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2019 Bootcamp Experiences

Your Next Star Bootcamp Experiences

Experiences, updates, and highlights from our June 2019 pilot Bootcamp

Aidan Downey – Started working at Malden YMCA as part of a Summer food program that serves Malden, Medford, and Everett.

Sanaz Safarizadeh – Sanaz met with an Event Planning Training Credential Program at Quincy College for an Informational Interview about event planning. Sanaz was really excited about the opportunity and is exploring whether or not to take the class.

 

“The power of the Your Next Star Academy rested in the unique group of students that gathered for the weeklong Bootcamp. Each student arrived with their own employment experiences and aspirations, and this weeklong intensive provided them with the opportunity to hone in on their passions, to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and to explore the possibility of meaningful, gainful employment. Ashley was younger than most of the other participants, and I was encouraged to watch her begin to craft her own vision for future employment. I was equally encouraged to witness the other students guide her through the process – sharing their own experiences and inspiring her to think critically about her areas of interest. Now, during Ashley’s internship, I am confident in the foundation that was established at Bootcamp and eager to work alongside her as she continues to develop and fine-tune her vision for fulfilling employment in the future.”

– Kristen Tenglin, Membership Services Coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“On Friday, June 21, eleven Your Next Star Academy students visited me at my job in the State House. I met them at the side entrance and then we took the elevator up the 2nd floor and went to the Hall of Flags. The students sat down while I talked about Mass Bay and my job. I told them that my communications and acting courses at Mass Bay helped me become a better public speaker. I also told them that I had an internship at Mass Advocates for Children that took me up to the State House a few times, and that is when I realized I would like to work here. After Mass Bay, I was lucky enough to get a job at the State House. On Mondays I work for Gov. Baker, on Tuesdays I work for Rep. Khan and on Thursdays, I work for Speaker DeLeo, whose office I took the students to. I do office work, enter data, run errands and go to hearings, briefs, and meetings. If the disability bill comes up, sometimes I testify. I also told how I take public transportation to get to work. I love my job! I work with great people who do important work and we have become good friends. It was so nice to meet all of the young individuals from the Your Next Star Academy”

– Brian Heffernan Legislative Aid