Lonna's Words of Wisdom
Most students anticipate their time in the IC LA Program to be spent enjoying the balmy SoCal weather, roadtripping to Vegas and San Fran, indulging the LA Nightlife, and oh yea...interning and taking classes. For me, I enjoyed all of those things and some!
I had the opportunity to mentor and facilitate weekly resume writing/interviewing workshops at Aviva High School in Los Angeles. Aviva is an all girls school for young ladies who require special education and clinical services, not otherwise offered in typical high schools. Weekly, I met with a different group of girls, ranging from freshmen to seniors, to discuss how to construct an effective resume, particularly the elements of a resume and the importance of acquiring skills that will distinguish you from other applicants vying for a job position, or in their case, college admission. We also discussed how to prepare for an interview--researching the company, punctuality, dressing and conducting yourself appropriately, types of questions to ask, etc.
For my last day at Aviva, I invited my sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, to join me in organizing a step show for the girls. It was immensely rewarding to me to field questions from girls whose interest was now piqued by the prospect of college. They asked questions about what their GPA should be, what kind community service they need, and of course, how to step like a Devastating Diva. I have committed myself to always supporting Aviva High School, even if remotely through the local chapter of my sorority.
So when asked, "How did you spend your semester in LA?" Of course I can talk of conquering the waves of Laguna, surviving the Pacific Coast Highway and the Big Sur Mountains; I can mention the celebrity encounters,my night in VIP with Diddy, and cutting off Whitney Houston at the light. I can mention the impression I left on my colleagues at my internships and part-time job, as my advisor implored me to make a name for myself. But, what is more is that I can talk of the heartprint imprinted on my heart from the girls at Aviva High School, and hopefully the one I left on theirs.
So long SoCal,
Lonna Dawson
I had the opportunity to mentor and facilitate weekly resume writing/interviewing workshops at Aviva High School in Los Angeles. Aviva is an all girls school for young ladies who require special education and clinical services, not otherwise offered in typical high schools. Weekly, I met with a different group of girls, ranging from freshmen to seniors, to discuss how to construct an effective resume, particularly the elements of a resume and the importance of acquiring skills that will distinguish you from other applicants vying for a job position, or in their case, college admission. We also discussed how to prepare for an interview--researching the company, punctuality, dressing and conducting yourself appropriately, types of questions to ask, etc.
For my last day at Aviva, I invited my sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, to join me in organizing a step show for the girls. It was immensely rewarding to me to field questions from girls whose interest was now piqued by the prospect of college. They asked questions about what their GPA should be, what kind community service they need, and of course, how to step like a Devastating Diva. I have committed myself to always supporting Aviva High School, even if remotely through the local chapter of my sorority.
So when asked, "How did you spend your semester in LA?" Of course I can talk of conquering the waves of Laguna, surviving the Pacific Coast Highway and the Big Sur Mountains; I can mention the celebrity encounters,my night in VIP with Diddy, and cutting off Whitney Houston at the light. I can mention the impression I left on my colleagues at my internships and part-time job, as my advisor implored me to make a name for myself. But, what is more is that I can talk of the heartprint imprinted on my heart from the girls at Aviva High School, and hopefully the one I left on theirs.
So long SoCal,
Lonna Dawson
posted by Jon Bassinger-Flores @ 3:59 PM
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