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Community & First Generation Graduates · AccessCo Leaders Career Conversations

• speaker-0: Welcome Miguel Ortiz. Thank you so much for being on AccessCo Leaders to speak into our students from Community Academy of Philadelphia. So let's jump into it in one to two sentences. Tell us what Concentrico LLC does and what your role is as senior manager. speaker-1: Absolutely. So Concentrico is a social impact consulting firm. specialize in helping nonprofit organizations, as well as the public sector, meaning ⁓ all levels, to of achieve the missions that they have. So we with these organizations and we kind of help them figure out what the roadblocks are to the things that they want to do. And as senior ⁓ I supervise the the mission, the things that are leading them in to obtain speaker-2: the government. speaker-3: the project. speaker-1: and achieve the missions that they have. And I supervise the team and the different consultants and leaders that work on these projects on a day-to-day basis and along with the nonprofit leaders. speaker-0: Okay, so you really have to be a jack of all trades across industries and all the issues and everything alike that comes up on a day to day basis. Is that right? speaker-1: Yeah, absolutely. takes the ability to be able to act fast, adapt to the needs of our clients and the different problems and the solutions that they need. speaker-3: the speaker-0: Okay? And so you personally, what's one problem you're trying to solve? speaker-1: So I think right now for who's in the public sector and the nonprofit space, it's ⁓ very hard get things done. A lot of leaders have a lot of passion and interest ⁓ in a area. So someone works in education, someone that works in social justice or in women's rights. Like they have the interest and the passion to work in a specific issue area, but they sometimes don't have, ⁓ and it's not their detriment, it's not... speaker-3: area. speaker-1: their fault that they don't have the skills, the business skills or the legal skills, the planning abilities to get their mission done. ⁓ I'm trying to do is how do I build the capacity? How do I help these leaders ⁓ great at what they do? speaker-3: skills. speaker-0: Love it, love it. And so where did you grow up? And then I think we know where you are now, but if you want to tell us a little bit about that. speaker-1: Absolutely. So I'm ⁓ in the east of Puerto Rico by the name of Umacao. And I grew up there for all my life, went to high school and everything there, and then decided to pursue my undergrad education in Florida. So I joke that I'm, I feel part Floridian because afterwards I stayed there for, ⁓ quite some And then decided that I had, I felt like the call to come back home. speaker-3: Originally from all town. speaker-1: and do this work that I do based off from Puerto Rico. And so that I'm currently in San Juan, the capital. speaker-0: Okay, yeah, that's amazing. You could go and get all that experience and then bring it back home. ⁓ And so in middle school and high school, what was keeping you busy? Were you already helping out all those around you and motivated by that or? speaker-1: I Yeah, so from very much a young age, I knew that whatever I did with in the future, I had to be something that helped others. That was my of my tagline. Whenever they were asking, what do you want to do? I'd say, I want to do something that helps others. I always saw that like the type of work that I wanted to had to be mission. And I knew and because of that, I was involved in community service. It's a really big part of what I did. So in high school, actually graduated speaker-3: to do oriented. speaker-1: with hundreds of hours of community service over the required amount for my graduation I wanted to just be able to help a community. So I helped at a tutoring center. ⁓ helped with an environmental organization with like beach cleanups and all types of different efforts here on the island, as well as some other smaller initiatives and projects. And in addition to that, I liked the civic engagement, so I was really part of my student body organization association at the time as well. speaker-0: That's amazing. You really felt that call to serve at such a young age and then you're really able to continue to fulfill that and yourself. So love to hear that. So let's see what our students have for you. speaker-5: see that you worked many jobs in the past. ⁓ job taught you the most? speaker-4: Mm-hmm. speaker-1: I that. That's a great question. I think my, the job that actually helped me center ⁓ kind of like really work on my passions was actually my first job as an academic advisor. So roughly after ⁓ I worked at ⁓ a small college in Florida, helping students plan, do their academic planning. So kind of figure out what they wanted to do with their lives. And actually that, that a really touching experience because speaker-3: Florida. speaker-1: My job was to be their advocate within the education, the higher education system. I was a person that was through the different challenges, through the different like things that