Chatting 101: Intern Lunch with CEO Michael Elliot

This morning, all of the ONE Campaign interns were invited to an intern lunch with the CEO, Michael Elliot. The lunch was insightful and Mr. Elliot discussed some of the things college professors may not hone in on when talking about success in your career. Elliot's mentions three important things that seem to be overlooked, but they make a big difference in your career choices. He said, sweat the small stuff, luck is important and remember to pay the rent/mortgage.

Sweating the small stuff is understanding the little things that will be important to you in the workplace. The small things include the size of your workplace(large or small company), the timing of your commute, work attire and what you want your office to look like. These so called "small things" could make or break a job choice. It's almost the same things you think about when choosing a college. It's similar to wanting a small classroom setting, choosing live close to campus and wanting to be at a campus, which has activities nearby. It's the exact things that make you choose one college over the other. These small things that people overlook can be the reason they may loathe their job or they feel as though they don't fit it.

Secondly, luck also known as coincidence. My supervisor discussed this with me yesterday. How it was luck when I asked about her job. Sometimes you meet the right person and they can open your eyes to a world wind of opportunities. My proffesor told me you have to be ready when you see an opportunity. Mr. Elliot added, that not only luck would get you to your next opportunity, but also being prepared. This personally resonated with me because there are plenty of times there's an opportunity being offered, but the timing of not having your life in order can stifle it. You can be so close, but you're missing other experiences that will make you the perfect fit for a job. Be prepared for the next opportunities you want and own your opportunities and be exceptional in the job you currently have. That's when luck happens, when you're ready to receive your next task in life because you are prepared to tackle it based on your past experiences.

Lastly, pay your rent/mortgage. This one is in my opinion most important because you always need to have your priorities in order. You can not fall behind in this area because it may put a hold or a burden on other tasks. But I also believe you shouldn't let the lack of money influence your dreams so much until they never become a reality.

Love 
The "Learning After College" Phoenix

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Monday Morning: First Day

Hello Everyone,


Tomorrow will be my first day as the communications intern for The ONE Campaign. I'm excited and ready to learn more about the company and help them grow. Wish me good luck! Also, I will try to blog once a week about my experiences and adventures in D.C.

Love,
The "Intern" Phoenix

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Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, Korean War Memorial

African Museum

Today I went to the African Museum

 














Love,
      The "Museum Lover" Phoenix

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Food Allergies and DC Living

It's my last week on DC; I leave on Friday to head back to Orlando, Fl. I find it interesting the level of food allergy awareness in this city, it's intriguing. I have noticed organic dry cleaners everywhere and gluten free seems to pop up on every food menu. 

While dinning at a Cuban restaurant the waiter ask does anyone have food allergies. I am always hesitate when eating at restaurant because the choices tend to dwindle when you're basically allergic to everything and your allergy test is five pages long including trees on the list. I end up eating salads and I watch others eat flavorful meals with sauces. 

It seems as though the food industry is changing and allergies are becoming an epidemic in a lot of children. One in 13 children have a food allergy and the numbers are rising according to an NPR's Buffalo Station. There are numerous vegan restaurants and I found an organic chinese food place near Woodley Park Metro. 

There is hope for people with severe food allergies and that we can eat like everyone else and order foods that are tasteful with desserts that taste yummy without wheat. A vegan/vegetarian place in Columbia Heights has delicious cupcakes that didn't make me breakout in and turn my stomach in knots with harsh pain. I've blogged about this place before, Sticky Fingers bakery. 

If you're planning a trip to DC and you're worried about food allergies or seasonal allergies. Yes, I have those too. It will not be a hassle. As, I said I have seasonal allergies with a list of trees I'm allerguc to and grass. I had one day when my nose was running and itchy and it wasn't as bad as watery eyes when I was younger. One day out of two months I was here, I'll call it success.

If you have questions about eczema or food allergies do not hesitate on contacting me. I'm twenty-two years old and I've manever some lifestyles changes that will help.

Love,

 The "Allergic"Phoenix                                

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DC Summer: We're Going To The Zoo

It's been awhile since I've went to the zoo. It's been years to be exact and the only time I remember was in elementary. A starfish was the only animal I remember touching. It's was pink, rough, sticky like suction cups but beautiful. So I woke up this morning and said it's free so why not and besides this was apart of my exploration phase of the summer.

DC's Redline takes you directly to the Woodley Park Zoo in Washington, DC. It's about a ten minute walk from Woodley Park Metro Stop and it's acoss from 7-eleven  store. I advise you to buy water and snacks from 7-eleven because the zoo is expensive.

If you are parents you will drop a pretty penny for ice cream, hamburgers or wraps for you dehydrated and hungry child. I broke down and bought an icea cream for $4.25 and that was painful as I swiped my card. The zoo is fairly large and it's free admission but if you would like to purchase a map then it's $2.00. Not bad for that price especially if you don't want to wonder and you know what animals you want to see.

After I purchased the map I wondered why I paid for it because there are sign everywhere pointing in various directions to see specific animals. But I'll look at the purchase as a souvenir even though I only look at the map when it was time to leave. I could't remember which way I came, maybe it was the dehydration. Overall I had fun looking at the animals.

Tips
1. Bring food/coolers into the zoo to save money
2. Buy a map just in case.
3. Wear walking shoes
4. Go to the zoo when it's not as hot in humid. Animals are sleep on hot and humid days.

