I go to school at Hartwick for nursing. I also work with Ithaca community members to organize annual fundraising events so we can continue supporting students and schools in Myanmar. I plan to do a research project on water in Myanmar during the summer 2017 so I can use my studies to promote clean water. As a YES teen, I worked at Trinity Lutheran, South Side, McGraw House, and Shortstop Deli. In 2009, I came to Ithaca as a refugee from Thailand through Refugee Resettlement Program. I did not speak English, and I was very nervous to work among American people. My biggest fear was people not understanding me and that I would not understand the people I worked with. I received four different jobs through YES during my high school years. Through these jobs, I gained language skills, communication skills and job skills. It increased my confidence. My YES Rep, Penny, visited me very often at my work place to make sure nobody mistreated me and to evaluate my work. She was always available to help when I needed her. The connection between me and Penny continues after high school and it remains the same. She is there when I need advice and support. She's even been involved with my projects in Myanmar, and has helped me to change the world into a better place for the vulnerable population in Myanmar. Penny and I work together to cover tuition for three students in middle school and fix tables and seats for their school in Myanmar. Did you get your #StartWithYES? Share your story here. I currently work for the Ithaca Youth Bureau as a full time Youth Program Leader for the College Discovery Program. My first job as a teen was working for Ben and Jerry’s through the Youth Employment Service. Starting with YES allowed me to get a job that I may not of gotten on my own. It allowed me to build some time management skills because I had to balance my job with the other parts of my life. I usually used the money for school clothes or helping my mom out as much as I could. Helping my family financially always made be feel good. Many of the skills I use for my job now, I began to work on while having the support of YES. It was always helpful to be able to ask my YES rep questions with out feeling dumb or worrying about getting in trouble. Later I actually worked as a YES rep, and this allowed me to give the same support to students that I had received as a teen worker. I owe a lot of my professionalism and people skills to the practice I had working with YES. Now I am able to take care of my own family, while doing something I love and helping others. Did you get your #StartWithYES? Share your story here. If you're a teen looking for a summer job, YES is here to help. Download the application, and call the YES office at 273-8364 to schedule an interview. Summer interviews begin March 27th. I currently work at a cafe where I prepare food, act as a barista, clean dishes, work the cash register, and more. When I was a YES teen, I was a camp counselor at SewGreen, and I also worked at Dolce Delight. Through my YES jobs I learned that helping other people is incredibly rewarding, regardless of whether I'm helping a child to learn a skill at camp or preparing meal for someone at a restaurant. My job makes me feel appreciated and necessary. If you got your #StartWithYES, we'd love to feature your story on our blog. Click here to share your story. |