needed to be figured out and through, and helping them also have a vision. How do I, how do they, how do I help those students create a vision for their lives and ⁓ help help them materialize that into reality? So it's really touching to be that person, that guide that they could go to so they could execute ⁓ that. ⁓ speaker-3: holding their hands. speaker-1: I felt I was making a lot of difference in their lives because if it were not for the advocacy that I was providing on a one-on-one basis, then it would have been harder for those students to achieve those dreams. So ⁓ I think that job really shaped I treat ⁓ the work that I do even today. speaker-0: I love that. And it's so perfect that you're joining us on AccessCo Leaders with that experience. And we do have some juniors and seniors on today. So second half, you'll get an opportunity to kind of pour some of that experience you gained ⁓ the students on today as they prepare for their next steps in university. All right, Chris, speaker-5: ⁓ What helps make your job easy? what do you do that makes everything more easier? speaker-1: I love that question. I of the things that ⁓ helps me and has helped me at every stage of my career has been to always have a mindset of wanting to learn more. I think it would be wrong us to think that we've arrived at any point, any stage of our lives. So I think it's really important to always keep that mindset of always learning. So I think it makes my job easier to have that mindset because I realized that like, just because I've done something once, in a certain way doesn't mean I have to continue to do that. There's room for growth. And so whereas I can get information from talking to other colleagues, speaking to other people that are not even in my field, reading a reading an article, always staying ⁓ in touch what's happening in the world, I think that's really important. ⁓ And it my job easier because I find new ways to do the same things that I have to do every day. So that mindset helps me evolve and just be better at my job. speaker-3: for improvement. always speaker-1: ⁓ and makes my job easier. speaker-0: Yeah, so it really is mind over matter. Your mindset is really setting you up to enjoy what you do on a daily basis and remaining curious. How can I learn how to do this better or improve it for everybody around me? So I love that. Yeah, you're keeping it exciting in your own way. speaker-5: What skills mean success to you in your field of work? speaker-4: Wow. speaker-1: So that's really important. So I think creativity is one that is key. No ⁓ problems look the same. No two organizations look the same. No two tasks look same. So even though there's a basis, a skill that's like at the basis of everything that we do, I think being creative and the solutions and the plans and the work that we do with our clients is very important. I think another skill set is learning how to just be organized and organized goes from being able to take good notes to ⁓ writing good emails and even just like filing something in a computer are very important is very, ⁓ it's very important skill set to have. And last a good writer. think writing is very important ⁓ and being able to more than just like the act of writing. speaker-3: Lastly, speaker-1: is key and essential to what I do. speaker-0: Okay, yeah, so it's really the planning the outset that really, that really keeps you ahead of the game. And on top of things, having those in place for yourself. And that's kind time outside of work, you know, having everything delineated so that you can go in and things will feel that that ease. Okay. speaker-6: All right, Miguel rewind back to when you started undergrad. I have a question about your transition from Puerto Rico and then going to Florida, which isn't too far, but did you have friends? Did you have family in the area when you started school? What was that? What was that ⁓ transition like for you? And if you can share with our students and some of our listeners, what is it like when you move away from home to go to college and start making those decisions and everything? speaker-4: Yeah. ⁓ speaker-1: I agree with you, Ilyne. think though Puerto Rico ⁓ Florida are physically close to each other and have a lot of connections, given like the big Puerto Rican diaspora that there even is in it still felt like they were worlds apart. ⁓ Just no two will feel the same and to pursue a higher education away from them, there's always, it's that transition period in your life where there is going to be change and it's not gonna feel the same. speaker-3: home. speaker-1: In my case, I didn't have direct family ⁓ in the central Florida area at the time, but I did ⁓ find connection and I did find a group of people that I connected with both on campus as a student and off campus. So off campus, ⁓ at time I joined a church and was really active in that and built community and found friends that were at the same stage of life ⁓ and beyond I really connected with and helped me throughout my college experience. on campus, I'd say I dived in. I dived into all the extracurricular opportunities that were available. I