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Executive Assistant, Internship Junior Coordinator and Video Production Team Manager
Lowell High School
Class of 2024
I would probably panic and think I was cursed by some ghost (I honestly watch too many horror movies). Then I would just wonder why this was happening to me and panic some more.
This question of "motivation" is dependent on a lot of factors. Is it "What motivates me to do stuff I don't like?" or "What just motivates me to do stuff I want to do?" Well, in terms of doing assignments that I don't enjoy, perhaps the motivation revolves around failures or how I would look in the public eye. But for things like editing or my HIM work, it's simply because I can't stop. I enjoy management as well as making things. I think there's a fine line between doing something engagingly and doing something because you’re forced to. Nonetheless, both require a lot of motivation and it takes a lot of practice in order to channel it effectively.
Building Character is so important for building a person as a whole. The activities that one participates in, directly affect how they build their character. This can, therefore, change the course of their life. HIM has been a very important factor in my character growth. It has opened me up to being a leader and communicating with others, two of the most important skills someone can learn to do well. So yes, character building is important because it can change your life. But it is all dependent on what experiences you open yourself up to.
I am currently an Internship Junior Coordinator, an Executive Assistant, and the Video Production Team Manager at Heart in Motion. Since I am a Coordinator in the Internship department, I had the option of three different roles: Teacher (teach lessons to interns), Mentor (mentor individual interns), and Trainer (training new junior coordinators on how to do the 3 roles). I ended up choosing the role of teacher because I love teaching, giving presentations, and just helping people learn about Heart In Motion in general. The position of EA does seem quite "exclusive", but I actually got this role by simply asking if I could do more work. If HIM sees that you're excited and dedicated to the organization, they will reward that behavior with leadership/management positions. As an EA, I help out each of the four departments: Internship, Membership, Outreach, Events. It definitely seems quite intimidating at first, however, it gives so many new leadership experiences and responsibilities! Last but not least, being the VP Team Manager has truly been an amazing experience. One thing I love about HIM is how it gives so much room for growth and creativity. Before HIM, editing and making videos has always been something that I loved to do for fun. I never thought it could be used for anything useful. However, after making a training video for HIM and getting great feedback from it, I felt so motivated to make videos for something useful. Then, I had the thought of making a team where people could work together and make these videos. At first I was overwhelmed because over 60 people applied at the start, and I learned how to manage, but also how to ask for help. After creating this team, I've been getting to know my fellow VP team leaders: Catherine Hou, Daena Lim, Ivy Tan, and Jessie Chen. What's great about this team is how it links people from different departments, so everyone is working together. In general, it's been great to teach, help out when needed, and work with people to make amazing videos as a result of HIM's opportunities!
I want to be remembered as someone who went beyond expectations. Someone willing to go the extra mile. Memory is a curious thing, it warps and changes based on a ton of different factors. I hope that I will withstand those and make a mark that's powerful and great enough to remain in at least someone's mind, as a caring leader, avid student, passionate violinist, and most importantly, a good person.
The most valuable lesson I have learned in my life comes from my old English teacher: Turn on your camera. It seems like a waste of such a deep question, however, during these times people need to hear it. Since most of a student's interaction is over zoom, this idea of not knowing who you're talking to other than a name and a choppy voice is absolutely frightening. We never wanted any of this to happen, but it did, and we need to adapt. Thinking about it now, it's just so absurd that people are embarrassed to show their faces. Something so integral to making us who we are. I suppose this was the case even before the pandemic and online school. But it is becoming much more apparent when our professional interactions are mostly between avatars. We need a connection, and it's just wrong to make that one kid feel uncomfortable if they have their camera on when it's such a simple and shameless thing. Now get out of your bed, go sit at a table, and turn your camera on!
My favorite TV show character is, without a doubt, Blair Cornelius Waldorf from Gossip Girl. She is an icon and will forever be my idol. There are so many things to say about her because everything she does is just so iconic. Whether it be her style, scheming, petty elegance, or complete raw character development that I can only strive to achieve. I remember in 8th grade, I would dress up as her on multiple occasions with a combination of peacoats and berets. I do not see Blair Waldorf as an immature kid who overreacts when she doesn’t get her way, I see her as a strong woman who stands up for herself and looks fabulous while doing so.
Okay so picture this: You’re starving (you may even be starving right now who knows). You smell some sweetly barbequed wafts of air coming from a plastic to-go bag as you carefully take out the contents. You first open a cardboard container with crispy beautiful waffle fries covered in a mouthwatering spice sauce that you can already detect. Then, you open up the next container. At this point your stomach is grumbling uncontrollably. You see perfectly crisp buns of spongy rice sandwiching sweet and glistening Korean barbeque covered in sweet salacious sauce. You think to yourself, “Am I in heaven?”. The answer is yes, yes you are.
It's a really cool experience to be in the HIM Leadership Crew. To be honest, during the internship I didn't really get to know most of my crew members. However, as an Officer, I've really been able to work more closely with them. And let's just say that the community is truly remarkable. As an Internship JC, EA, and VP Team Manager, I've been able to interact with so many different people, of varying ages, schools, backgrounds, etc. We do a lot of communications via Workchat, however, we also schedule frequent zooms and check ins that really create strong face to face bonds. Everyone is always making sure to act professional and considerate (just like a real workplace), but the sense of camaraderie peaks through at many times as well. Because in fact, we are more than just an organization. We are a group of kids who want to work together to create change in our communities and make lasting friendships in the process. That's what it's all about when running an organization, being able to make connections with people in order to get stuff done.
If HIM hadn't come along I'm not exactly sure what I would be doing right now. I originally joined because I got rejected from another Summer internship, but in many ways, I'm so glad that I was. Sure I haven't been able to volunteer for any charity runs yet due to Covid, however, the leadership program has been unlike any other, in that I can work together with others to complete projects and teach others about our organization in the Internship Department. Overall I’ve always enjoyed finding ways to be creative, lead my own projects, etc., and HIM has really given me a medium for that.
I too was apprehensive about joining HIM at the start. I didn't really understand the credibility/what HIM was. After a lot of deliberation, I ended up joining the Summer 2020 internship term and it was something that I definitely don't regret doing. If you're worried about the time commitment, it really isn't that bad. Honestly, it's just as much as you want to commit. If you are drowning in extracurriculars but you still want to be part of leadership, that's ok! Go to the necessary training sessions, have Workchat notifications on just in case someone needs to reach you (the messaging app we use to communicate), and complete whatever mandatory tasks you have (should not be more than an 1 hour a week, but depends on position). If you have a lot of extra time and really want to commit/go up the rankings, you can also put more thought and effort into your tasks, ask PMs about extra work you can do, and end up reaching titles such as Executive Assistant, Program Manager, or even Assistant/Associate director! If we see that you're putting in the work, you will reap the benefits. If you're confused as to what types of tasks we do, they range from training and mentoring in the Internship Department, to making posts in the Outreach department, to updating members in the Membership department, to planning/organizing events in the Events department! Overall, there's no harm in joining leadership, so sign up today and become a leader!