How Genesys Works changed my life
By Michael N., Genesys Works alumnus
4 years ago, I was a junior in high school with a 2.5 GPA and no work experience at all. I was worried and disappointed because I knew I had much more potential just waiting to be used. However, I was lost. As time was winding down I felt like my window of opportunity was quickly closing shut. Flash forward 4 years later and I am now a junior at UC Berkeley studying Psychology. I have had multiple internships, one during my senior year of high school at a law firm, another during college at a consulting firm, and another for the non-profit organization that changed my life, Genesys Works.
At the end of my junior year I decided to apply for Genesys Works. It was more of a shot in the dark to see if this organization could be the opportunity that I was looking for to distinguish myself. It turns out that Genesys Works was more than I could have ever imagined. Right after being accepted into the program, I was immersed in a summer training by a passionate staff that has impacted my life in more ways than I can count.
I learned the nuances of becoming a professional. I learned how to speak in front of my peers confidently, how to walk into a room full of professionals and feel undaunted, and how to conduct myself in a way that would prepare me for a year long internship in my last year of high school. On top of that, I received crucial training in technology support that I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else. Perhaps the most important part of the 2 month training were the relationships I gained. I made lifelong friends through the program and to this day I constantly look to the Genesys Works staff as mentors that I can rely on.
By the time I began my last year of high school, I no longer felt like an average student. I felt a great deal of pride in the fact that I was working as intern at an amazing company while my peers were more concerned about just having fun. The opportunities that I gained from Genesys Works reached far beyond the internship. I received personalized support in applying for colleges, scholarships, and financial aid. I also gained very helpful advice from the staff who were always willing to share their experiences. I was also able to intern at other amazing companies through the Genesys Works program. After high school, I attended City College of San Francisco for 2 years. I continued to work throughout the entire time and was able transfer to UC Berkeley this year. The support I gained from Genesys Works and the experiences I had through my internships were major factors to me being accepted to UC Berkeley, a school I never thought was in reach. When I look back on where I was 4 years ago, I am extremely grateful that I took that chance and applied for Genesys Works. It has changed my life immensely and has helped me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.
Life as a high school junior is highly competitive. Students are expected to excel in academics, become involved in extracurricular activities, obtain work experience, all while planning for college applications. If you are a junior in high school reading this and looking for that opportunity that will change your life, Genesys Works is that opportunity.
Don’t wait, or you might just miss out on something life changing.
Current high school juniors can apply until Friday, February 24th at https://www.tfaforms.com/453331. Questions? Contact gwba@ba.genesysworks.org.
