Gracias!

Hey John Wayne,

I entered as an intern, but I feel more like a colleague. Thank you for taking the time to answer the mundane questions, and various points of inquiry. Thank you for introducing me to so many important people and making sure I had time to share my opinion. Also, thank you for allowing me to be me.

As this internship is on paper ending, I know that I have an open space at the City of Phoenix to help and volunteer my skills as needed. We did great work this legislative session and I know that our paths will continue to cross.

If I can end this note, I would like to thank you for being brutally honest, always. Many people sugar coat things and you just let it out. I appreciate that because criticism is one of the main tools to change in behavior and growth.

Warmly,

Jessica

Adieu

At 7:55 AM I walked into the Phoenix City Hall building. In my normal routine I approached the Starbucks counter, ordered a venti ice coffee and a grande Blonde Roast, for the boss. I traditionally buy John Wayne Gonzales a drink. Both avid coffee drinkers, there is nothing like sharing a cup o' joe in the morning. As the 51st legislation has come to an end, now it is time to assign all the new enacted pieces of legislation to the departments that they will affect. That is what I worked on.

Typing the names, I found it profound how much something that takes a single vote, can impact someone's job. I wondered how they felt when they received this announcement. How they reacted to the legislation, if they briefly grieved, swallowed their thoughts and then went back to work, or celebrated on a victory on something that can actually make some positive change.

I guess this is probably the most important thing I learned. Reading, digesting and meeting on the various bills that would affect the City of Phoenix, I grew an immense appreciation to pay a bit more attention to the legislative practice. It is important to weigh in on issues, and use my voice to document that voice. This documentation takes my personal vote, during election season, a step further in being a member of our society.

From the beginning of my internship, I wanted to learn more about this process and understand how to digest it. I did just that and more. The amount of exposure and connections I have made I can take with me for a lifetime. Now I can identify the leadership in the City of Phoenix and understand their work and importance in managing and overseeing the vitality of the city. Being in the building during the intense budget debate has been interesting. The city employees are dedicated and strong group. They are loyal to the ship and will sacrifice to keep it running strong. I am proud to experience and contributing to this work.

Meet Moe & Saw

 Moe, the black and white Boston Terrier, and Saw the brindle pup are my two little "terribles". Moe was rescued from the Human Society in Tacoma, WA and Saw was purchased here locally.

If you're familiar with the breed, my is a little bit bigger than the average Boston Terrier. I like to call him my "Little big boy". We named Moe after the Simpson's character 'Moe' the bartender. Not a tremendous Simpson's fan, but I felt it was befitting because of his gentleman stature.

Saw is terribly smart and inquisitive. He's constantly trying to be the dominant pup and outsmart you. He definitely has enough energy for the hole household. We named Saw after my partner's military rifle, the Squad Automatic Weapon, that he carried while he served in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

Despite their constant fighting, they do take time to be brotherly and kind to one another. Those are the hardest moments to capture, but when I do, it makes me smile.

When I'm having a bad day, or feel overwhelmed, I look at pictures of my dogs and it makes it all better. They are so much of unconditional happiness and love.

I hope these pictures help to brighten your day as they do mine!

Helpings Cafe Now Open!

 Last week I had the amazing opportunity to visit UMOM New Day Centers new social enterprise called Helpings Cafe. The cafe was built to support those who are served through the shelter and provide hands-on job-training to those who need additional work skills.

The environment is laid out in a wide welcoming hues that make you think of an old-time cafe with your "helping" of various muffins, sandwiches and salads. They even freshly serve Starbucks coffee!

A sign has been hung that helps customers identify where their funds are going to support the services provided by UMOM, and it even encouraged me to buy an muffin with my coffee!

I highly recommend anyone who is passionate about the nonprofit services provided in Phoenix to check it out!

Career Services

Working in the area of workforce development there are a variety of tips that I offer the jobseekers that come into my organization Dress for Success Phoenix.

Here is our LinkedIn tip of the week:

When you want to connect on LinkedIn with someone you just met in real life, or if you're brave to make that connection with out a formal meeting, my suggestion is:

1. Go to the person's profile and review it. What commonalities can you find with yourself, or what interesting fact might you reference?

2. Click "connect"
3. Indicate how you know the person. If in doubt, a good fall-back is the "We've done business together" button.
4. Erase the awful LinkedIn standard invite message and type your own. Always assume they don't remember you, at many networking functions, if done right, you may have exchange contact information with over 30 people, too many to remember. It is good to tell them where you met , or why you want to connect -- what value you hope to get, and what value you can add to them. You might reference something from their profile.

You won't get 100% follow-through, but you will greatly increase the likelihood of a positive response as you begin growing your network with people who can be important to your career development.


Now for a book reference that will change how you interact with others.

I recently purchased "Give and Take" by Adam Grant, the youngest tenure professor at the Wharton School, who highlights how being a giver may yield some unforeseen, never been accepted, results in career growth. In my second chapter and it has already solidified my standing on being a someone who can still do good and succeed. 

 

Strengths of the City of Phoenix

Ed Zuercher, City Manager of Phoenix

Ed Zuercher, newly appointed City of Manager at the City of Phoenix, has entered his new role with no little task ahead of him. The city's budget has been presented to the community, hearings being held throughout local communities in the various districts, and has been received with some strong emotions.

Above, Zuercher, is presenting to the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, during their policy committee hearing, in which they engaged the members to ask open questions about their concerns with the budget. With all 13 community centers, some senior centers and public pools proposed to be closed down, Mr. Zuercher is facing some heart wrenching testimony. This crowd had different concerns than the average constituent plea on the importance of community centers. Rather, the chamber members focused on the union negotiations, any cutbacks on key staff members that would help impact economic development in the areas in the Finance Department, and if any tremendous tax proposals would shape up in the next weeks of final budget negotiations.

When it comes to leadership, Ed Zuercher's ability to remain diligent in his message and service to Phoenix, allowed for the members to embrace the conversation and have real inputs that may help frame the fiscal vitality of the budget. In my role at the City of Phoenix I have learned that the leadership that is at the city of Phoenix is a true testimony of their strength. Although having to deal with such a massive issue, when stepping up to the plate, Ed Zuercher embodied this strength and showcased it at this meeting and continuously throughout the time I have spent in the City Manager's office.

Momma Motivates!

This is my mom, she had me when she was sixteen years old, and has worked every day of her life to be the best person for her children, and honestly most importantly for herself. I cannot imagine what she experienced, migrating from Puerto Rico to New Jersey, with a baby Jessica being high maintenance and whiny while she tries to understand how to be a teen mom. 

Now, she has raised three awesome kids, each of us pursuing our own passions, and reserved having children for a later time. I know she is proud of me, but honestly I am proud of her. 

She has now graduated from a Personal Training program and pursuing her own business, motivating women to be their best selves. 

Via Instagram, doesn't hurt to have a young mom, she inspires people through motivational posts on workouts and healthy living. Below is one of her posts on a healthy "Energy Ball" snack. 

1cup of raw oats . 2/3 coconut flakes . 1/2 wheat germ 1/2 PB . 1/2 choc chips . 1/2 teasp vanilla . 1/2 organic honey mix and cool in frig for 30mins then make balls

To be honest who wouldn't be proud of a mom who doesn't let society define her. She has everything from tattoos, owns a pit bull and still stays fabulous!

This post is to my momma, never would trade her in, and will always aspire to be as strong and awesome as she is. No college degree can account for that.