This summer, Genesys Works hired three new Program Coordinators to help train more than 200 Young Professionals. Get to know the new Coordinators below.
ABBEY OTTESON
Prior to joining Genesys Works, Abbey worked as an Account Specialist at GradStaff, a local recruiting firm specializing in placing recent college graduates in entry-level positions. In this role, she was responsible for maintaining recruiting efforts, conducting interviews, placing candidates in positions, and managing client relationships. Prior to this experience, Abbey served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at College Possible where she was responsible for projects related to programming and expansion. Abbey graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned her degree in Political Science.
Q: Why did you join the Genesys Works team?
A: I joined the Genesys Works team because I see a huge need for a program like this. Genesys Works provides a really unique experience for high school students, exposing them to professionalism and providing them with a taste of the corporate world in a supportive environment. Since I have a background in recruiting, I am very aware of the need for qualified professionals interested in pursuing a career in IT. I also joined the Genesys Works team because I am extremely excited about working with such a motivated group of people!
Q: What has been the most enjoyable part of summer training so far?
A: The most enjoyable part of summer training for me has been getting to know all of our students and watching them develop over the course of training. The summer has been filled with mini “break-through” moments and it’s thrilling to see students apply what they have learned in training. I especially enjoy watching students become more comfortable speaking in front of large groups through their speeches and presentations.
A: My favorite lesson this summer was the “Impromptu Speaking” lesson. The students really had fun with this lesson and were able to step outside of their comfort zones in ways I wasn’t expecting. One of my favorite activities from this lesson required students to pull a random object from a bag and “sell” the object to our entire class. I was impressed by how creative and persuasive students could be while thinking on their feet.
Q: What’s your “go to” ice breaker? Why?
A: My go-to ice breaker is a game called “Cowboy-Ninja-Bear”. This game is essentially a more active version of Rock-Paper-Scissors. I like this game because it requires students to get up out of their chairs and let their competitive side shine. It’s also fun for me to be a spectator and watch students pose like cowboys, ninjas, and bears.
KATIE JUMBE
Katie joined the Genesys Works team in the summer of 2013 after five years at Carleton College, where she served first as an Assistant Dean of Admissions and later as an Associate Director in the Annual Fund. Prior to her time in higher education, she was a student teacher at Community High School in Ann Arbor, MI, a Peace Corps Volunteer working with low-income students in Belize City, Belize and an activity assistant at Normandale Hills Elementary in Bloomington, MN. She holds a B.A. with a major in English and minor in French from Carleton College (’04) and a M.A. with teaching certification in English and French from the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor (’08).
Q: Why did you join the Genesys Works team?
A: I wanted to return to working directly with students and I have a personal passion for issues of economic justice and the importance of financial autonomy in building stable communities.
Q: What has been the most enjoyable part of summer training so far?
A: Seeing all of the students in our class grow so rapidly in confidence as they become skilled at asking good questions, presenting in large groups and introducing themselves to others. Seeing them gel as a cohort has made me really proud and happy.
Q: What is your favorite lesson you’ve taught and why?
A: The exercise we did for our problem-solving lesson where they did a role play in which they tried to help a friend determine what was wrong with the baby he was babysitting. They had to ask thoughtful questions in order to determine what the problem was and then what solutions were available, and I think it helped them see the importance of listening when offering someone assitance - much like they would at an IT help desk. It was also the time that I felt like I was best able to bring my past skills together successfully with the existing GW curriculum that I am still learning.
Q: How have you seen students “break through” this summer?
A: I wanted to return to working directly with students and I have a personal passion for issues of economic justice and the importance of financial autonomy in building stable communities.
Q: What has been the most enjoyable part of summer training so far?
A: Seeing all of the students in our class grow so rapidly in confidence as they become skilled at asking good questions, presenting in large groups and introducing themselves to others. Seeing them gel as a cohort has made me really proud and happy.
Q: What is your favorite lesson you’ve taught and why?
