The Making of a Mentor

I was so happy to have met one of the Cleveland State University Urban Affairs DC Seminar yesterday at the alumni event because it enabled me to realize that I possessed the ability to become a mentor. During our conversation I asked her the group's composition and she commented that this year was evenly split between undergraduates and graduates (There were even two were PhD students!). Then I inquired if any one of them wanted to work in DC to she replied yes. I told her about USAJOBS, the federal government's job site in addition to several others. She gave me her business card and throughout last night and earlier this morning, I located resources to help her Urban Affairs students acquire jobs and schooling. This meeting allowed me to use my prior research knowledge of obtaining greater Cleveland higher educational resources for poor, first-generation college students into action. Though I supplied advice, personally, staying and working in Cleveland then relocating to Washington, DC would be better because they would had acquired the requisite experience and skills to excel. That was how I obtained my economist position. As a graduate student I worked as an Information Officer with the Cuyahoga Support Enforcement Agency honing my Medicare and food stamps transfer skills. When I relocated to Washington, DC to work as an economist in the transfer payment section, I hit the ground running!

Who Defines Classiness?

Diana Ross’ comments while receiving the BET Lifetime Achievement Award about being classy are timely and important but I am concerned about what outside forces compromising the art form. Yes, I have never sagged my pants, called myself a nigger, or acted immature but we, the rap crowd has to make the decision not someone else. Also I feel that Al Sharpton’s comments about the marketplace are ill-fitted because there are many positive forces such as Kanye and Common who will be coming out with albums. We must control our communities’ dialog! Furthermore, class is relative because how can you hail from the projects and spent time incarcerated exude upper-middle class sensibilities? I am a member of an upper-class invitation-only organization and it would never have thought to invite her to attend our annual convention. Finally, it is no mistake that the black scholarship fund honored Aretha instead of Diana Ross because Aretha's father graduated from LeMoyne College, an HBCU, while Diana was raised in the notorious Brewster Projects!

Escalating

I awoke late because I did set my alarm clock. Also something happened to my tv around 1am.
Throughout this morning, I thought about being a mentor and what advice I would give to the Urban Studies students. A woman next to me had the Washington Center Internship bag which gave me a starting point. I, too, interned there and this experience gave me the assurance that I could become an economist.

Since I am 29 years old and most of these students are in their twenties, I can relate to them. Actually I feel that serving as a mentor for TWC would help me gain clarity on my life’s purpose. Motivating and encouraging people are important. Plus I like to distribute positive energy (as I have done earlier this morning when Uncle Tom posts something extremely mean and disheartening about blacks having a lower graduation rate.). His negative post pushes me to graduate from American University now because I refuse to be stereotyped! (For the record, another blogger came right after him and posted the "outperforming" quote, thereby, making me feel so much better. And, I need it because...

I have made and read two ignorant black women and this is not even noon! First, during my morning break, I gave this young woman directions to Strayer college. When we met again after my stroll, and upset that she had received dollar coins yelled at the hot dog man saying that “She had to work hard for her money and that she was not one of those people with the things around their heads.” Then whispered into my ear that “We were not white.” Oh Lord! Afterward, I read Essence’s interview with Monique who was extremely ignorant proclaiming that the word nigger has not meaning; and, when she got to heaven that is what she would call her ancestors. The cherry on top was that she proclaimed black people as too sensitive (Wait a minute! Monique calling us ignorant. She accepted the word fat so did that make her a fat, black nigger?). That’s ignorant! Why me?

The thing that got me was Monique’s accusing black people about being too sensitive. She made this remark about why we should stop worrying about who was calling us nigger (My problem was her ignorance!) and focus on improving our crumbling schools (With that kind of vocabulary she displayed, that was the reason why so many fell through the cracks). What a cop out!

It is stuff like this that cannot be ignored! Besides, I feel that this pervasive ignorance will not uplift anyone especially in the black community! Okay, I confess that at times I can get sensitive but this is ridiculous! This is not humorous!

Regardless, of their narrow-mindedness, I still push on, escalating to a higher station, and more moral clarity in life!

