Becoming a Mentor

Last week my mother sent me an email regarding her colleague's cousin seeking career advice. The woman,a sophomore, attended an HBCU and majored in International Business. Having obtained an International Economics, Mom deemed me qualified to give her advice (either that or she just liked to brag that her daughter worked in DC!). Immediately I visited the school's website and located student club resources and referred her to the nearest Urban League and Black MBA Association. After relaying her this information, I conducted my own search and to my surprise, located a Northern Virginia Young Professional chapter with a cheaper membership than the DC chapter!

Being propelled into this role felt easy because as I enter my fourth decade on this Earth, my horizons are expanding. During my thirties I want to fully fund my book scholarship to aid low-income students with college costs especially since financial need aid is disappearing. Therefore, becoming a mentor seems like a natural progression in this direction.

A New Attitude and a New Outlook

Last night, I thought of a new synonym for Ph.D. pressure hones diamonds in response to the debate that Reverend Al Sharpton and Jay had regarding voting yesterday on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. This is motivational because I want to obtain my Ph.D. plus franchise is extremely important to me.

Yesterday the math tutor told me that I needed some work on my algebraic concepts, that precalculus is the kind of math that I had to constantly work 100 problems, and upon the conclusion of my math session said until next time then proclaimed that “there is always a new time because you never stop learning!” How right he is. I have solved over twenty word problems in sections 4.7 and 4.8 alone and will incorporate them in my regimen because force me to think outside of the box. At the beginning of class, I feared word problems but after having enormous success, solving them seems like second nature.

In addition, yesterday I also decided that I would take total control over my life, career and education by requesting information from all of the Virginia educational organizations and going to the Foundation Center during lunch to research.

I have just finished emailing Virginian educational organizations for material requests and will know focus on my upcoming meeting with the career counselor. Having finished my Individualized Development Plan and registered for the SGE Conference, I feel that my career is full stem ahead! Today’s meeting will cover the IDP and how to market myself at the conference and tips regarding the ASSA event this January. Also I will tell her about my latest NUL and NAACP discoveries.

Discussing my IDP with her helped me immensely because she gave me more ideas regarding attaining my short-term and long-term goals. First, she talked about adding the ASSA Convention and NABE Policymaking conference to my IDP. Second, regarding Toastmasters she gave me the idea to create an icebreaker for the SGE conference (how ingenious!). I can practice my public speaking skills here at the conference. Why wait until November 8th? Third, she asked (well, actually prodded me) to seek out a mentor (I really do not know anyone so how could I?). Her remarks forced me out of my comfort zone. Immediately after the meeting I emailed my boss about my IDP so that he could review it.

Working Woman's Credo

I represent
This I can’t deny
As the Chinese proverb proclaims
“Women hold up half the sky”
I work so let’s myself perfectly clear
I embody Esther and Ruth
Biblical feminism for 5000 years

Manifest

I have the recipe
To manifest my own destiny
Every morning I awake
Every second that I breathe
I believe that I can achieve
All of my dreams
Though sometimes it seems
That life unravels at the seams
My radiance beams
Shine bright
Illuminate the daylight
Possessing insight
Examining hindsight
Incorporating foresight
To do what’s right
Add vigilance with due diligence
And the sum is intelligence
Multiply times experience
And the product is magnificence
This is what I manifest

Finding my PLACE

Finding my PLACE (Prior Learning Activity for Credit Evaluation). The PLACE program allows me to earn up to 15 credits towards an Associate Degree. Since I will take so many math courses, my goal is to create portfolios for Introduction to Computing (after three SAS courses, I know how to use and program a computer!), and Introduction to Speech Communication (After and publicly speaking at Toastmasters, this will be a shoo-in!). I will take the student development this spring semester to learn how to compile a portfolio (which will help me with my master’s thesis and year-end appraisal) then submit them during fall 2007 after achieving residency to reduce costs. Employing this strategy saves me a boatload of money!

The A.S. in Science/Mathematics advising sheet has a history elective course which I will take the CLEP American Government test, ace it then audit the class; transfer my CSU micro and macro classes for the social science electives; and enroll at UDC to take linear algebra/differential equations to audit NOVA’s differential equations and linear algebra courses. Since I will receive residency until August 1, 2007, that’s a cost savings of nearly $1235, the cost of one course!