connected with all of my staff members. I leaned into connecting with my faculty advisor at the time and just really tried to build the community. And so I think that was very key, even though I probably didn't know it as intentionally as I know now. What I was doing was building community. And I think that's something you intentionally have to do when you transition. it happens organically, but most of the time your success is going to be built and based on you doing that work to make those connections. Your network I would say, not after you graduate college, but the moment you step foot on college on the first day. speaker-0: Yes, it sounds like you had a really strong sense of self making that transition, which really helped you where to seek out that sense of community ⁓ a whole new place. Love it. All right, Alvin. speaker-4: you speaker-5: ⁓ Why do you enjoy working with non-profit organizations? speaker-1: So I would say that question for me has a twofold answer. The first one is because back to like kind of my own personal mission of like helping others, I ⁓ to do that in a way where ⁓ I'm doing it indirectly because I work with the nonprofit leaders, ⁓ I'm helping them achieve their mission. So it helps them, I'm helping the leaders fulfill kind of their goals and their own personal calling, but also I'm able to help speaker-3: personal. speaker-1: the people that they serve with the business initiatives that they're leading. And secondly, think nonprofits do all of the work that a lot of people don't know about. Sometimes it's invisible work and fill the gap ⁓ between public sector and the private sector in a way that we really don't see the effects of not having it because we have good nonprofits leaders out there speaker-3: program service. We watch them on the speaker-1: doing that work. But if we're not for this big network of nonprofit leaders, the world would look very different. speaker-0: Most definitely. Is there one cause or initiative that you feel closest to? speaker-1: ⁓ absolutely. think based on my like professional kind of journey began in higher education, I feel like I always go back to that ⁓ place. education is the number one or one of the best ways to eliminate poverty in the world because it provides access opportunity. It creates access to just personal and personal development and advancement. ⁓ And so then I it's such a powerful tool that speaker-3: education. higher education. speaker-1: ⁓ Unfortunately, nowadays is under attacked and also undervalued. And so for I always go back to that place because ⁓ there's work, like workforce development opportunities or higher education access work, I love, I ⁓ dive deep into because it's a really strong passion of mine. speaker-3: community. speaker-0: Love that. Yeah, knowledge is power ⁓ and it can be a general generational reverb starting that out. All right, Chris. speaker-3: Barcelona. speaker-5: What's your long-term goal or do you have one? speaker-1: So to be honest, ⁓ I feel like through life I've learned that ⁓ you have to be able to pivot life. knew that ⁓ I to do this type of work, ⁓ like said, all the way from middle school and high school. But to be honest, I don't know if I imagined it looking like this. So I I've learned that life it's important to have specific plans and kind of a a laid out route for you to follow. And so then at my beginning stage, it was going to law school, it was getting a master's degree, it was completing college. I think for this next phase, I'm just really open to the different opportunities that may arise. And I see myself continuing this work from my organization, helping nonprofits grow and hopefully being able to grow projects that I speaker-3: and health. the scale. speaker-1: This last two years I've been able, I was able to help with a project that was across three to four states. so then in the next 10 years, I hope to ⁓ a nonprofit perhaps a project that has nationwide impact or maybe ⁓ go the scale of going international ⁓ as too. So I'm open to that. But with said, I'm also open to any other opportunities that may arise. And with the... how fast it's changing, who knows what our world will look like and I'm also open to that as well. speaker-0: Okay, so you had a lot of things you wanted to accomplish and you set out and you did accomplish those things. And now you're able to kind of enjoy the journey a little bit, a little bit more and kind of see where it takes you and what what mission calls to you and go from there. So I love that. Yeah. Lewis. speaker-5: What are some challenges you face every day? speaker-1: would say a personal and then of an external kind of like professional one. ⁓ A personal is sometimes ⁓ motivation. Finding motivation to continue to do the work that you set out to do is hard because some days you'll feel motivated and other days it'll take you to do some personal reflection and pull motivation from where you don't have it as And so then I would say it's really important to Stay focused, stay organized so that chaos of the everyday doesn't consume you. And then another challenge I would say that I find in my work