T.I.P. MEETS
Community service
In seeking out those in need, students discover themselves
Darlene Marcano had an educational challenge for her ninth-grade Humanities students at The Engineering School, who visited places that help the homeless and hungry, like the Pine Street Inn and The Greater Boston Food Bank: “How does your view of others shape who you are?”
Here’s what some of them wrote about their experiences:
Every penny counts
My class went on a field trip to the Pine Street Inn, which is a shelter for the homeless. They had two different shelters, one for the women and one for the men. The men had no more than one foot of privacy; the colors were dark green and grey. The women’s shelter is much different: more privacy, and a whole lot more colorful. The walls were pink and the beds had donated covers.
The tour guide told us about how they helped the homeless with job training. Going to the Pine Street Inn made me think, “These people work day and night trying to help the homeless! Why can’t I help them?”
You should think the same thing. You can give money to homeless people you see on the streets. It can be one dollar, or even 50 cents. Every penny counts.
I know I should try to help people if I see them sleeping on the sidewalk with ugly, stinky, sticky clothes and nowhere to go. I would be appreciative if someone tried extra hard to get me off the streets without them knowing who I am.
Groceries and goodwill
The Greater Boston Food Bank distributes more than 31 million pounds of food and grocery products to nearly 600 hunger-relief agencies throughout Eastern Massachusetts. They are dedicated to ending hunger in our region.
When I look back on my time at The Greater Boston Food Bank, I think of what a marvelous learning experience I had. It made me think about the world, and how taking my time to volunteer could make so much of a difference. By working hard for a cause, our economy can be stabilized and our country can get back on track. This would mean that the food budget can decrease, and people can get jobs to support their families.
Previously, I had limited experience helping the homeless, but after seeing how many people worked hard for change, it persuaded me to do the same. It was touching to know that I made a difference.
Crying inside
We should have more solutions for the homeless. We should build more shelters, and put the mentally disabled, drugged, and drunk in rehabs. We should put the abandoned houses on the streets to good use, and refurbish them for homeless families. I say this because it’s painful and sad when you are homeless. I know how it feels, because I’ve been homeless, too.
In the beginning of my 9th grade, I was at the bus stop with my friends. My parents passed by in their minivan and told me to get in. As I opened the door, I noticed there were items from my house. I asked my parents, “Why are our belongings in the car?” They didn’t make a noise for about four minutes, until a sigh caught my attention; it was like being awake in the middle of the night. My heart started to beat as fast as a jackhammer. My mother finally told me. The landlady had kicked us out of our home, even though my parents paid the rent. We had to spend four nights at a hotel.
Hunger (n.) – a severe lack of food. Poverty (n.) – the state of being extremely poor. Homeless (adj.) – without a home, and therefore typically living on the street. When I hear those words, I’m most likely crying inside, because it brought fear to me when I realized I had nowhere to live.
painting by Nancy Nyamunda // Artists for Humanity
Artistic entrepreneurs
Behind the music: The life of a subway performer
By Gabriel Ward // Staff Writer
When walking onto the subway platform, what do you hear? Gates ringing, trains screeching by, or the many bustling people talking on their cell phones? Or do you hear the gentle sound of music coming from down the yellow line? If so, chances are that in that station is an artist, displaying his or her talents, and trying to be heard. Many teens hear subway performers daily, and see them the same way: that pleasant source of music, while you’re waiting for your train. But what do we know about them? Why do they do it? And where do they come from?
Timmi Gammon, 20, got his first MBTA musician’s pass in August of 2009. As this interview started, he began to play his guitar. “I love to make music, every second of my life,” said Gammon. “And I love to see different kinds of people, just doing their thing. It’s just really enjoyable.” He started playing guitar when he was 14. He was learning music theory in high school. “When I learned a music theory idea, I would go straight home and put it on guitar,” he said. His fascination with guitar just extended from there. “One of the things I started doing, is, I would turn on the radio, and I’ll just play along.” But guitar isn’t the only instrument he loves. At home he has a whole slew of stuff: from keyboards to a sax. “Music is music,” he said, “I don’t really break it down by genre.” Gammon spent a lot of time drifting between New York and Boston, and he settled in Brighton for a while. But now he’s joined a band in Alabama, and is doing what he loves best.