The Right Season

Since there are too many scheduling problems, I will not be traveling to Brazil during my birthday after all. However, I will travel during fall break. This saves me over $1263 which, I will save. Now I will book my Cleveland trip (but, of course, I will still call Ingenuity Cleveland and ask for packages.) and not fear any budgetary problems.

When I decided that this was not going to work, there was neither anger nor bitterness just the acceptance that this was not the right season. Furthermore, this indifference was directly attributed to financial empowerment. Since I established an emergency fund, there was no panic. Moreover, recent conversations with my family illuminated why I did not have to measure up to anyone. I had was the torchbearer and that was okay with me.

Opportunity Journal Entry #9: Moving On Up

I have been approved for my apartment! I am so happy because the search is over (although I am still looking at other apartments within the Friendship Heights area for price comparison purposes.). The rent is only $15 more than my current residence plus I do not have to spend any transportation money and can walk to the grocery store. That's cost savings. The lower rent allows me to afford furniture, a return trip to Cleveland, and my NBMBAA conference. I must admit that sitting in the apartment manager's office completing the paperwork without fear of my denied because of bad credit is liberating!

Now for some not so great news: Dropping out of mathematical methods for economists this summer, the AU course conflicts with UDC's calculus II and III meaning that this would have to wait until Spring 2008. Normally, this would have been disappointing, however, this presented another opportunity to take my time with calculus I and take calculus II at USDA since my Wednesdays are free. Also, it will allow me to save money which is my goal and I am still in contention of applying for a doctoral program just in case I exhaust all options here at AU.

Reading Educational Pathways magazine has inspired me to soar higher and not to waste time. Though I have always placed an extremely high premium on education (It's the reason why I am an economist today.), the articles highlighting black firsts in education motivated me to continue my educational pursuit with vigor! Now I have set some new achievement goals:

Complete AU by next year
Complete calculus III by first summer session
Complete my master's thesis (That's why I am in the MA program)
Retain my Omicron Delta Epsilon honor society distinction
Win one research scholarship

These goals will equip me with the necessary tools to be successfully both personally and professionally.

Pearls of Wisdom

Yesterday’s National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Northern Virginia Chapter Installation Ceremony solidified my community purpose. Though as always I was the youngest one in the group, this time it did not faze me because this event had meaning. I would join a broad collection of black female professionals advocating social change. All of a sudden, the conundrum of which chapter did I join after relocating dissipated. Right then, I was in the company of my sisters! At age twenty-nine I finally had the support to pursue my foundation work. This next decade I promised myself to found a scholarship program to help students afford books.; and, I was well on my way.

Confessions

When I dropped mathematical methods for economists, I realized that unlike previous circumstances, one class did not determine my future. Here I was still an economist in contention for GS-11 status and more importantly, I already had enough education to sustain me for a very long time. My BA from Hiram College equipped me with skills to become an economist. During these past two months, I saw my former classmates, in Washington working as economists. Their presences were proof-positive that a Hiram education was more than sufficient to do this work! These reminders enabled me relinquish any guilt about my decision. Furthermore, when CSU emailed me about its DC Alumni meeting, all of a sudden I realized that this decision was minor because here was a bigger goal: serving as a mentor. Mentoring had always been my top goal especially as I enter my thirties and this event offered me an opportunity to do just that. I remembered being twenty years old, doing this for free! These experiences made me the person that I am today. Coincidentally, I worked one block from 50 Years is Enough but a world of difference: now only was I being paid but my perspective changed. When I return to Cleveland, Ohio, I thought that keeping in touch was unimportant but I wasted lots of time not doing so. What I would recommend was to join industry associations to begin fomenting your relationships now so that you’d always have a network.

Becoming a mentor in my twenties is impressive because (at for me) I haven’t done anything major. Yes, I have earned two degrees by age twenty-five, completed one year at American University, have relocated from Cleveland to Washington, DC, survived on bad credit and now have good credit and received a pay-for-performance bonus; but, I haven’t done anything really big. However, inspiring anyone of these students would make my day!

