Thank you

For your final assignment, write a thank you letter to your supervisor and/ or organization as a whole. Feel free to send a copy of your post to them as well.

Rick,

It is my pleasure to work for you and your company.  I have learned so much from your many years of experience and I appreciate your patience and your pushing when I have asked for help.  I am filled with questions and you are always very willing to answer them all, big or small. 

I also appreciate your generosity and understanding when it comes to me needing time away from meetings because of my rigorous school schedule or if I need to be with my kids.  This job came at a time when I was in greatest need.  You took a chance on me and have been so supportive along the way.

Thank you for an amazing internship and I look forward to working with you for the years to come. 

Warmest regards,

Candace

Follow Up to First Blog Post

What were the most important things you learned from this internship? Look back to your first blog post. Did you meet your initial goals? Why or why not?

I feel like the most important thing I have learned from this internship is that what you expect will happen, can change in a heartbeat.  With that, patience is essential.  Many of my projects were placed on hold.  I expected to have people work under my direction. 

With the changes that happened, I feel I have been able to hone in on my job and become better.  I have been asked to attend meetings that are typically “for Verizon’s eyes only” and am a contributing member of the group.  It has been rewarding and I am growing confidence in my abilities more everyday.

My goals I stated in my first blog are these:

1. To effectively provide great service and commitment to Verizon by ensuring I follow through with all tasks and expectations in a timely manner.  Hopefully, within 24 hours.

2. I am hoping to grasp the handling of the lease documents and making sure the passing the documents required to close out the project is complete with little to no errors.

3. I am expected to gain about 100 more projects by the end of the year, as well as bring on 3 people that will work for me.  I want to provide the training tools that I did not receive so they can feel 100% comfortable working in the crazy environment that we have here at Shaw.  

Did I reach my goals??  Well, I have met and exceeded my goals in both 1 and 2. With 3, I had my 100 projects for a hot second, and they were pulled back because of budget restrictions.  I have been able to create training tools that help my client as well as the future of employees of Shaw & Associates.  So, I would say I have met 95% of my goals. 

J

Career Services Write Up #2

I had the pleasure of attending the Idealist Fair in mid-October.  It was really great.  This fair had TOP schools from right here and all around the country that were pitching how great their graduate schools were. 

Some of the schools there were: Harvard, Yale, Columbia, University of Michigan and even ASU.  Basically, the programs offered were programs that have the public in mind.  Masters of Sustainability or Masters of Public Policies.  There was so much there, it was hard to decide where to go first!

I made my way around the room and it was a bit overwhelming.  I'm not one to talk about myself so I found it tough to mingle with the schools that I was interested in.  I talked with some schools and because of the cutoffs, I probably won't be able to do graduate school for another 2 years.  My schools of choice only have fall starts and the package needs to be submitted in early December.  It's ok though, I am really looking forward to having the time off and being with my family.

Overall, the fair got me thinking about some things that I have planned and I really hope that my hopes become reality some day.  If you have big ideas and need a little direction, check out the idealist website.  They have great tools for advancement and also events that are held around the country that are really interesting.  http://www.idealist.org  

:)

I'm Gonna Do It!

I don't care what anyone says, I am going to do what so many other bloggers are doing and am going to tell everyone who cares what I am thankful for. BORING, but hey, it's a free write and it's my blog.

So, this year has been really tough.  I am thankful for the opportunity to stand up in front of my family and telling everyone to get over themselves and we need to come together as a family unit and support one another.  I have a huge majority of my family back and I love all of them, even though many of them annoy me.

I'm thankful for my mom.  Cuz, she's amazing.

I'm thankful for my kids.  Because they give me SO much love, support and they drive me nuts.  I love my kids with all my heart and they love me with all their hearts. I'm so lucky to have these kids.  

I'm thankful for my hubs.  He makes me laugh and feel so important.  I've never felt so much love in my life.  He completes me.  No, seriously, he does.

Now for the good stuff.  I'm thankful for chocolate chip cookies and champagne.  Sleeping in to 7 am.  I love my TV and OrangeTheory Fitness.  I love my friends and my kick ass  car.  I love my Vera Wang heels and my Target Converse.  I love food, NYC and my hairdresser.  Traveling is also pretty cool too.  (Except for people next to me on the airplane who fight me for the "correct" amount of arm space.  Those people suck.)

And I'm thankful to live in a country where I have clean drinking water and the ability to speak freely.  Thank you to everyone who keeps me safe and my kids free from harm.  

Thanks to you all.  :)  Happy Thanksgiving.

Getting Closer!

It has been nothing but crazy in school lately and I cannot wait to cross the finish line!  It seems as if this time of the semester everyone is getting antsy for their papers and finals to be complete and then relax!  I know I am looking forward to it being over!