is that there's a lot of issues, like a lot of different social issues that are out there, a lot of nonprofit leaders, but not enough funding to support their work. So I'm helping leaders do a lot more with a lot less. ⁓ That is a very interesting dichotomy of an issue. And so how do I help my leaders, the leaders that I support know and understand that what they're doing, they're doing enough, right? They're doing ⁓ much as they can and how do I help them prepare for their next phase? So I would say those two problems are always at the, I'm always heading those two things. speaker-0: All right, so being got to be resourceful, be ready for anything, stay on the tip of your toes be able to problem solve at the drop of a dime. speaker-6: you mentioned earlier that you learned a lot about having pivots in your career. Can you share with us a little bit about your decision making and how you knew it was about time to apply law school or leave central Florida and go back to Puerto Rico? What did you feel, like those sensations you felt in your body or the conversations that you had and maybe some of the mentors that helped you make those decisions? speaker-4: Yeah. speaker-1: I think for me, like I said earlier, I a definitely very clear path in terms of like some kind of like big picture goals that I wanted to obtain. I wanted to get a bachelor's degree and I knew that I ⁓ specifically I wanted a master's in my instance, in my case, sorry, public administration. So I knew I had those two big large goals. those two goals, I allowed myself to have a period of reflection of like, where was I gonna go next? What was I gonna do? speaker-3: Once I completed the Google. speaker-1: And so then I think I would encourage everyone to just have some general directions, right? That allow you to like have the flexibility to move with life. my personal experience at the time, my were, one of my parents was very sick. They've hence and now they're doing well. But at the time they were sick, so that also influenced my decision to move home. But I had achieved the two major goals that I had, which was obtaining my bachelor's and my master's. speaker-3: achieve. speaker-1: I would say have a plan, but also be flexible to kind of the different events that will happen all throughout your life. And I think that is very key. I think mentors are great to helping you to find What is the direction that I can do? And I think mine were the mentors that I have in my life were the that inspired me to look out for more. So once I completed my master's, they were like, well, speaker-3: mentor to find what should be, but has a reasonable goal for heat up. speaker-1: The work that you want to do really aligns with law school. Law school would be a great fit for you. Have you considered it? And like not only helping me with the procedural aspect of ⁓ law school, but also kind of the internal work that is required to pursue something like that. So I think a mix of both of those elements that come together and help you decide when it's time to pivot. speaker-3: do. See applying. speaker-0: Well, yeah, thank you. I love your story. Thank you for sharing so candidly. yeah, the flexibility really is a luxury that you won't always be afforded. But again, being resourceful and adaptable really helped you along the way. speaker-5: Besides being flexible, what other skills do you think are ⁓ important for your job? speaker-1: I think good interpersonal relationships ⁓ are And then I would tie that to communication. Team member is important regardless ⁓ of your right? Your position in hierarchy in an organization. I think it's important to know how to work with different types of people. And so ⁓ the workforce will launch to work with individuals that maybe are very different from you, have a very different working style ⁓ from you. speaker-3: skills are. being a good. speaker-1: So learning how to navigate other people and navigate their styles is very important because it'll create, it'll you to have the ability not only for you to advance your own personal growth, but grow and be more effective in the work that you do. speaker-0: Love it. So what would you say your superpower is? speaker-1: Wow. love that question. I think my superpower ⁓ is ability to connect and have empathy with the people that I meet. I feel like I have the ability to connect with others and basically feed from the motivation and inspiration that they have. so then I think my ⁓ superpower is that because I feel like I'm a good partner in the work that people are doing. ⁓ And I think I'm a person that knows how to walk next to someone. speaker-0: I love that. Yeah, empathy really does that does help you be able to connect and be a good mentor and also ⁓ obviously with the work you're doing with ⁓ so. speaker-1: What does the past grow? speaker-5: of wolf look like you in this world? How far do you wanna go? speaker-1: So ⁓ like the type of work that I do, right, which is bottom line, a type of consultant. Generally, the ladder for that can go from being a consultant, so just ⁓ a member that transitioning through different prior, fulfilling different