Anthony Mainville, 48, has been playing classical music in South Station for about a year and a half. He likes to entertain people, but the money doesn’t hurt either. “I don’t have any other sources of income right now,” said Mainville. “I have a kid. I have to pay child support.” A whole day of playing can bring in up to 30 to 40 dollars, and sometimes it’ll be just enough to give his son. Mainville used to be homeless and lived in a shelter, but one thing he always had with him was his guitar. Then he heard about the opportunity to gig in subway stations. “Playing on the MBTA gave me money for clothes, and even glasses,” he said. “I went without glasses for two years.” Mainville knows his guitar will always be with him. “Maybe some day I might go to Berklee [College] of Music,” he said. “Who knows, maybe I’ll be teaching it in the future. No matter what, I’ll be playing guitar for the rest of my life.”
Beth Fridinger was pretty hard to get a hold of; her schedule is very hectic. “This is not an easy thing to do for a living,” said Fridinger, who says she’s over 50. She loves to play folk and rock in the subway, but she can’t plan on where she’s going to end up. “I never know if I can play right away, or where I’m going to be,” she said. Originally, she had a job as a secretary, during which she took up photography. But then she lost her job. “I went to a party and picked up a guitar for the first time in a while,” she said. “People said they liked my voice when I sang.” So she grabbed her guitar and headed for the streets. Her first day was one of her most fortunate. “I went home with 200 dollars that night,” she said. She decided to start playing in MBTA stations. “In the subway,” she said, “weather is more predictable.” Fridinger records her own music and sells her CDs as she performs.
So, if you like classical, or you like rock, if you give them money, or not, at least you should appreciate that the subway performers are around, creating that soothing tone, which causes you to smile.
Timmi Gammon "It would be cool to be famous and rich, but that's not what I'm doing it for. I just wanna play."
photo courtesy of Timmi Gammon
Beth Fridinger "As far as I know, I just sound like me, ha ha."
photo courtesy of Beth Fridinger
The real world
On the job training • Tips from teens on how to find work
At Boston Community Leadership Academy, students taking 11th grade Writing with Gabrielle LaCombe Jean-Jacques went on a job-search journey. They shadowed workers, wrote résumés and cover letters, conducted interviews. Now they get to share the results of some of their employment expeditions with you.
Help wanted: an overview
The United States has been suffering a recession, causing much stress and fear among families. Citizens are losing their jobs as positions are rapidly being eliminated and companies are downsizing to merely stay afloat. Job-hunters need to be on their toes now more than ever. Those on the prowl should consider writing sophisticated résumés, ways to have a successful interview, and proper business etiquette.
A résumé is the first time an employer will see your name, and could very well be the last. Hundreds of résumés will cross his or her desk, and if it is not impressive at first glance, it will be passed by. Therefore, it is crucial to have a well-written résumé and to distribute it effectively. If you need help writing and properly formatting a proficient résumé, it may be beneficial to hire a professional. There are also a myriad of resources to help put your résumé out into the business world, such as various youth networking sites, newspapers, and youth programs. Though the résumé is a dire component in finding employment, it is only the first step.
If your résumé is worthy, you may be asked for an interview. A first impression is a lasting impression. An interviewee should always come prepared, 15 minutes early. Dressing appropriately (slacks, button-up shirt or blouse, closed-toed shoes, nothing outlandish -- navy, white, black, and khaki are relatively safe color schemes) with a confident disposition is imperative; do not seem too needy nor arrogant, always make eye contact, and be sure to smile. Having prepared questions and responses shows hard work and sincerity. It is also helpful to bring a pen and a pad for notes, questions, and reminders. Act calm, collected, and comfortable, but refrain from being too honest (do not divulge any of your faults, weaknesses, discrepancies, personal problems). Always be polite and conscientious, and never be the first to drop a number in a salary negotiation. Lastly, aim to convert the interview into an offer.
Although the interview is the biggest step in finding a job, the follow-up process can make it or break it. Remember to obtain a business card and always write a thank you letter. Diligence and persistence are traits of a good employee, so be aggressive without being a pest.
Competition is growing fierce. Even if your applications are repeatedly rejected, keep looking, for there is that special position destined for you, somewhere out there.