One thing that I was able to do today was a presentation (my one of two this semester) and work on my fear of public speaking.  It went as well as expected... I had flash cards with what information I needed to get across, but I most definitely sounded as if I was working off a script.  One thing my teacher mentioned to me that when I went off script, I sounded a lot more relaxed and comfortable.  I knew I needed the script to keep from saying, "UMMMMMMM" and have those dreaded long pauses.  

While it was super uncomfortable, I was happy to have done it.  It helps me grow each time and I was able to take some advice from my teacher that did help.  She told me to take my time and really think about talking slowly.  This way, you don't sound rushed and you can actually get your words out clearly.  Again, it did help, but I still freaked out!   :)

We are almost done guys!  Good luck with your presentations, projects and reports!

My Organization's Strengths & Weaknesses

What are the strengths of your organization? If you were in charge of a similar organization, are there any things you would do differently?

The organization I work with is considered one of the elite that do this type of work in the industry.  So, what makes me happy is that I am held to a higher level and looked up to from other consultants in the area.  It keeps me on the top of my game and pushes me to be the best and exceed what the client wants. 

While we are one of the best consultants in the area, behind the scenes can be a different story at times.  There are some managerial issues that could be tweaked.  For example, there is no formal handbook or training.  I had a difficult time adjusting when I first started because I had no idea what to do and made some mistakes, many embarrassing.  However, this has made me learn the job more intricately and now I am able to pass along my knowledge to people that are coming into the organization.  Also, there were no standardized forms that we used throughout the organization.  I was able to take the opportunity to standardize the forms for the company. 

All things considered, I really enjoy working for this company.  Being a consultant is very rewarding as I am able to use my own judgment on issues and to get things done for my client. 

TV Time

One thing that I absolutely love to do is watch TV.  It's something that my family and I did when I was little together.  I would watch football with my dad and soap operas and game shows with my mom.  My brother and I would always find a way to watch the latest movie together.  

When I have an hour or so to kill, TV is my go-to.  First off, I love love love reality TV.  Ever since the inception of when "reality TV" became a buzzword, I was hooked.  It is what killed the music video!  (And I loved me some music videos back in the day...)  I named my second child after I was enamored with this hot guy on Survivor.  No joke!  I loved his name so much that I named my kid after him.  And don't get me started on Bravo/TLC and A&E!  LOVE!

I also love documentaries.  Netflix is the best because there are countless documentaries at my disposal, which is the coolest thing ever.  The best one I have seen to date is Marley.  A great documentary on Bob Marley's short, yet amazing, life.  I also love any documentaries on space, the planet and animals.  Really any documentary rules.  Which ones would you suggest I watch?

Lastly, who doesn't love to watch sports on TV??  Football season rocks. Baseball is kinda boring but awesome when you have DVR. Basketball is amazing....but hockey!  That is where it's at!  Growing up in Cleveland, we did not have a hockey team.  Teams would come in and play at the coliseum every once in awhile and it was great to go to those games with my dad.  My husband lived in NYC for a brief period and we would go and see the Rangers play.  Combined with the most awesome fans in the world and the best colors ever, the Rangers are my fav! 

My Role in Public Service/Urban Governance

How does your organization demonstrate public service and/or urban governance?

In my search for how to answer this question, I found this quote:

“The progress of a country depends in no small measure on the quality of its governance. While a democratic government may lay the foundation for good governance, a vigilant and active citizenry is essential to its sustenance. Nowhere is this need more evident that in the management of public sectors services for which citizens depend largely on their government. The quality of governance is enhanced when government as a whole and public agencies in particular become open to new ideas and responsive to citizens. Responsiveness in turn is improved when citizens are well informed and collectively seek better performance from these agencies.” ~ Policy Affairs Centre

I never thought of what we do at Shaw & Associates as helping with the governance but when thinking about it, we do have an influence on contributing to the public good.  We work with telecommunication companies to bring stronger cell coverage to the areas.  This need is driven by how many are using data and voice over the system, in a particular area.  One thing that is of utmost importance of the cell tower is the lack of landlines and the increase of cell phones being the only phone in a household.  Without cell towers, many people would not have the power to help in their hands, pockets and purses.

Another thing we are doing is working with local jurisdictions that have their emergency services using the cell towers for their own communications.  Many cities police and fire departments are using Verizon, Sprint and AT&T and are relying on the system to be fast and reliable.

I guess I always realized that cell towers are serving quite a purpose, I just didn’t think it was in such a large scale. 

Staying Busy

There are some days that I am so busy, I don't know what to do with myself and other days that I am not busy that I don't know what to do with myself.  I have to say, I do enjoy the days most when I am busy.  I feel most at ease with my mind.  