A: The exercise we did for our problem-solving lesson where they did a role play in which they tried to help a friend determine what was wrong with the baby he was babysitting. They had to ask thoughtful questions in order to determine what the problem was and then what solutions were available, and I think it helped them see the importance of listening when offering someone assitance - much like they would at an IT help desk. It was also the time that I felt like I was best able to bring my past skills together successfully with the existing GW curriculum that I am still learning.
Q: How have you seen students “break through” this summer?
A: I think the biggest breakthrough across the board is the students' realization that they have the ability to direct and impact their own lives, even when they may be facing long-term and significant challenges outside of class and new learning challenges during class. It changes the choices they make and the effort they invest in the program when they begin to see that they can shape their experiences and create more opportunities by how they dress, how they interact with peers and instructors, whether they turn in work and how well they communicate under duress.
Q: What’s your “go to” ice breaker? Why?
A: Aside from "Dancing Dave," which is great for learning names, I often turn to the pattern game in which one student leaves the circle, we choose a leader and, when the student returns, s/he must discover who is changing the pattern (example, everyone is stomping, then everyone is clapping, then shrugging shoulders - following whatever action is set by the leader). I like it for four reasons:
- It gets the students up on their feet and physically engaged.
- It allows us to select our quieter students to lead, giving them the opportunity to be the focus of attention without feeling quite as nervous.
- It requires the students following the pattern and the student guessing to pay careful attention to nonverbal communication.
- In a larger class like ours, it allows us to enlist everyone at once without taking a huge chunk of time out of our class.
GEORGE OCHOA
Before joining the Genesys Works team, George spent the last two years in Northeast Minneapolis at Sheridan Elementary. He worked on closing the achievement gap by working as a Literacy Tutor with AmeriCorps’ Minnesota Reading Corps, and then as a Title I Literacy Tutor for the Minneapolis Public Schools District. At Sheridan Elementary, he worked with after-school programs in addition to his daily duties. George originally hails from Joliet, Illinois and holds a degree in Government from Dartmouth College.
Q: Why did you join the Genesys Works team?
A: I joined the Genesys Works team because my goals coincide with those of the organization. I firmly believe all students can succeed when given the opportunity and support to enter the professional world. GW provides a gateway into a world many students today find foreign. As a member of GW, I can ensure the students in our program learn the skills needed to succeed professionally and allow them to flourish on their own.
Q: What has been the most enjoyable part of summer training so far?
A: The most enjoyable part of summer has been the atmosphere we have created in our classes. Seeing students work collaboratively and solving problems has been fantastic! For example, many of the students help their peers with work but at times find themselves taking over the keyboard and completing the task for the individual in need of help. Lately, however, I have seen students catch themselves, pull their hands away from the keyboard and say “Actually you do it and I’ll tell you where to go.” It is fantastic seeing this growth in such a short time.
Q: What is your favorite lesson you’ve taught and why?
A: The most memorable lesson up to this point has been the introduction to a stranger exercise. Some of my students had some rather entertaining stories of people they first attempted to meet. Some strangers literally ran away, others suspiciously asked questions. All students, however, were able to meet someone that was willing to talk to them and have an open discussion. Our students used their networking skills and often learned a great deal about the person they met. It was great seeing them understand that you never know who you will meet and that we should always be ready to add someone to our professional network.
Q: How have you seen students “break through” this summer?
A: The biggest way I have seen students “break through” has been through planning for success. Many came in thinking their usual game plan of leaving items to the last minute would work. They quickly learned that in order to succeed, they would have to adapt. All of them have figured out a system that works for them and continue to use the resources around them to improve.
Q: What’s your “go to” ice breaker? Why?
A: My go-to ice breaker would have to be playing Wah. The game holds a dear place in my heart as it was one of the first games I learned entering college. Whenever I think of Wah I think of positive, happy memories of being a student in a new environment and learning new skills. I hope my students remember Wah as fondly as I do when they think of Genesys Works!
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