage more individuals and organizations, including schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith institutions, and foundations, to become engaged in mentoring across the United States; and

Whereas National Mentoring Month will, most significantly, build awareness of mentoring and encourage more people to become mentors and help close the mentoring gap in the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate— (1) designates the month of January 2010 as ‘‘National Mentoring Month’’; (2) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the millions of caring adults and students who are already volunteering as mentors and encourages more adults and students to volunteer as mentors; and (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe National Mentoring Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities that promote aware- ness of, and volunteer involvement with, youth mentoring."

_

A warm thank you to all of our 2009-2010 Mentors!

Welcome to 2010 and a very special January National Mentoring Month!