projects with different clients. And then that, there's typically some type of leadership role. So a senior manager or ⁓ maybe a team lead. speaker-3: being. project director. speaker-1: And that person is, they're still doing the work a part of the project, but they're more supervising that the work, that the scope ⁓ the fine for that project is fulfilled. And so after you're looking at more of an executive role within the different, the firm that you worked. So that, those are your typical chief, ⁓ like executive, like CEO, And so, ⁓ speaker-3: See you. speaker-1: for my path that I'm on right now, like the next stage would look something in that type of role, that executive level. But also, I could also transition to returning to a specific nonprofit or a higher ed institution ⁓ and doing executive level work at that level as well too. speaker-0: That's amazing and it sounds like really all the education has really afforded you that kind of varied opportunities and kind of be able to see wide and far ⁓ at all you can do. So I love that. All right, Louis, ⁓ more from you. speaker-5: What does your day-to-day life look like outside of the work field? speaker-1: So my life right now revolves around my family and my friends most of the time and my adorable goal that I love. So outside of my work, I'm in a stage of my life where I'm really trying to pick up different hobbies and just try to be outdoors the most that I can. I think we spend a lot of time on computers, right? Talking to screens, being indoors and meetings and going from client to client. speaker-2: doodle. speaker-1: So I think I'm trying to build healthy habits of doing things outside of my house or outside of the office that also include trying to read more and trying to run more, trying to perhaps riding a bike more. I enjoy walking and so I have these different neighborhoods where I live that have beautiful homes and have different like walkable areas and I love walking around and just enjoying the day as well. And I'm in Puerto Rico so I can't... help but say going to the ⁓ is a big one for speaker-0: Definitely. It sounds like maybe you're trying to train yourself to take time for yourself so that you can come back to work refreshed with a fresh mind and things like that and kind of, ⁓ you know, reintegrating the importance of rest your success in your business as well. Is that right? speaker-1: Absolutely, and traveling as much as I can is a fun. speaker-0: Excellent. Yeah. What do you want the students to know about why they should travel or why that should be important to them as they grow? speaker-1: So I think naturally, right, growing up, you have a little bit of a fear of like going to other countries because it feels different and it's outside of our comfort zone. I think traveling is a really good opportunity to learn about another place, try different food. But actually, I've noticed it from myself that traveling to another country, even traveling to another state, helps me dream more. It helps me see like the realities in other places and how differently people do things. And it inspires me like, I recently, last year, got the amazing opportunity to go to Spain for two weeks. ⁓ And was blown away by the the walking culture there. People walk everywhere. People walk from their house a nearby restaurant or to meet a friend ⁓ for 45 And for them, that's ⁓ on average. we hear that on our side. And we're like, speaker-3: probably here. 45 minute walk? you serious? That's too much. speaker-1: ⁓ but I really, I really enjoyed that because they, they, they take it even the daily opportunity to walk from point A to point B as an opportunity to contemplate, to talk to a friend, to catch up on a podcast. So it really, you really learn how I learned how to enjoy life even in the mundane. and so things like that you pick up when you travel and you see how other people do life. speaker-0: Wow, that's like the perfect because you were just talking about how you're trying to incorporate those things in your life and now we know where you got the inspiration. All right, we'll switch gears a little bit. So Lewis is interested in law school. But Lewis, you can go ahead and jump in with us. speaker-3: Exactly, yeah. speaker-0: little bit more. speaker-5: Yeah, so after high school, because I'm currently a junior, after high school, plan to hopefully attend University of Chicago and then stay there for years and then attend law school. speaker-0: All right. what should he be starting to think about now as he's planning for the next four years and then those years after that, how can he set himself up really speaker-1: ⁓ I think that is an awesome plan. That's a great school. wishing you the best in that journey and being to ⁓ pursue I have ⁓ couple things to mind ⁓ as like key things that I would suggest. Number one, and I think you're already ⁓ doing great with that, get mentors. Pull in your life ⁓ that you that you can come back to and support you and guide you and help you figure out ⁓ how to things. speaker-3: get people. speaker-1: a support system that you can talk to whenever you have a doubt. So I think