At home, I'm the chef's assistant (my mother cooks a
fresh meal almost everyday). I'm also the landscaper's helper (my dad's work in
the yard never seems to end), and I'm even a nurse for my three siblings when
they get sick. I would say that my duties at home extend to that of a janitor,
teacher, translator and many other fields, but for the first time ever, my job
title became Communications and Development Intern at CentroNía. Even more
incredible: I got paid for it!
This summer while I was not at Capital City PublicCharter School, my days at CentroNía began at 10 a.m. every Monday through
Thursday. I would walk through the tall and heavy glass door, where a staff
member would always be there ready to welcome you to the building with a big
smile. I later learned that I wasn't the only special person to be personally
greeted; all staff members rotate at the door on a daily basis before and after
school. Next, I would take 50 steps up the stairs until I reached the third
floor. I was encouraged not to use the elevator and eat healthy for the sake of
following CentroNía's wellness model, as they take pride in being a national
example. I must admit though, it was tempting to eat chips or fries, but after
time you simply don't do it because others around you don't.
Once in the Communications and Development office, I
received projects from my bosses. At times I was asked to file, organize,
translate from English to Spanish, input data in the computer, plan, write and
many other things. I especially loved the moment I was asked to serve as
photographer for an event where students were creating art projects with
recycled materials. I was there to capture those special moments and we used
the photos for bigger communication and development purposes. Another
assignment I enjoyed was using social media to help communicate messages with
the community. And on other occasions, I was asked to record audio messages for
parent communication in English and Spanish. In many ways, I was a natural
assistant since this had been in my DNA since I was a child at home, so now at
17 years-old and in a real job setting, it was no different for me. I had responsibilities and I knew they just
had to get done.
What I mostly got out of this paid internship was the
feeling that I could be hired - one day.
I saw my possibilities as limitless.whether I want to be a teacher,
nurse, principal, or anything else. I feel that I can work hard to have a good
job and maybe even have enough money to travel or buy a home for my family. Who
knows what the future holds for me, but for now, what I hear is that more
Latinas are enrolling in college. And that Latinas are using both English and
Spanish in their jobs. I guess mom was right when she told me that knowing
Spanish would come in handy.
I feel so lucky that 54 other interns and I had the
opportunity to hold our first job, cash our checks and more important, realize
that this could be the beginning of a professional career for us. My next plan
is to make my parents proud by graduating from high school, then graduate from
college, and eventually become a professional in a field of work. I know that
if I can wear many hats at home, I can do the same out there in the real world.
CentroNía believed in me and my capabilities by allowing me to intern with them
and I am hopeful someone else will, once again, in the near future.
'
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