Batch 6: Career Service Write-Up #2

I attended a job fair in the Phoenix area that was very beneficial. Although I did not end up taking a job from any employers I spoke with, I did get offered two positions. I met with Aetna and Mayo Clinic at this particular job fair and then had an interview with both companies a couple days later. I think both opportunities were great, I just happened to be interviewing for an even better opportunity at the same time.

The job I ended up taking was a healthcare IT consulting position for Cumberland Consulting Group. This position will be a great fit and actually uses both my Master's and my Bachelor's degrees. I got my Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration at NIU, which made me quite unsure if I was ever actually going to use this degree. I have been applying for positions that can utilize that degree and and also the MPA that I am currently working on and almost done with. It has been a stressful journey, but I am beyond excited to start this next chapter in my life.

Batch 6: Free Write

I am going to use this post to talk about how thankful I am to have the internship at CSA and work with such wonderful people. Over the past couple months, the employees at CSA have helped introduce me to as many people as possible so I can have a job lined up by the end of the internship. I have also had meetings with members in both the house and senate to discuss future internships and full-time employment opportunities. I even went to the Gammage and Burnham Law Firm for an interview. I am beyond thankful for all the support and help I have gotten from CSA, as they want to make sure that my path in this field continues after the internship ends.

I ended up getting a job offer from a consulting firm, which I will be starting in December. I could not have done it without the help of CSA. They have helped me prep for my interviews and given me great advice. They truly want what's best for their interns. As I start my new job at Cumberland Consulting come December, I know that I will be able to take a great amount of the knowledge I gained at CSA and use it in the field of consulting. I look forward to my future, thank you CSA.

Batch 6: Free Write

This past week I was able to go on a tour at the juvenile facility that is located in Phoenix. This was a very unique experience, as I did not know what to expect going into it. This building was massive and had kids from ages 9-18 in it. Seeing a young boy at the age of 9 in this facility was not a pleasant site, as I personally believe this is way to young and in a sense unethical. The building was secured very well and alarmed at every door to make sure no one escapes or tries escaping.

Most kids that go to this facility are just brought in for a day or a couple days. The purpose of this facility is to scare kids so that they do not commit a crime again, especially the same one. This facility usually holds kids up until their court date and then they are released. There are several kids that are in there for much longer terms and actually attend classes within the walls of the facility due to repeatedly finding themselves back at the juvenile home for crimes that have been committed. Overall, it was an experience that made my stomach a little uneasy, but I also understand that its sole purpose is to better a child's life and get them back on the right path in life.

Batch 6: Strengths

I feel CSA has many strengths and very minimal weaknesses. A few of their major strengths are time management, presentation skills, lobbying, and leadership skills. Maybe one weakness would be being over worked at times which could alter decision making. I mention this weakness because they do work 10-12 hours a days most of the time which can really take a toll on them. I have seen certain instances where this has shown to have an impact on their daily work.

Time management is the most important strength due to the amount of work that comes to CSA's attention on a daily basis. There are always projects for each employee to work on. Presentation skills (which ties into the lobbying) are important to CSA because they need to be able to use their knowledge they have attained to convince others about the best possible situation with each topic that is discussed. There are many debates going on around the state on a daily basis and CSA has to make sure they are clear with their points in order to get their points across, keeping in mind the people's best interest. Finally, leadership skills are acquired by all employees because they need to be able to lead all 15 counties and help guide them down the best paths for success. This is much easier said, than done.

The only thing I would change, if this was my own organization, is the amount of hours that are worked. This department is made up of six employees. Therefore, I would hire more employees to divide the workload up and get everyone closer to a more standard work week. At times, to many hours in a week can really take a toll on those working for CSA.

Batch 5: Free Write

Over the course of my internship I have had the opportunity to expand on my research skills. As I am sure we can all attest to, there is plenty of research required in school. But how many of us has the opportunity to take the skills acquired and use them in the real world? CSA made it clear upon being hired, that research will become a intricate part of the internship. I have had to do several research project already and continue to expand my research skills as the internship progresses.