that's the really key before you launch into ⁓ experience. ⁓ try to do the most that you can ⁓ terms of classroom, right? Like get your 160 credits needed for, or 120 credits needed to graduate with your bachelor's degree, but opportunities of the school that you go to. speaker-3: to your. Secondly, in your undergrad experience. not only inside the classroom. speaker-1: to participate in extracurricular activities that are of your interest. intern, study abroad, ask them to connect you with other ⁓ who have done the similar, the same type of thing that you're interested in. And really just try to start building your network. Your network is so important, like right after you graduate from undergrad and even ⁓ after school. I would say to take those opportunities outside the classroom and being intentional are really, important. And I would say also once you get into maybe like if you can from your first or second year, that's great. But if not, your third or fourth year of college, try to do internships Think about where do you see yourself practicing law? Is it for the government? Is it for a nonprofit, hopefully? Is it for the private sector? speaker-3: college to internship. speaker-1: Is it a particular type of job? Do you yourself as a labor attorney? ⁓ maybe as a housing, ⁓ housing or corporate attorney, whatever it is that drop in, ⁓ feel like you have to decide at that time. But ⁓ being exposed to those topics, where does that be with like small externship conversations, internship, a semester, even a month or a particular project. And just try to get your, you know, your feet wet in terms of all the different speaker-3: the law. your address. Start exploring. for us. speaker-1: types of law that there are so that way you start getting familiarized with what the legal field looks like and Where you could possibly practice law in the future as well speaker-0: Lewis, can you speak to what you're thinking a little bit or what you thought of that advice? speaker-5: Okay, ⁓ I thought that advice was really nice, especially the part with the mentors because I don't really have like anybody in mind or anybody who I could really speak to about the topic. So I thought that that was really like nice. speaker-0: Yeah, now we can. speaker-1: I absolutely think that. ⁓ sorry. speaker-0: Yeah, no, you could jump in. That's what I was going to say. So go ahead. speaker-1: I was going to say that, for example, in my case, I have also mentors that were in the legal field when I entered undergrad or law school as well. So first of all, I want you to feel very comfortable with that and you're not the only one. And now you have me as a connection, but absolutely, like what you should do is once you get into your undergrad program, I think it's going to be very important that you talk to your faculty and you talk to your advisors. speaker-3: Didn't have important speaker-1: ⁓ It's important that you voice the interest that you have and that you tell your faculty advisor. Maybe you take an intro to law class or legal studies or something in that neighborhood. Or maybe it's even something that's far removed from the legal field. But it's important to have conversations with the people that you'll be interacting with at the institution and letting them know what you're interested in. And being like, hey professor, loved your class. I'm curious. speaker-3: New York. speaker-1: I want to go to law school. I want to go to X lock like insert here name of a law school or I want to do. You know anyone would you be able to connect me with sometimes faculty and staff obviously are working with a lot of students and so it takes it takes some agency from our part to voice what we will. So that they can connect you and share the resources that they have. I know it's intimidating and I don't want to make it. I don't want to minimize right the. speaker-3: this type of law do you in voice. speaker-2: do and where we want to go. speaker-1: the complexities of that. But I do think that you have to start knocking on doors ⁓ until you hear a no, ⁓ until hear yes. ⁓ so, ⁓ and me, once you're in college and even in law school, a lot people want to ⁓ be resource help, but they need to know what is it that you're interested in and what is it that you want to do in order to lead you in that direction. So sometimes it's like, I don't know what I want to do exactly, but I know it's speaker-3: Hey, I'm a student in law school. speaker-1: I know it's a legal attorney. I might be interested in corporate. Okay, well, let's start there. And you go from there. speaker-0: Yeah, so the onus and kind of the opportunity will be what you ⁓ kind of create a bit, Louis. so Miguel, did you have somebody to look up to going into your undergraduate education as well? speaker-1: Yeah, so I think I had a mixture of both like public figures that I really looked up to and just kind of like some personal role models. So for me, for example, being Puerto Rican, being Latino, I think it was really, ⁓ I the day that Sonia Sotomayor got confirmed to the Supreme Court. And I know that sounds ⁓ very, I know, like ⁓ very average, but. For