EXP Insider Newsletter - August 2020
Forget about Excel and PowerPoint. Empathy and Gratitude are the critical workplace skills I’ve seen our interns build this summer.
I’m not talking about the thank you note sent to a supervisor or sponsor, although learning how to craft thoughtful and concise communication is a life-long career booster!
What I am thrilled to see is the mental shift from child to young adult that our young women and men made as they journeyed through our summer internship. Among the many character traits our students developed along the way, empathy and gratitude are the ones I am proudest to see. Not only are these qualities valuable in the workplace, they are essential for a successful society.
For our EXP Intern Class of 2020, the seeds of empathy were sown back in March, when COVID interrupted a year-long preparation process. I saw the stunned faces on the Zoom screen when we told students that we could not deliver on the promise of a six-week paid summer internship. But, shock gave way almost immediately to expressions of support for EXP and for each other. Being patient and flexible ultimately paid off for 94 of our students.
During their virtual internship, our interns received a crash course in humanity and vulnerability. As most of us in the workplace have found, the shared experience of the pandemic has dropped professional walls and opened windows into our personal lives. In their final project presentations and culmination testimonials, students continually showed their deep understanding of the efforts, compromises and even sacrifices that went into making their internship possible. Respect and validation flowed both ways between intern and supervisor – a wonderful way to start a career journey.
Our EXP interns are often noted as being grateful and gracious; a welcome counterbalance to the stereotype of the entitled teen usually portrayed in the media. They are always appreciative of the opportunity to experience, explore and expand career possibilities and their personal potentials. And, of course, they love a paycheck at the end.
But, this year, the gratitude feels deeper. More mature. They recognize the magnitude of the current moment. At 17 and 18 years of age, they now know that they can surmount seemingly impossible obstacles. They can contribute to a workplace. They can support the family economy. They can be leaders. As they now enter their senior year of high school, these young adults are ready to tackle any challenge. As one student put it, “This internship helped remind me of what I am capable of, and what I can accomplish in the future for my family and myself.”
Our interns’ gratitude is echoed by my own heartfelt appreciation to all of you who are members of our EXP family. Back in March, I had difficulty imagining being able to achieve the success that we saw in our recent Internship Culmination event. But, thanks to an EXP team who refused to accept defeat, employer partners who stretched to innovate, educators who encouraged us, and students who persevered and brought their best selves every day – we were able to make miracles happen.
With profound gratitude,
Amy Grat
Save the Date for GPS Your Future® Virtual Career Discovery Event on October 27
EXP's 2020 GPS Your Future® Virtual Career Discovery Event will take place online on Tuesday, October 27. It is an ideal opportunity to place your business in front of nearly 800 talented students from EXP-supported schools and career pathways! With our new online platform, students will still participate in a keynote speaker session, career expo, and breakout sessions where industry professionals share their career journeys and inspire the next generation workforce.
Exhibitor: Showcase your company and industry to nearly 800 Southern California high school students at the virtual career expo. Contact Caitlin Martin, Events Manager, at caitlin@expfuture.org.
Sponsor: Inspire young people to discover their dream career! For more information, please contact John Harris, Development Manager at john@expfuture.org or 562.253.1400, or Marilee Potthoff, Director of Development & Marketing at marilee@expfuture.org or 562.473.9074.
A Warm Welcome to New Board Member Amy Imamura
We are proud to welcome our newest member of the EXP Board of Directors, Amy Imamura. Amy is the interim community relations director for our long time partner Los Angeles World Airports.
Imamura was appointed Interim LAX Community Relations Director in January 2020. She is responsible for developing and implementing community relations programs to improve and enhance LAX’s relationship with its neighboring airport communities. She is currently serving a dual role in the External Affairs Group as the Senior Communications Manager for the Business, Jobs & Social Responsibility Division.
Imamura's public service career draws from over 20 years at agencies throughout the City of Los Angeles and was first introduced to civil service through the City’s Summer Youth Employment & Training Program. She has served as the LAX Guest Experience Manager, focusing on enhancing exceptional guest experiences at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Outside of her role at LAX, Amy has served as an adjunct professor at Loyola Marymount University for almost two decades within the College of Communication and Fine Arts.
Amy earned a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge and Bachelor of Arts degrees in both English and Communication Studies from Loyola Marymount University.
Thank You EXP Volunteers for Supporting LAUSD’s Summer Bridge Program!
With the help of 64 volunteers, EXP was able to provide guidance and helpful feedback to more than 560 LAUSD students on their Summer Bridge final projects, PSAs on "Stress on the Teenage Brain." Your time and talent really made a difference!
Remember to Vote for EXP with your Target Circle Community Points
From now through September 30, each time you shop at Target, cast your vote for EXP using your Target Circle points. Last winter, shoppers' votes earned EXP a Target Circle donation of more than $3,000!
On the Target app: in your account information, tap on "Circle" to see your points and to "Vote for nonprofits."
On the website, simply select "Community Support" to vote for EXP!
Mark Your Calendar for Long Beach Gives on September 24
We have been selected as one of the Long Beach Gives 2020 participants! We hope to raise $5,000 during this 24-hour campaign to fund college and career dreams of EXP students!