Do the research, kid
Getting a job means that you are prepared. Being prepared consists of doing things such as research. To make this happen, you must make sure that you know what you’re applying for. Doing the research means willing to learn the skills that a certain job requires. Don’t apply for something without doing the research, because let’s say you do really good on the application, but, when it comes time for the interview, you’ll be stuck because you aren’t sure what this job is about. If you go through the process of learning the job, it should eliminate applying to something that really doesn’t interest you.
Don’t be a Negative Nellie
Being positive shows that you are confident in tackling your job responsibilities. I used be one of many people who doubted themselves. I felt like I had low self-esteem, so I didn’t take advantage of any opportunities. I was shy and never thought positively about anything I wanted to achieve. My job-shadowing experience helped me get that positive attitude, and made me always believe in myself and go for what I want. Now that I have a positive attitude, I gained the confidence that has made me a better person.
Résumé building
Your résumé is the key to making the first good impression on your employer. It must consist of personal information — including your address, phone number — for your employer to get a hold of you easier. Your résumé also must include all your past work experiences. This means the first job you ever had, to the job you last had. The résumé is also a brag sheet about your accomplishments and goals. Therefore, it is very important also to include your awards and community roles. Remember, your résumé is the conversation piece and the ice breaker in an interview; it has to be perfectly written and checked over and over again for grammatical errors.
Character counts
Good character is professional character. In addition to expertise, education, and, of course, intelligence, employers will value the willingness of a hard-working employee who goes above and beyond simply completing assigned tasks. Strong character and integrity are crucial to your success. Examples of good character are honesty, respecting others, having a good sense of right and wrong, and acting appropriately in all situations. Employers want a worker they can trust and rely on. First impressions are extremely important. This usually happens during the job interview by acting polite, honest, and engaged in what they have to say.
No confidence game
Stomach tying, body shaking, your nerves are out of control. This is a normal experience to go through when you have to step foot into that job interview. It is normal, but it is not a good first impression to show how nervous you are. You would like the employer to see how bold you are. Being bold shows courageousness. You are not letting obstacles get in the way of what you want. If they see this attitude coming from you, it will highlight your strengths and they will take an interest in you. If you do not have that confidence within you, then you will not get the job.
Punctuality, please!
Never be late to your interview. It will make you look unprofessional and unreliable. Before going into your interview, you should find out where it will be held and MapQuest it, or actually go to the address beforehand. Being on time shows your desire for the job and proves you are responsible and reliable, which are the basic characteristics of professionalism. Plan to get to your interview 15 minutes before it starts, so that if you need to fill out any sheets, you can prepare. Getting even a minute late to the interview is not acceptable.
Be yourself
To be yourself doesn’t mean only to show your skills, but also to be comfortable. For example, you have to be able to network. You have to make relationships. You have to show them that you are a pleasant person with many values. The résumé can reflect who you really are. If everything that is written in the résumé is real, and not false, you will not be afraid, because they’ll know all your skills and everything that is important about you.
Grab that business card
After an interview, you want to ask for a business card. This will be helpful because, with the card, you now have a phone number and an email address. You can use this to communicate with the people who interviewed you. You can call and ask questions. This will make them think you really want the job. You also might want to write the people who interviewed you a thank you letter or email. You look more professional and your ambition is clear.
It’s who you know
I used to think that I could not get a job, but then I learned how to have a successful interview, and I got a job. I got the job because I knew people. I had to learn how to be more social. I became fully independent and could talk to people on my own. Now I know that it’s not always what you know; it’s who you know, as well. I got my jobs in the past because I knew someone. I got my part-time job because my mother did day care for a woman she knew for seven years who was the manager of a GameStop. I got the job because she knew I was a hard worker, and because I would help my mother out with the day care.
Job one: the patience of Job
Patience is the key to getting a job. To have patience and determination, you would have to be persistent in finding a job, and if you don’t, you keep pushing until you succeed. You also have to be patient while doing this, too, because if you don’t, everything will start to get hectic. For example, if you applied for a job and went through the interview, you have to wait for what will happen next – like getting a phone call or an email. Don’t be too pushy or a STALKER and call every time to see what your status is. This is not good. Call a week later from your interview.