Pictures

Love,

 The "Zooleger"Phoenix                                

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DC Summer: The Capitol

The Capitol is the heart of Washington, DC because everything else surrounds it. No matter where I go I can still see the capitol and I wondered what what was inside. I finally booked a tour but on the hottest day in DC. It was 95 degrees! This was a day I should have stayed inside but no I went to the Capitol. I got off the Metro too early and I had to walk a few blocks; it was torture but I survived and I learned about the building's history. I bought souvenirs from the store too. I have a book that describes the rooms, a small notepad with the picture of the Capitol on the cover and the emancipation proclamation. I wanted to purchase the ink pens but I didn't have enough money.

Tips
1. This is a government building and it's basically like being in an airport. No food or drinks. They have a cafeteria so if you're hungry grab some food.
2. Arrive early.
3. You can set up a tour online through your state representative or a standard Capitol tour. I suggest you do both.

Pictures

This is the welcoming cente

The ceiling of the Rotunda room

The statue of King Kamehameha, Hawaii's first king 

The Statue of Freedom on the top of the Capitol

The Capitol facing the water

The Capitol by the visiting center

Love,

 The "DC Tourer" Phoenix                                

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Summer DC Intern: Weekend Meetup.com, Writing and Dancing

So my mom has told me about Meet up in the past and I went on there but it looked awkward. It felt like Facebook yet creepier. Based on my assumptions I never went on the site again until this morning. I wanted to meet like minded people and hang some friends hang out with in DC. I found a writers group because I'm a poet at Florida A&M University. Voices Poetry Group to be exact. I made it there but I was late and they still welcomed me so I didn't feel as awkward. This social networking world it's so strange yet exciting and slightly creepy. But the writer's group was cool I did some exercises that made my writing look foreign to myself. There were a lot of experienced writers, very seasoned. 

CentroNia community center 

Art project by the kids located outside the elevator

After I left the writers workshop at CentroNia and headed to the Kizomba Meet Up at Bloombar's in Columbia Heights. It's really small place which makes meeting people intimate because everyone is on top of each other. 

Vimeo: Picture of Bloombar 

Group picture with dance instructor Adoree from Canada and Zindze from DC.

Kizomba is a dance from Angola, Africa. It reminds me of salsa and merengue but it's more sensual. 

I'm really glad I went and after I went to a Mexican restaurant called Alero Mexican Restaurant on 14th street near the Columbia Heights Metro Station. They have good plantains and the chips will fill you up. 

washingtoneats.com, outside of Alero 

flickerriver.com, inside Alero 

The lighting is dim and it reminds me of a hookah bar. Waiters are very attentive and food is a reasonable price.   

  Love 
The "DC Traveling" Phoenix

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Interning in DC: Day 2

At 2:27 you can see me in the corner taking notes on the hearing! 

This morning I took a different exit and it was much closer so I might take that exit from now on but it was not the exit I was looking for. It great discovering things on your own by yourself and being independent. I love that in DC I have to rely on my instincts and I feel as though I'll become a better person. 

Rayburn Office Building, Vistingdc.com

I arrived to office around 9am because there was a 10am hearing at the Rayburn House Office Building in Capitol Hill. Hearings in the Capitol happen from Tuesday to Thursday and I was attending my first one. The Rayburn Building has beautiful archieture like all buiidings in DC. I left the office with Charlotte Tucker at 9:15 and it took about 15 minutes or less to get there from 800 I street. It only cost $7.00 which I felt was reasonable. 

When we arrived at the entrance it resemble the airport with metal detectors. You are not allowed to bring water or food into the building. As we walked in everyone was dressed in business attire. I felt important as we walked the halls; I felt like I fit in. Most importantly I was not intimitated and I felt like I was in a familiar place. As we entered room 2175 I was in awe again at the architecture, the high ceilings and bright lights. Charlotte said it was made for tv(the lighting). 

In hearings I enjoy listening to the way people speak to each other. It's boarderline rude and sarcastic yet it's still professonial. They blend it so well that you can't call them on it, what could you possible say about their tone. Nothing really. I would like to learn how to speak like that; it's so intriguing. They argue so professionally.

During lunchtime I met some people in the finance department who gave me good career advice. They told me I was young; too young to wait year until I get my masters. I unsure whether or not I should get my masters and if I should wait a year after I obtain my bachelors degree. They were wise, genuine and persuasive. I could tell they loved influencing young people and they were glad to see a young African-American woman.

I decided my lunch hour became words of wisdom and that I needed to take in as much as my brain could hold. They gave me rules to follow as an intern:

1. Even though you're an intern, do not let anyone use you as a door mat.
2. Ask a lot of questions
3. Express how you feel.
4. Make sure your daily task match your career.

I'm really glad I decided to apply and I continued to dream. At this moment I knew I was suppose to in DC at this time. I was present, in that moment.


Love, 
The "I'm Learning The Ropes" Phoenix

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DC Journalist

As I packed up everything to go back home before I leave for my internship in DC, I felt fear. I will be interning in DC for two months at the American Public Health Association as a communications intern. This internship is great for me because I'm interested in health. Health has become something very vital to me because of my background. I was born premature and I have food allergies, eczema and seasonal allergies. Staying heathy is something I deal with daily. So, to incorporate health issues with my career is really a dream come true.

 I'm fearful because I've only been to DC once yet I'm excited to explore my career and test my limits as a journalist. This is a big step for me because this will be a life changing experience. I don't know what to expect. I haven't been this anxious in a while. It feels weird when I tell people where I'm interning because I can't believe it myself. I am really grateful for this opportunity for immense growth. May I achieve a stronger work ethic, curiosity, connections, life lessons. May I become a better journalist. I will post a weekly update every Friday. Wish me luck!

Love,

       The "Adventurous" Phoenix

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