We went to the Diversity Career Symposium today. Leaving the bus, I never felt so nervous in my life because I did not know what to expect, but as the day went on, I loosened up and it was a great and beneficially experience. I learned that even in the professional world, it is okay to be yourself, in a professional manner. These companies want diverse candidates because they offer what other people can’t. Diverse candidates have insight and values that each company is yearning for. Each panel was beneficial. One that really stood out to me was S.P.I.C.E. It was about making a good first impression. Terry Houston hit the ball out the park. She took her panel to the next level with her enthusiasm and energy. She even passed around Altoids because a good first impression does not include bad breathe. Coming into the actually career fair was disappointing at first. Most of the companies there were looking for juniors or seniors. Most of their job shadowing and internships were for juniors or seniors. As time went on, I started using the career fair just to get rid of my fear of talking to professionals. I went around testing the waters to see what questions would spark interesting conversations and what made me seem real interested in their company. Although most of the internships and job shadowing programs were for juniors and seniors, I ran into Kaiser Permanente and they are having summer internships for freshman and sophomores too. I would really like to explore this career path, so I am going to apply for the internship they are offering this summer.

In class today, we brainstormed for our presentations. We only have 6 clicks and 3 minutes to tell the class why we are the way we are, what are goals are and how we will get there. It seems like such a hard task, but I know it is possible. We are advised to tell a story that stands out and also shows are strengths. Thinking about it, I want to tell the class who I am, which includes my name, where I’m from, my cultural background and my interest. The next slide, I would like to tell the class my personal brand. Following slides, I want to tell the class my short term goal, my midterm goal and my longterm goal. Lastly, I would like to tell them my why. I want to spend most of my time on my why only because it means the most to me. It is the reason that drives me. It is my motivation.

Today in class was quite amusing, but necessary. We learned a correct way to hold a handshake. A correct was to hold a handshake is to shake their whole hand with a nice grasp. We watched a video on shaking hands. One that really stood out to be was “The Lobster” because I know of people that actually shake hands like that. The class and I went around the room and got feedback on each other’s handshakes which went pretty smoothly. Then we went into perfecting our elevator pitch. I went over and over my pitch with a mentor, but I have still have some serious practicing to do. The key to strengths to share during an introduction is your name, where you are from and an interest you have. Sharing an interest could spark up a conversation and meeting each other more smoothly. We were also told to be an active listener. Active listening is engaging in the conversation and also remembering what they are saying. It is showing them your full uninvited attention. We learned that we must always find some mean to keep in contact with them after we finish the conversation. We are suppose to ask for their business card without necessarily asking for their business card. Everything we learned today, I know, will be beneficially for the Career Symposium.

In class, we were doing preparations for the Diversity Career Symposium. We were told what to do and what not to do. We were told to meet the goals of getting informational interviews, creating a relationship into getting a mentor or mentors, and finding job shadowing programs or internships. They told us we only have two hours to complete each task. It was quite nerve racking to say the least. We were told to remember TIARA.

T-Trends… Industry specifics.
I-Insights… Individual views.
A-Advice… As it applies to me, a student.
R-Resources… What they did as a next step.
A-Assignments… What projects are most important to their work.

In following TIARA, we are to obtain new information, establish rapports and guidance, gather brief insight to an organization’s structure and culture, and to gain insight to the positions and or role set by each industry.

Listening to this lecture made me really nervous. It is initially the start of establishing my professional career, but being prepared will make me ready for the Diversity Career Symposium. Looking through the list of companies, I would really like to talk with Kaiser Permanente, Cambia Health Solutions and Portland Parks and Recreation. The kid of like experiences I would like to have with a mentor would be just for full guidance. I would like to be able to call on them for feedback and criticism. I want them to help improve me. A company I would really like to visit for a day would be Kaiser Permanente. I used to have their insurance and everyone that was working just seemed so happy and had high spirits. I would like to know what it would be like working for them for a while.

I feel as if there are a number of experiences that have built skills and character that I acquire. Through incidences at school, at home or out in the streets, I feel as if it all contributed to traits that I have and made me the person I am today. For instance, as the youngest in my family, I took on the role as mommy when my mom was not home. I love to clean, so everyday I would come home from school, do my homework and clean the house before my mom came home. My mom knew I solely did this, so she saw me as responsible. She then kept giving me things to do while my older siblings got away with doing nothing. Even though I saw this an unfair, it built me. Because of this, I am now more responsible and more independent than my older siblings.
An incident where my character was being tested was back in grade school. It was obvious that I was more heavy set than the other kids and they saw it as well. Being in grade school, everyone wants to have their say, so they would not let anything go unsaid. In short, I was bullied a lot by people that I used to associate everyday with. When I was in grade school, I used to play basketball with the boys at recess. Being so into the games, they used to make fun of me if they were losing. But the teasing did not stop at school, even my aunts and uncles used to make fun of me. I was raised with very low self esteem. When you are told you are something for the longest time, you start to believe it. I have had my days and nights with tears, but it made me grow and build into a stronger person. Now, I am confident. I could be thrown into a room full of people and make a speech because I have gained so much confidence over the years that I am okay with who I am now.
I am proud of my culture. I like being part of a minority even though the odds are against us. I feel as if being a minority makes being successfully so much more worth it because the stats say that a significant amount of us will not make as money as the majority. Being Filipino also has opened my eyes. It made me more open minded to things. For instance, there are many cultural difference between America and the Philippines; food for example. Most people are afraid to try things that are not familiar to them, but being of a different culture, I am not that hesitant to try new things.
Through all these experiences, I have found out that I am responsible, independent, confident and courageous. I have learned so much through this too. That is why though every bad event in my life, I take it as a learning experience. Even though it might seem like the worst thing in the world at the time, you walk out stronger and more knowledgable in the end.