I have always worked ever since I can remember and school has always been in the mix.  This year when I graduate, I fear I will go nuts!  I know that will free up time for me to catch up on the boxes piled up in my room and clean out the garage but I really enjoy the feeling of learning and being so busy with writing papers and reading textbooks. I do plan on going onto graduate school but I want to take the time off to make sure I pick the right program.  

In that time off I plan on taking guitar lessons, golf lessons and probably dance classes.  One thing I am happy about is going to be able to spend time with my kids and do stuff with them.  They are so understanding about my current condition (ever since they were born - and before - I have been going to school) and I am happy to give them some well-deserved time spent doing stuff they want to do.  

Only a handful of weeks until we are done with this semester!  Looking forward to it...kind of.

Going Home

This weekend I get to go home.  My hometown is Cleveland, Ohio and I am really looking forward to visiting family and seeing my husband.  We are planning to go to the Cleveland Browns vs. Oakland Raiders game at the stadium with my cousins.  I am so excited!  Nothing better than watching 2 crappy teams play football in awesome weather!  Tailgating, here I come! Go Browns!  

At one time though, going home was not something I would consider doing.  I stayed away for many years.  It was a toxic place for me to be.  While I grew up there, I never felt as if it was my "home."  I loved when I moved away for many reasons but now I am getting to a point in my life where I feel like Cleveland is my home again.  I wish I could turn back time and gone back to visit many other times over the years because I missed so much.  My family missed so much.  However, life is life, and that didn't happen.  

One thing I am really looking forward to is spending time with my mom.  Since my dad passed away, we have gotten really close.  Something I longed for so many years of my life...but we are close now.  I am going to take her shopping (something we literally have never done) and spend some much needed time together.  She is amazing and I look up to her.  She and my dad had quite a tough life but have overcome some great obstacles.  They are both deaf and my dad did everything for her.  While my mom is struggling with some things in life, she is moving forward in life without him.  He asked her not to cry.  She told me that my dad told her that on July 3.  He died the 20th of July.  She told me that she is doing her best not to cry and hugging his T-shirts when she gets really sad.  She is the strongest person I know....I'm happy to be going home this weekend.

While this posting may be random to most of you....I think I needed to get these thoughts out.  I am having a hard time with the passing of my dad and I guess this has helped.  If you have gotten this far...thanks for reading.  

:) Candace

Leadership in My Internship

How does leadership play a role in your internship?

Leadership does play a role in my internship.  While I do not have anyone that reports to me, I do drive my projects to places where I am expected to be the leader.  The public, the jurisdictions, my boss, as well as Verizon ask me as to what is happening at any given moment and I am expected to give them answers. 

Are you able to demonstrate any leadership skills?

I do.  I am able to give information in a way that is extremely processional, at times when it can be tough to do so. For example, I have a site that has some intricacies that are out of the ordinary and this particular job is top of the list in terms of priority.  I have asked my designer for changes about 2 months ago.  He has not yet finished these changes, even with some reminding from me periodically.  It is my job that this project get completed within a specific time frame so I have diplomatically spoke to, helped as well as gone out of my way to ensure the project gets done.  We are in the last leg of the project and the designer (who works for someone else) is always thanking me for being so professional and expecting nothing but the best from him. 

Along with being professional, I am organized and making sure that all my ducks are in a row is what makes me a great manager.  I am able to talk to people in a way that makes them feel comfortable and I do not ever want to come off in a condescending way.  That will not make anyone feel excited about his or her job.

How do your co-workers or supervisor display leadership capabilities?

My manager is very lax about direction.  He gives me a start and because he knows I can figure things out in ways that work best for me, he lets me go and figure out the best way to get things done.  He is very overwhelmed with work and at times, this way of managing can be frustrating but he is always available to take questions from me if I do not understand something.  And he has graciously accepted that I am a “question-asker” but hey, I want to know everything and anything that I have pop up in my brain. 

I find that the most important skill in managing is communication.  Without it, you are going to be lost and life is not fun.  I am grateful for the job I have and the open communication I have with my supervisor.  He can ask anything and I can ask him anything.  It makes for a great working relationship.

What is Precious to You?

Going to Vegas can mean losing money or waking up in a drunkeness stupor leaving yourself wondering, "what the *&^% happened last night?"  We've all been there...and I know I've had MANY great times and stories from those days!

But for me, this last trip I took meant great music and time with my husband. Since my husband does not live with me in Phoenix, time spent with him is precious.  We got to spend some much needed time together and see one of our favorite bands, Blink-182.  It was a great time.

For me, growing older has really changed my outlook on what is "precious." At one point, I felt that being strictly away from my parents and partying with my friends was the most precious thing I had.  Yeah, I must've felt that way for much of my younger years, from about 13-21.  After that, partying took over and getting the utmost amount of sleep was precious.  (ok, sleep is still precious.)