me, just seeing a Puerto Rican in that position, being confirmed, I remember being in eighth and ninth, or between eighth and ninth grade, and just being like, wow, that's amazing. If another Puerto Rican was able to do that, then the world, you know, I can also achieve great things. So I think having a public figure like that really was super inspiring. And for me, I had professors. I had professors in my undergraduate experience. speaker-3: that I had done. speaker-1: on so many different things and that were also very inspiring and that helped me also think differently as well. One of my biggest mentors, ⁓ Dr. Ana Eire, she was Spanish professor at ⁓ the university attended, but she also a lot of experience in banking and other businesses as well. So that really helped shape my worldview and it was interesting how she got into her everyday work. speaker-3: of life. included that. speaker-0: All right, Chris, we're coming over to you, Miguel, just so you know, Chris is interested. He's a big sports guy, but also interested in cybersecurity. So Chris, you can speak to that a little bit more. speaker-5: Yeah, I'm definitely in a different direction. But I am a senior and I am graduating this year. I plan on going to East Charlesburg University for computer science to specifically go for computer, cyber security for my bachelor's. And then I plan on hopefully, you know, getting a job with the CIA or FBI. But I am looking for like internships ⁓ computer science. to learn to be the best science person that I can be. speaker-0: All right, Miguel, what do you have for him? He's got big goals. We need to make sure he accomplishes all of them. speaker-1: So I would say, first of all, Chris, congratulations on almost like now graduating high school. That's awesome. And that's a really important achievement I hope that none of us ever take for granted. And so I think you're on the right track. The first thing is that you have a plan. You want to be in the computer science field. You want to be the best professional that you can. So I would say with such a plan and scope your future, Don't be afraid to start reaching out and participating in that type of thing the type of activities that are related to that as well. So as soon as you hit the campus, find organizations, clubs, or events that are related to that field. Start getting to know the people that maybe in community, your state, or even nationwide ⁓ do the work you're interested in as well to build a LinkedIn profile, start connecting with people. speaker-3: to know. speaker-1: can be passive, right? You don't have to have conversations at this point, but just start getting to know them and that. And you'll be in the so you'll do a lot of reading, but don't be afraid to stay in touch with like the different articles and ⁓ public information that's circulating in your field of interest. Because one thing is to study the academic profession academically, and the other thing is maybe the reality that's happening outside of the classroom. ⁓ Tuned with that information is going to be speaker-3: And so staying in. speaker-1: key and going to prepare you for that. like you said, start thinking about that you want to pursue. think looking thinking back of when I was an advisor, one of the one of the strategies that I would use with my students would be like from their first year, think the companies and the organizations you would like to work for. So in your case, you want to be in computer science. So maybe think about where you would want to practice speaker-3: relationships. strategy. science. speaker-1: like that profession, computer science or cybersecurity. You're interested in sports. So maybe it's also doing that work aligned with sports. So look at internships with ⁓ whatever association that you're mostly interested in. Cause there be, there might surprise you that those organizations and companies also have that type of opportunity. So it's a cool way for you to interest intersect your, your interest. And so I think it, it would open the doors for you. speaker-3: then. speaker-1: in a way that you maybe haven't envisioned at this point. so I think it's super important to do that and just start getting connected and getting to know ⁓ field that you're about to enter. speaker-0: Yeah, the cybersecurity really could be industry agnostic, like Miguel brought that up. ⁓ you, Chris, you know, he's had quite a bit of experience in the federal government as well as first year academic advising. okay. What did you pick up from Miguel today? speaker-5: I picked up to always thrive to help others. yourself in a situation like that and you would really want help. Always just be willing to help others and always just strive, thrive for what you want in your future. So I just help others ⁓ you'll be gifted. speaker-0: Yeah, keep pushing to the top, but bring in everybody around you with you. So, love that. what did you pick up today? speaker-5: I was actually going to say something similar to that with help others and then you'll achieve success. speaker-0: right. Miguel, I'll give you ⁓ moment to share any final words of wisdoms for juniors