Coming into class, I was not expecting to be so moved as I was. Devon did a great job in leading the class. He left me emotional and speechless. Hearing him speak to us on what motivates us only reminded me of why I am trying so hard the way that I am.

I remember a time when I was little. My parents used to fight constantly and consistently. My dad would always be so angry and it turned into many conflicts with not just my mom, but with my half siblings and myself. There was a point in time where I wanted nothing to do with my dad. We had been on rocks for years and years. We never fully recovered and that is where we stand today. Throughout my whole life, it has been my mom, brother and grandpa standing by my side. Although I do have 4 other half siblings, I did not grow and bond with them as well as my brother and I. I remember growing up, I saw my mom in so much hurt and pain. She cried all the time that every time she cried, I cried with her. It got to a point that was so bad that even when she was watching a chick-flick that made her cry, I would cry with her because I remember the hurt in her eyes from long ago. After my parents separated, I craved for the approval from my mom, brother and grandpa. Hearing a “good job” or “I am so proud of you” made my day. After my parents separated, times were tough. My mom would worry about how she would put food on the table and about how her credit might go bad because the bills were not getting paid in time. As years went on, things got better. I have not seen the hurt in her eyes that I once saw long ago and even though money is still tight, we are stable. I am blessed to be in college. Through everything, my mom, brother and grandpa are my why. There is nothing more that I want than to hear my mom, brother and grandpa say that they are proud of me. I told them my life goal and they have supported my every step of the way. They are why I want to get to where I want to be. My mom and grandpa have taken care of me my whole life and after I am establish I want to return the favor. They are my why.

Think Optimistically. Work efficiently. Lead Courageously.

A lot of times, the question is asked, “Tell me about yourself”. It seems like an easy question at first, but when trying to answer, it can be overwhelming.

Well to start, I am Melissa De Silva. I receive my education at the University of Oregon. I have hopes in getting my BA in business with the concentration of accounting. I am also going to double minor in Spanish and Econ. I am from Rancho Cucamonga, California. I am Filipino. I feel as if my heritage gave me a different view of the world. Being a minority helps me realize that we face more challenges than most. We are fighting against the statistics. Also, going to the Philippines and seeing so many people live in poverty makes me appreciate everything I have and own so much more. Many people do not get the privileges that I am offered, so I am forever grateful. Besides my appreciation towards my heritage, I am also a sports girl. I love going to the gym and playing basketball or going on a run. I would love to discuss sports with anyone. I am also a big movie fanatic. I can sit and watch movies for hours if time provided it to me.

The three words above describe me the most effectively. I think optimistically. Negative thoughts only bring out negative attitudes. If you work with an optimistic mind, things might not get done sooner, but they will get done better. We put as much effort into something by the way we think of it.
I work efficiently. I believe there is not enough time in the day and even if time were to be added to the day, I feel as if I would find more productive things to do throughout the day. Since we only have 24 hours everyday, I try to utilize the time given to me to its fullest extent. Even if I am caught procrastinating, I procrastinate with work that is due a week from now. Why put off later what you can do now?
I lead courageously. Since we only have one life to live, why not put your best foot forward? It takes a certain type of person to lead and I feel as if I have those qualities. To be courageous, you need confidence. I have enough confidence to not be scared to be put in the front of the pack.

As break passed by and we entered the BBL classroom for the first time, in the new term, you could already tell the difference in the atmosphere. Coming in fall term everyone was quiet and reserved to themselves, now it’s like we created a family. A family with the same purpose and the same goals. It was a little hard to get class started because of all the chatter, but it went well underway. As always, we were challenged as a group. We had to take on the challenge of everyone stepping on a tarp and having to turn it over to the other side. We tried a couple ways, but we solved it until 17 minutes. As Tayah told us the challenge, I remember thinking to myself that it could not be done, but with critical thinking and the help with my peers, we got the job done. Even though essentially, the challenge was to flip a tarp over, it had deeper meaning. I interpreted that even if something seems impossible to do, take the time needed to get it solved and do not be afraid of turning to your peers or advisors because they are “flipping the same tarp” you are or already have done so.

Through the business school, I am aiming for a BA in business with the concentration of accounting. Along the way, I have the hopes of double minoring in Spanish and Econ. Coming out of college, I am aiming to work for the city of LA or to work at a university. I am going to do job shadowing programs, so I can further enhance my knowledge in that career work. Overall, I want to become an account because of job stability and I love numbers. I am often told accounting is the language of business and everyone needs a good account, so that is where I will come in.

This seminar was when everyone gave their final presentations. It amazes me how each group did an outstanding job. I could tell there was so much growth from week 1 until week 10! I am so glad I am apart of a group of people with the same ideas and values as myself. This class gives each and every student an opportunity to grow and get familiar with their strengths and their weaknesses. I remember before BBL, during a group project, as being a planner, I would just loved to take charge and get everything done independently. After these seminars, I have learned that it is better to stop and ask for opinions and let other people in on the project.

In this session of BBL, we were put to the test to use our resources around Lillis. We had the challenge of trying to find places like the tutoring center and the career center. It was a team effort and I would say we worked well together because we all contributed into finding the locations. Through the challenge, we discovered places that we did not even know was in the building. Also, we ran into the president of the UO himself! Through this challenge, I have gained more knowledge of Lillis and hope to use my resources when need be.