As a child, I always had an interest in science. I remember watching Animal Planet every night. I remember receiving many science books and a microscope at the age of seven. Science made me happy, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with it. California Youth Energy Services has opened up a new world to me. This program has changed my career aspirations for the future. Working here allowed me to realize my career path. I now know I want to be a teacher.
Throughout my school career, I was an average student in most of my classes, but science is where I excelled. My science teachers were the most enjoyable people at my school. Their amazing and goofy personas while teaching their lesson has resonated with me. Although I have a passion for science I did not know what route to take. There are so many career options it can be overwhelming to choose one. It was spring of my sophomore year and my Tia (aunt) came home with a flyer. Across the top of the flyer read the name of a company, Rising Sun Energy Center. They were hiring. I was only 15 but when I read the job description I knew I had to apply for this job.
My first summer working at Rising Sun was amazing. My favorite part about this job was talking to the customers. I was able to showcase my outgoing personality. I enjoyed the company so much I came back for two more summers. Working as an Energy Specialist for three summers made me feel like a professional. This job made me excited every summer. It was amazing how much the program adapted and changed every year. The constant renovation to the program kept me engaged and coming back.
My third summer in the program happened to be the same year I graduated high school. When the program ended that summer I was going to head off to Solano Community College. I still had no idea what my major would be. All I knew about myself was that I loved talking, I enjoyed science, and I wanted a career where I can be myself. At the end of my third summer, I was still stuck. I decided to major in Chemistry that fall.
Spring of May 2017 I get a call from Wells Brown who was my Regional Manager at Rising Sun last summer. He asks if I would be interested in the LIFT position. A LIFT is a Leader In Field Training, a position that is a promotion from an Energy Specialist. Basically, a LIFT learns leadership skills to become a manager for next summer. LIFT are way more than just training to become a manager. The true job of a LIFT is becoming a master, a jack of all trades, if you will. LIFTs step up in every situation needed. They can be an Energy Specialist one day and lead Professional Development days the next. The idea of leading and developing workshops sparked my interest for this position. Professional Development workshops are every Friday. These workshops are created and taught by the LIFT. LIFTs teach the Energy Specialists great things. They teach them how to create a resume, how to act during an interview, and money management.
It is now my fourth summer with this program. I am currently a LIFT and I look forward to every Friday so I can teach the youth these amazing skills. The Professional Development workshops are my favorite aspect of this position. Being a part of the program for four summers helped me figure out what career I should pursue. I finally know I want to be a high school chemistry teacher.
CYES is a wonderful program that has enhanced my skills. It has even made me better at things I was not so good at before like public speaking. I am grateful that I came across this program four summers ago because this program is a big part of shaping who I am today. I am especially thankful that I was able to come back and be a LIFT, now I plan to still get my bachelor’s in Chemistry and then get my master’s in Education.