and seniors from Community Academy at Philadelphia. speaker-1: I would say I have two final things that I always share with students that are in your stage. I would say, number one, make sure you dream boldly. I know we hear that over again and it can turn into a bit of a cliche sometimes when we hear it, but it's important to dream and to imagine life and the work that you want to do for the future and the legacy, the impact that you want to have for the world and for two others. speaker-3: room. ⁓ in the life. speaker-1: And secondly, if you take nothing else from all this entire conversation that we had, I would say, do not be afraid. So ⁓ back at my journey, I think, right, like I ended up doing pretty well, ⁓ but look back and there are so many other opportunities, so many different types of things that required risk that I didn't do because of fear. I was afraid failing. I was afraid of the challenge being too large, me not measuring up. so, speaker-3: This is speaker-1: Looking back, I think I would tell myself, don't be afraid, do it with fear, go and pursue that interest, apply to that internship, and you would be surprised at how you will do and how much you will exceed. So I think fear will paralyze you and stop you from ⁓ doing great things speaker-3: some time. speaker-1: So you can't listen to that. have to listen to, you can't listen to sometimes the fear that you have. have to listen to the courage and the motivation that you have to pursue the dreams that you envision for yourself. speaker-0: Incredible. Do it scared. All right. Thank you so much, Miguel Ortiz from Concentrico LLC right out of Puerto Rico. We're honored to have you on. Louis and think Ilyne has one question, but we really do appreciate you, Miguel. speaker-1: you guys for the opportunity. speaker-6: Yeah, Miguel, just hang on for a moment while we wrap up here Lewis and Chris. You guys have been participating with us for the whole school year. You know, it's it's always fun for me to be able to connect you guys with guests that, as I say, just make sense of all throughout the school year. Lewis. What? What did you pick up from all of the different conversations and the different interviews that you've had throughout ⁓ throughout the school And I just looked at the roster and Lewis, think you've made it to all of the sessions for CAP. So well done. speaker-5: It's not necessarily something that I picked up specifically, but it's more so the skill of talking to adults. I was thinking back specifically like two weeks ago, we had career day and I was in charge of ⁓ was in charge of helping one of the people like around with classes and when we were talking to each other, I just felt so much lighter than what it would have felt before this program. So I'm really grateful for that. speaker-6: That's amazing, Louis. So you felt even more confident just by practicing, by meeting other professionals. Wonderful, Louis. And I know you still have one more year in high school. We hope to see you back next year so you can keep practicing those skills and continuing to grow your network. As Miguel said, networking doesn't start after your undergrad. It starts now, right? Like you guys are ahead of those that are gonna be starting college. So speaking of that, Chris, sounds like you made a decision. where you're to be going for school. Congratulations. And same question to you, Chris. ⁓ How you think this program or having these kinds of interviews has helped you prepare for your first year in college? speaker-5: So like these interviews and everyone I've spoken to throughout this course, throughout the year, I definitely got better being confident talking to people that's older than me, being able to talk to people as confident as I can and more comfortable to make the conversation easier between each other. Not only so that it's easy for me, but it's easy for the other person to speak to me as well. And Miguel made that very, very good. speaker-6: Awesome, Chris. Well, I did definitely check out the CAP website and I know you're one of the photos there featured with your sports and your athletic abilities, but we do know that you're also really great at communicating and best of luck to you when you start your college journey. Mr. Knower, over to you. How have these interviews helped your students at CAP throughout the school year? speaker-3: Sorry just finding my microphone there I think overall the students have taken away like a new sense of who they are and where they might fit into the community going forward and certainly the level of mentorship it's been a real positive for them. speaker-0: Excellent. speaker-6: Well, we have enjoyed thoroughly having CAP as one of our schools with our program and appreciate you guys. know this is the time of school year when things start to wrap up and get exciting. And Chris, we are so proud of you. And as you wrap up your senior year, ⁓ your education career is coming to an end and you are just going to get started in your undergrad. Thank you again, Miguel, for joining us. ⁓ You've been listening to Access Co-Leaders, ⁓ Career Conversations. We'll see you next