In 2012 I decided to do my internship at “The World Networks” during my senior year of college. It is an organization that focuses on social causes such as homeless children and woman in domestic violence. It was challenging for me because I was taking 19 upper-division units a semester and working full time. I had to reduce my employment to a part-time position to handle the unpaid internship. It was financially difficult to pay for my car payment let alone any other expenses. I frequently found myself doing all-nighters in order to study. Yet I knew that the internship provided me with invaluable experience. It was successful in that I was able to raise a significant amount of money and organize the events with little help. I was proud of myself for overcoming the fear of cold-calling potential donors as did this daily to find sponsors to donate money. The experience was so rewarding that I am still continuing to help this organization.
I was desperate to find a job once I graduated college. Environments Associates, Inc., a testing and engineering company, was the company that finally gave me a chance to prove myself. The manager liked me for being confident and taking the risk to just walk in and show myself. The Human Resources manager has been there for 30 years and she spent two months training me. She retired after I was there for only two months and I was her replacement. I also started doing accounting work and was the Controllers’ Assistant. The controller of the company was terminated after I was there for eight months. The CEO was determined to find a replacement and asked me for help to find someone with experience. I told him that I could do the job. Our controller had his MBA and 35 years of experience. I was given a chance and became the controller and also the Human Resources Manager at all three locations. I also hired two assistants.
I am a first generation American. My parents are from Armenia. Having parents who are not able to speak English well has been a struggle for me. They could not help me complete my homework, help me select a college, or give me advice on potential majors or careers. I am proud to say that I managed on my own.
The most difficult part of my job was analyzing the ten different bank accounts and determining through patterns which account covered which expenses. I used notes, emails, and other information that had been left behind to decipher this information. This strategy also enabled me to navigate the insurance policies and vendors that the company used.
I am proud of being the first college graduate in my family. I was forced as a child to be independent but it is the main reason I am the person I am and have had such success at this point in my life.
