Meet 2 of our wonderful Mindset & Milestones Student Ambassadors, Arlene (right) and Eunice (left)! Arlene is a rising high school senior from San Diego, California and Eunice is a rising high school junior from Irvine, California. Read on to learn more about their passions, recent interests, and experiences with the program so far!
Learn About...
Why did you decide to join the Student Ambassador Program?
Arlene: I wanted to learn about entrepreneurship from professionals in the field along with other intelligent women who are also interested in the industry. I come from a low-income community that doesn’t have many opportunities like these, especially in business, so I’m excited to foster my ideas and grow as an individual. I also don't often see people of color, or females for that matter, as entrepreneurs, so I'd like to pave the way for others to follow.
Eunice: After reading through the Mindset & Milestones website and learning what this program was about, I became really interested in the fact that it was geared towards girls and teaching them not only business and entrepreneurial skills, but also networking, resume building, and collaborating with other motivated girls my age.
What have you been working on during the Student Ambassador Program?
Arlene: I've been creating a podcast targeted towards high-school students who consider themselves workaholics or believe that their stressful lives (balancing work, academics, extracurriculars, and personal lives) are often invalidated by adults. Even before quarantine began, I saw myself as the type of person who would work hard and keep myself busy. However, at what price do teenagers have to pay for future success? Missing out on living our lives? Worsening the state of our mental health? Questions like these are why I wanted to find a way to help others my age experiencing the same issues as myself.
Eunice: I've been working on narrowing my focus for my own nonprofit, Heads Up Buttercup, by using everything this program has been teaching me so far. I came up with a much more focused mission statement to explain what kind of organization I formed and why it's important!
What has been your favorite part of the Student Ambassador Program so far?
Arlene: My favorite part has been working with everyone in the program! Diondraya has helped me tremendously by proofreading my resume and encouraging me to create this podcast in the first place. Here in the Ambassador Program, creativity and outside-the-box thinking are fostered and motivated, which is such a nice feeling. Plus, you can tell that everyone is passionate about what they teach us, which makes me excited about what we have yet to learn!
Eunice: I have really enjoyed the group Zoom calls because we learn about different skills each week that will benefit us greatly in the future! Also, definitely meeting new people and getting to know the other girls better was fun!
What lessons do you think entrepreneurship can teach girls?
Arlene: Entrepreneurship can teach girls not just practical life lessons with time management, critical thinking, and saving money. Learning to trust yourself, your ideas, and your capabilities and learning to take risks are other significant things that girls can learn. Owning a successful business can only be accomplished through trial-and-error, so we learn from our mistakes and take risks that can either be destroying or rewarding.
Eunice: Entrepreneurship teaches life skills. Not everyone will grow up wanting to start a business, but I think it's still important for girls to learn such entrepreneurial skills because of the other life lessons they'll learn along the way. Risk taking, creative thinking, dedication, perseverance, confidence, and networking are just some of the many lessons that entrepreneurship can teach girls.
What are you passionate about?
Arlene: I'm passionate about fighting social injustices, saving the Earth, and spreading kindness and positivity. I've been a victim of bullying for years. I can only imagine how difficult it is for those suffering in silence. Plus, with rampant racism against people of color, I want to set the record straight and promote equality for everyone, no matter their skin tone, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or cultural background. We only live on one planet, so we should learn to stop spreading hate to others and our Earth.
Eunice: This may sound so cliche, but I am really passionate about helping people. Whether it's editing your school essay so you can get a better grade or planning a surprise birthday party for someone to make them feel special, I love making people happy.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Arlene: I write articles for three organizations, which are the Voices of Gen Z Magazine, Living 6 Feet Apart, and Life Simply Complicated. I also write letters to my pen pals from all over the world as my way of "traveling" and meeting new people while we're stuck at home. Of course, I can't forget my thrifting business called The Thrifty Pikachu, where I sell my used clothes to make room in my closet. But honestly, nothing compares to quality time spent bonding with my family!
Eunice: Besides expanding my platform, planning meetings, and hosting events for my nonprofit, I love playing volleyball, organizing my Spotify playlists, and watching kdramas on Netflix.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Arlene: I would have graduated with a dual degree in molecular and cell biology and business administration. I’d also be traveling to Japan, Italy, France, Spain, and the rest of the world someday to broaden my horizons, try new cuisines, and experience different cultures. I would also be doing my part in giving back to low-income communities by being a motivational speaker and encouraging future generations. Most importantly, I'd still be learning and valuing my education, no matter how "professional" I would be in my field.
Eunice: In 10 years from now I will be 26, so after finishing college and finding a job and becoming somewhat financially stable, I see myself traveling the world (it's something I really want to do)!
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Arlene: I collect postcards from all the places I've traveled to and those that my pen pals have sent me!
Eunice: Tickets to my home-alone-no-one-can-hear-me-singing concerts are normally sold out within a minute.
Thank you so much for reading and stay tuned for our future Student Ambassador Spotlights in the coming weeks!
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Stay happy, healthy, and innovative!
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