Speaking of going back, I remember the vast amount of progress that I have made since arriving here. It is only now that I acknowledge how bad I want to become an economist. I moved here with two checking accounts in ChexSystems and horrible credit. Every apartment complex denied my application forcing me to find shelter on Craigslist. Now one year later, I have two checking and savings accounts and good credit. That’s an amazing feat to turn everything around and become successful!

The Morning After

A lot has transpired since my last posting. First and foremost, I've dropped mathematical methods for economists for health reasons. Now I can focus on resting and my apartment search which has hit a snag. It disappointed me immensely because I was number three on the list even though I had called the owner first! Oh well, it nothing pans out this week, I will submit my trip money and go to 1500 Massachusetts Avenue. At least I am close to work and I can walk to the DuPont metro and the N2 bus. However, I do have some stellar news regarding my job search. This morning I have completed four job offers and have faxed all of the information. Furthermore, tomorrow is my first GS-11 Economist interview and tonight I will revise my writing samples to ensure that they reflect my ambition. Like I gleefully told my career coach that come August 1st, I will not even be here if my boss does not come with a great counteroffer.

Overcoming my Fears

Even though the mathematical notation is Greek to me, I will overcome my fear by mastering it. I refuse to allow this to get in the way of acing this class. Therefore, this weekend, I will read and solve all chapter problems to ensure that I receive a high grade (Anything is better than a zero.) Furthermore, I have overcome my fear of not getting an apartment near college by calling real estate agencies. All of a sudden, five offers have materialized with three within my area. It looks like I will be able to return to Washington, DC by July!

Opportunity Journal Entry #8: Leave No Stone Unturned!

Meeting with the career coach has helped me better process and clarify my ideas regarding my job search. I have told her about receiving an interview with another agency but really want to stay here. The other agency offers loan forgiveness and tuition assistance which will truly help me; but, here I am already in the system where securing a ZP-III promotion is much easier than going else. During the conversation, I inform her about contacting the HR representative about the timetable because it is realistic that I can be in government on the fifth floor by August 1st. Immediately afterward, I travel to see her and inquire about the announcement’s timetable. She says that after it closes, the staff will review it for 10-15 days then email individuals who made certification (She says that I can view it electronically.). She has validated my earlier assumptions. Riding high and full of optimism, I return to my office in preparation for today’s meeting with the new associate director.

Unbeknownst to me, the BEA’s Regional Program Outreach Potential poster hanging on the wall offers an abundance of opportunity to expand my job search. I have written down every single organization. This represents a watershed moment because I never know that many regional economic organizations exist! When opportunity knocks, you better answer!

Opportunity Journal Entry #7: Full Steam Ahead

A lot has transpired since my last opportunity posting. This morning a potential employer called to schedule an interview which, of course, I obliged. The agency wanted some writing samples forwarded to them prior to the interview. I viewed this as a prime opportunity to use my Toastmaster skills to advance my career. If selected, my starting date will be late August to complete my estimates and take a vacation.

Of course, I debate leaving my current employer especially after applying for an internal position which would allow me to stay here while earning more money. Thankfully, the career coach returns tomorrow because I really need advice on this matter. First, I will email HR for a timetable to evaluate my options. I really prefer to stay here and receive my promotion. My boss even says that he'll evaluate my progress after the estimates then confer with his supervisor. However, that's too many chefs in the kitchen! Second, I will meet with the career caoch to hammer out the details. If I accept this position, my starting date will be late August to accommodate the state estimates and my vacation. Coming off insincere is the last thing I wish to project!

Rise Up!

In tribute to my beloved Cleveland Cavaliers reaching the NBA Finals, I will entitle this blog entry: Rise Up! :)

I will rise up and seek out every opportunity to live abundantly, realize all of my dreams, and have fun while doing it.

Unchained Melody

Last night's mathematics for economists lecture and quiz gave me a rude awakening that I had to study in order to excel at this class. Last week's ninety minute lectures spoiled me into thinking that this would be a cake course and I'd arrive home by 8pm. Yesterday's lecture comprised of basic calculus, especially the chain rule, and differentiation. Later this afternoon, I will read some the material so that I would not be further behind.