300 Million and Counting

The United States hit the 300 million mark this morning at 7:46am! I am ecstatic because it ushers in a new era of change. Many people are rightfully concerned about overpopulation, however, yesterday NBC reported that Holland has a population density 15X that of the United States so we will be okay. However, I worry about the environmental concerns especially global warming. We must make a more concerted effort to reduce greenhouse gases, and car emissions.

As a futurist and an optimist, I am looking forward to the year 2043, when the 400 millionth American is born because by age 66 I will have accomplished an abundance of things. As Quincy Jones proclaimed to Oprah Winfrey on the Color Purple set, “Your future is so bright, you’ll burn your eyes just looking at it!”

Circle of Influence

Yesterday Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) reported that black youths age 15-25 are the most politically active in the United States. This made me euphoric because I knew that we had passion! However, it also claimed that their 2002 counterparts (I was 25 in 2002) were more politically active which was true. The report harkened back to Reverend Al Sharpton’s October 11, 2006 radio commentary about youth and relevance. He preached that you could be young and irrelevant to your own generation. How true! Even though I possess two degrees with one on the way, a job in my field, and ten years’ voting experience (I will celebrate this milestone in November at Morton’s), I tussle with remaining relevant as I enter my thirties. See, securing my MA in Economics degree or the CPA licensure exclaim relevance. I believe that social activism equates relevancy as since I strongly value education, endowing a scholarship to help blacks obtain a degree makes me relevant. This is one of my goals that I will accomplish by age thirty-five.

Instant Emotional Lift

Eureka! While searching www.about.com I located the Quotations guide site which has an abundance of achievement quotations. I will contact the Stress Management guide because this will surely release a lot of stress!

These are some that I like:
Christine Frankland: Inspirational Quotes: Accomplishment QuotesLife is just a blank slate, what matters most is what you write on it.
Jack Kinder: Inspirational Quotes: AchievementHigh achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.

I do have very high expectations for myself because I believe that I can accomplish them! I know what I am capable of so I will continue setting the bar high. If I did not believe in myself, I would not have accomplished all of these things; and, I know that I can do much, much more that is why I continue to challenge myself, push myself beyond my comfort zone. I cannot get comfortable because then I lose my edge, my zest for life.

Evaluating Myself

Talking to the career coach about my short-term and long-term goals has helped me a lot. Actually her objectivity confirmed what I have been feeling about obtaining my CPA, that it should be used to improve social condition such as assisting low-income people with filing their taxes through a financial literacy organization like America Saves. Right now, my focus is on MA in Economics and math. At age 29, I knew what I wanted to accomplish but never considered that I possessed an unusually high level of maturity. Sheesh! This was how I always thought so why question it?

She also gave me a copy of the Individualized Development Plan which outlined my short-term and long-term goals. Becoming a SES Economist was one of my long-term goals and even though achieving gs-14 level would take five years, I was up for the challenge. Maybe I chewed too much. Well, only Heaven knew, really! She commented on getting copy of the ZP-III Economist announcement to see what I needed to accomplish in order to secure this position. Great idea because I know that I can pair it with the IDP short-term goal and match my performance with what was required.

Furthermore, she talked about joining an organization to which I responded that I am a SGE member and its biennial conference occurs this month. The light bulb illuminated immediately because although the agency would not pay for SGE, it might pay for ASSA especially after being inducted into ODE! I will pay for SGE, attend and network.

And the Winner Is...

Great news: American Edmund Phelps won the Economics Nobel Prize! Thus far the Americans have swept this year’s Nobel Prize . His work enhances the Phillips Curve which will are now studying. I have emailed my professor regarding his view since she mentioned the Nobel last week.

Edmund Phelps work was regarding intertemporal responses which is in my Mankiw book. This in addition to the Nobel Prize’s Contributions to Macroeconomics gives me ample material to read and discuss for tomorrow’s class.

Once again, I am happy that the Americans are sweeping the competition thus far. It is a signal to our motivation and intelligence. Too often we tell ourselves that we lack the competitiveness to find new inventions. I know that I possess the brain power to become the first woman Nobel Economics recipient! I can feel it!