But now, I wish I had more time.  Time is precious.  My kids are getting older and my husband is far away.  My father passed away earlier this year.  All the years wasted on being away and not spending as much time as I should with him makes me reflect on how I want to live my future.  Being apart from my mom and family, my kids (they're a product of divorce, which he and I split the time), and my husband helped me to realize what is most precious in life....love.  

Hug your loved ones often.  

Have a nice day,
Candace

Interview with a Prior Supervisor

Ryan Mott, Manager at NASH Advisory Services, LLC was my manager for many years when I worked with/for him at Lennar Communities.  We developed land for residential use and he has a passion for Real Estate.  I aspire to have a position in the future that I can pursue my passion as well. 

I interviewed him last week.

What are your main job responsibilities? 

I am responsible for overseeing the real estate portfolio in the central and eastern US for my company, consisting of over 28 projects.  We are the majority equity partner in real estate development, with major concentrations in residential master planned communities and minor concentrations in mixed-use, multi-family low-rise and high-rise, condos, retail and commercial components.  Specifically, I ensure that the equity we provide receives the expected revenue from each project.  

How did you choose this career? 

A close friend brought me to work with him one day at his job in residential real estate development and I instantly became intrigued of all the moving parts and strategy that went in to building communities, with the end result of providing places for families to grow up and live.

What type of education or training is needed for this position? 

Generally, a bachelor's degree in real estate is required with 10-15+ years of experience in real estate development and homebuilding.  

What advice would you give to someone interested in this field? 

Get experience in every aspect of real estate development that you can.  Become really knowledgeable and proficient at a couple of the aspects, e.g. residential and commercial.  Gain as much experience as you can and make yourself as valuable as possible to an employer.  Learn from the ground up how the business works.

Do you notice any new trends in the field? 
Millennials and those 55+ are shaping how the residential and retail real estate industries plan and build new developments.  People are moving back into the downtown areas of major and minor cities, wanting the convenience of city services within walking distance while being close to work.  

It was a real pleasure speaking with him and I hope to have the same drive that he does.  He has achieved many goals in the past that seemed unobtainable and he strives to meet the goals he regularly sets for himself in the future.  

Stuff.

I don't know about you guys, but I am the busiest I have been in a long time.  

This time of the semester just seems to creep up...you know, when everything is due and you have papers upon papers to write....don't even get me started on the tests!  All at once!  

Then on top of it, even though I have had some of my jobs slowed to a halt, I have been working my butt off!  There just seems to be more work growing by the day and not enough hours to complete it.  

I love the madness of a crazy schedule, but sometimes it just can get crazy. In order to calm my brain, I work out and veg in front of the TV.  Two opposite spectrums, I know!  I work out at Orange Theory Fitness and I absolutely love it.  It has been the only "class" that I have been able to stay 100% committed to.  I have had real results and I couldn't be happier.  I've been with them for over a year now and this weekend they hosted a "dri tri."  It is a 2,000 meter row, 300 body weight movements and a 5k.  I took first place in the females!  I was completely ecstatic!  I did it last year and improved my time by almost 18 minutes.  Real results!

My favorite veg TV show are the Housewives.  I just love reality TV.  Those chicks are all crazy and I love it!  And Friends.  Classic show with funny one-liners.  I am actually going to NYC this weekend and "Central Perk" (the coffeehouse where they used to hang out) was recreated in one of the neighborhoods.  I am hoping to hit it up for a cup of coffee!  

Looking forward to chilling in cooler weather and away from the madness for a few days.  Hope everyone has a fantastic week and happy international coffee day!

Let's talk MUSIC

I am a huge fan of all types of music but my favorite bands are 311, Blink-182 and Metric. Their music makes me so happy.  

I am such a huge 311 fan that I have been to over 50 concerts!  They are hosting, yet another, cruise in February 2014 - it's going to Jamaica, the platform and inspiration for their Soundsystem album. (I just paid one of the payments for this cruise, hence the excitement for this trip that's happening in 5 months).  They are going to play this album in its entirety from front to back.  I love when they do that.  I have seen 4 other shows where they have done that type of line up, and they are so awesome to see live.  

They have done 3 other cruises, and they were so much fun!  You get some serious interaction with them and the MANY other bands that cruise with them.  And the fans are all (pretty much) so much fun to hang out with.  Everyone there is down to have fun and chill.  It's great.  

Here I am in Turks & Caicos - 2011

This was in 2012 at a private island in the Bahamas.
I'm in the lower left hand side - see me?  :)

We always have so much fun!  I also got engaged right before one of the cruises.  So, these cruises have special meaning to me.  

I would say, come along for the next cruise with me but this cruise sold out in 2 days!  So, I'll take pics for ya! 

What bands do you like??