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During the summer, I received an email for an internship opportunity through the Arizona Department Juvenile
Corrections and ASU. I responded to it, interviewed for a position, and got an internship with the Youth in Transition
Program. This is a mentoring program that matches female ASU students with girls at the Black Canyon School. I
became a mentor in the fall of 2007. We are responsible for creating a reentry plan for our mentees so that once they
are released back into the community, they are more successful. We provide them with the tools that they need to reach
their goals.
I was very intimidated by the girls when I first started. Once we started interacting more with the girls,
I found out that they were not intimidating at all. In fact, I have learned a lot from being a mentor. This experience
has been an eye opening experience. I have learned that these girls have gone through a lot and that they need guidance
and support if they are ever going to be successful in life. The Youth in Transition program has even made me look into
a new possible career path for myself. I would love to interact with these girls on a daily basis and make an impact
on their lives. I have learned new interpersonal skills, understanding, listening, and leadership skills being a mentor.
I have really enjoyed working as a mentor and this has truly been a life changing experience!
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