Working for KIPP Bay Area Schools

It is the summer before my senior year of high school. It's the last summer I am enjoying before I am faced with everything college related: SAT’s, college handbooks, personal statements, scholarships and more. The sun is pounding its rays onto the parks. The beach is screaming out my name.  Still, I am not in either of those locations. Why?  I have an awesome internship this summer!

My name is Lisa Huo I am a rising senior at KIPP King Collegiate High School. This summer I am working for the Development department at the KIPP Bay Area Schools Regional Support Office (KBAS RSO).  My position revolves around donors and their support of KIPP Bay Area Schools. I make sure that donors’ contact information and financial contributions are correctly filed.  Most importantly, I ensure that they are acknowledged by addressing thank you letters and updating their names into KIPP annual report. But that’s not it! I also had the opportunity to arrange interviews for RSO job applicants, and got an inside view into how KBAS runs.

Through this internship, I gained a valuable learning experience. I got the chance to further develop my speaking and writing skills.  Plus, I even went through an interview, which I am sure will come in handy when I apply for jobs, scholarships and even, college. So yeah, I didn’t soak up the sun or hang much with my friends this summer, but I did get paid, gained work experience and supported my school at the same time. Now, I can finally buy a camera! 

Thanks to the KBAS team for giving me this cool opportunity and teaching me the value of hard work.

Tere's College Tip Tuesday

This one is for all upcoming high school seniors and college freshmen. One of my friends who is now a senior at UC San Diego recently told me: “Only 10% of what you learn in university will come from the classroom, 90% will come from everything not related to class.” Does that mean I get to press the snooze alarm and snore for another hour or so? Nope. Going to class is still important, but it’s not the only place you will learn! Put it like this, although you are absorbing up knowledge like a sponge, you still need to apply it. Having said that, some of the best, intriguing conversations you will encounter will be from your peers and professors outside of the lecture hall. Don’t be reluctant to use the university as a resource; join clubs, organizations, go to parties, attend readings, ask for help from the TA’s etc. It’s college, learn about yourself and others! As for me, I plan becoming a member of the Leadership Award Scholars Association, where I will be helping plan events at UC Berkeley.