At the Fair

Attending the George Washington University School of International Affairs open house has reinvigorated my doctoral search and recommitted me to executing on my job. As the first visitor at the Ivy League table, I told the recruiter where I worked, he exclaimed “Wow!” His response made me think that working here is big time stuff! I will stay here for at least two years to solidify my resume and obtain my MA in Economics degree. I know feel that I will be selected to attend my favorite doctoral in economics program. It was also in attendance as well as two other Ivies (I hit all of those tables). USC had its new Public Diplomacy program on display (which was extremely cool!); plus I retrieved information from several other reputable schools. I left knowing that I too could compete with the rest of the world and the importance of studying statistics to increase my job productivity.

Advocacy

Advocacy: active support of an idea or cause etc.; especially the act of pleading or arguing for something

In six more hours, it will be all over! I am so ready for my holiday weekend to commence: I can write my autobiography, see movies, rest and relax, and unwind. I can see myself being more productive in a less stressful environment. And I will thoroughly enjoy it!

At age 29 year old with an MBA and Economist, I know that I have a story to tell. In the spirit of the midterm elections, I will do something to commemorate my tenth anniversary of voting. There is something to be said about having ten years’ voting experience under your belt and I am not thirty. This is a significant milestone. Participating in democracy allows me to stay engaged to current events. I do not understand how you not be informed?

Ambition

Ambition (n.) 1) strong desire for success, fame, power, wealth, etc. 2) the thing so desired.

This week the Nobel Prizes are being announced and thus far they have all been Americans which dispels the myth that we are not good in math or science. This further motivates me to learn math and to try harder in my studies to become the first female Nobel economics prize recipient. I know that I have what it takes to do it!

I successfully aced last night's exam by reviewing my answers and correcting multiple errors which would had hurt me badly. During the examination, Professor Johnson told the class that she would provide a formula sheet for the next test because there would be an abundance of them to learn. That remark spurred me into action because I wanted to cover sections 4.1-4.4 by Thursday’s class to ensure that I understood all of the material. Using my vacation time wisely would enable me to position myself to not only learn logarithms and trigonometry but also place me on track to excel on the CLEP precalculus and calculus exams.

The Skinny on Being Skinny

This whole I hate skinny people crazy is ridiculous. Sure, there are some anoxerics and bulimics but what society is not discussing is that we have a weight problem in America. Americans are getting fatter not skinner. I do not understand the constant slender bashing against those who are built this way!

My Thoughts about Moving Up the Food Chain

Today’s Wall Street Journal reports that college education influences them to become Republican by age forty struck a nerve with me. Is this the reason why my mother voted Republican (Honestly, I thought that she did that like so many other blacks were because they grew up on welfare). However, I cannot foresee myself voting Republican just because I earn more money because I have an internal need to give back to my community. If I hold onto my money then I am stingy and that benefits no one.

Blossom

Blossom (v.i): 1) to have or open into blossoms; bloom. 2) to begin to thrive or flourish; develop.

Even though I had looked this word about two weeks ago to assess my life’s progress, today a poem just popped into my head entitled, Blossom:

I am blossoming into the woman I want to see
The one I want to see
Confident in everything
Who values knowing something
Who is constantly changing

As I approach thirty (which will be next August 9th) I am examining my life’s work and contributions. Entering my fourth decade on this planet, now is the time to positively contribute to the community. I have done so in the past but during this decade I will increase my philanthropic output by donating time and effort to educational causes. By age forty, I will have accomplished the following:

Achieved a $1 million net worth by paying off credit card and student loan debts, contributing to my retirement savings and 401 (k) plans, and signing for a 15-year mortgage instead of a 30-year one

Earned a Ph.D. from an elite school by working, debt free by teaching online economics courses, and freelance writing

Found my own business by merging my online teaching profile with freelance writing and photography

Be married

Travel to Africa, attend an Olympiad, and return to London

Publish a book about my life’s work and contribution by age 30 and a travel writing book.

Obtain a CPA. I have an MBA why not go for it!

Abigail Trafford’s A Texas Trailblazer, an appreciation about the late Texas governor Anne Richards’s contribution to the women’s liberation movement. The reporter dubbed her as “the first wave of First and Only Women (FOWs) who defied female stereotypes and broke down the doors of the old-boy establishment.” Ann Richards was no ashamed to admit that she was an alcoholic and rose from this personal tragedy to become governor. Even though I was only 13 when Richards won the governorship, her presence loomed large for all women. I have pasted Abigail Trafford’s link here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/02/AR2006100201362.html

As the third wave of women in the workforce I understand that it is my duty to uphold the forbearers’ legacies and to not disappoint. That’s why I am adamant about pursuing higher education and being the best that I can be.