As I reflect on my first blog post, I have challenged and pushed myself professionally. Over the years I have supported others with writing grants, but never did I challenge myself to write. Being a Kenan Fellows and meeting a person like Keith Burgess (Kenan Fellows 2019) inspired me to write. Yes, with the encouragement from Mr. Burgess and the support from the Kenan Fellows Program, I wrote my first grant and was awarded a $5,000 grant to provide college and career readiness opportunities for students at my school.

During my internship I was able to see and learn great things about the biotechnology industry. This experience allowed me to take what I learned and provide more career expose opportunities for students. Being apart of the Kenan Fellows Program has given me a chance to learn more, collaborate and grow professionally.

Describe a moment when your students experienced an “Ah-Ha” or “light bulb” moment because of something you taught them.

This semester I have been working with students on resume writing and mock interviews. One student expressed how they submitted their application and did not get a call back from a job. However, they were able to transfer what they learned in class by following up with the employer with a phone call. Yes, the student received an interview and was hired. The student learned the value in taking the extra step showed their genuine interest in the position.

My fellowship has changed me as a Career Development Coordinator. I have stepped up to be involved with leadership activities at the State and National level. I have been more intentional in planning career activities and building a career culture across all curriculum areas in my school.

My most interesting moment was going to the product lab at Biogen and seeing the process of packaging medicine. I also got the opportunity to see a device that simulated the digestive system and the processes on how medication is ingested/digested.

My biggest challenge was not being able to be exposed to the Community Labs in person (I understand safety is first). I would have liked to engage with the students on a more personal level. However, it was great seeing the students start and finish their research projects focused on neurological diseases. I learned a lot from the students during my virtual experience with them. I didn’t know that Vitamin D has connection with multiple sclerosis.

During my experience, I was also able to interview many employees at Biogen from directors to a manufacturing associate. My biggest takeaway is that you don’t need a Science or Math background to work at Biogen. Biogen offers many career opportunities for their employees. This knowledge of career opportunities has changed they way I look and think about biotechnology companies. I feel I am better equipped to inform my students about the biotechnology/life sciences career pathway.

During my internship I have been able to see and learn some great things about the biotechnology industry. I was able to take a tour of Biogen, learn about various careers in the field, Community Labs observations and listen to a personal story of Alzheimer’s. I was even able to put on a PPE gown before entering sterile areas of Biogen, this was exciting and nerve racking. While putting on the PPE, I had to make sure I put things on in order, not letting the gown fall to the floor and staying in the clean area. Did I pass the test? 🙂

What has been mostly great is that I was also able to participate in a Psychological Safety Inclusive Leadership Training. Creating a culture of trust and building relationships is important in the workplace and I also could see the importance in an education setting. Being apart of this training would allow me to transfer what I have learned and expose students and teachers on the importance of building a culture of trust in the workplace. 

It has been somewhat of challenge because most of my internship is online due to COVID (understanding safety is 1st). In the beginning with my team we struggled with narrowing down a product that would reflect our internships and our district’s mission of building a career pipeline to biotechnology careers. As a group we are all creative and have so many great ideas for a product, I think we may have come up with a solution for creating a PD for teachers.

After students complete their career assessments in Xello. I plan on using the Graffiti Wall to allow students to share their career interest with the class. This would be a great way for students to learn about various careers and interact with each other. I would also like to incorporate the GooseChase, this activity would be a great way for students to collaborate, build relationships and build employability skills.

I have learned so much this week and have been given the opportunity to collaborate with other educators across various curriculum areas across the state. The other PD’s that I have attended have focused on my content area. However, during this week I have learned about the history of Judaculla Rock, how to test the quality of water, and a wealth of instructional strategies that I can take back to my school and share. This has been a great experience for me to learn and connect with the different disciplines.

During this week I hope I am able to gain insight in ways to better support students and teacher growth. I hope I am able to take what I have learned and infuse it with career readiness and ways to build a pipeline to all career pathways. I would like to be challenged to grow personally and professionally during this fellowship.

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