At CSA, we have a library with statutes and meeting minutes that dat as far back as the early 1900s. It has been beyond interesting being able to utilize these resources in order to get answers that comply to work being done in the present time. I recently got registered and got and ID card from the Arizona archive office. This card allows me to have access to any information that is available at the Arizona archive building. I have used it a couple times not and I have just been amazed by the service this department offers. Their research skills are off the charts and whenever I have a question, they are able to help me resolve it in no time. Research is a valuable tool that we all should continue to work on and expand our skills set as much as possible. No matter where we work, there will always be some sort of research that will need to be done.

Batch 5: How does your organization demonstrate public service and/or urban governance?

CSA is required to always look out for the public's best interest. As I have explained in a previous post, CSA looks over all 15 counties, each county consisting of county supervisors. CSA is made up of 5 lobbyist that are to constantly work for the people's best interest. This is what makes their roles so important and also highly respected. CSA is heavily involved in decisions being made on a daily basis around the state. I feel that this is directly correlated with urban governance. Since CSA works with both the house and senate, as well as many government officials around the state, there is a domino effect that occurs from the top down. Essentially, the lobbying that CSA does, eventually impacts the citizens at some point in time, having a lag effect.

CSA has a crucial role in Arizona. It's important that they do their jobs and are constantly keeping the people's interest in mind. At times, money can begin to play a big role in politics, especially lobbying. It's important for money to not interfere with the employees's of CSA's everyday job duties. These employees are to stay loyal to the people and their obligations. I have enjoyed my experience thus far and continue to enjoy all the great work that is being done day in and day out at CSA.

Batch 5: Free Write

I was given the task of working on a bill that has to do with tax levying. The goal is to alter a formula in order to make more sense and be directly correlated with the statute that is currently in place for tax levying. The problem is, the citizens of Arizona think their tax rates have increased, when in reality, the levy has increased and the tax rate has actually gone down if not, stayed the same. The reason why there is confusion is because how the formula is set up. Although I am not able to present it on here due to confidentiality reasons, this bill will be presented in the legislative session for all those who pay attention to the many bills that are discussed at that time.

I mention this bill because it is the bill that requires the most time amongst all the bills I have worked on. I am not one that is good with numbers, therefore, this will be a challenge. My boss knows that math is a weakness of mine. Therefore, he said this was the best project for me because I will be able to build in an area I lack in. There is no doubt that this is going to be a tough project, as it has already taken me 2 entire days just to research the bill to understand it. I am not able to move forward, altering the formula, until I completely understand the purpose of tax levying and why this bill is of concern. Even though this will be a challenge, I look forward to working on this bill and gaining more knowledge in bill writing and tax levies.

Batch 5: Free Wtrite

Around this time of year, CSA tends to become very busy. There is a list of things to do and only so much time to get each one done. Meeting deadlines is an important part of working at CSA, all employees are aware of this, as times can be stressful. There is a major caucus coming up that will consist of CSA going over all the bills we have been working on. In attendance will be members from both the house and senate, as well as many lobbyists from all over Arizona. We also got the news that Liz Archuletta got second place in her election for NACo Second Vice President. Although this is a bit unfortunate, it only means she tends to run for US congress in the next election, as her resume has put her in great position to succeed. Also, we have several meetings coming up to discuss numerous topics with other government officials. It will be a busy month for CSA.

To elaborate a little bit more on the caucus that is around the corner. Basically, all the bills we have worked on for the past several months, will be up for a vote at the meeting. Members of the meeting will vote on if they think the bill should go on to the state legislature when the session begins (The second Monday following Jan. 1st). After this voting is done, we take another vote on level of importance for each bill. Essentially, we want to figure out if a bill should be introduced right away because it could take a while to process or if it can be introduced toward the end of the legislative session (the session lasts approx. 100 days). This meeting is very important and is done every year around this time to make sure all the pieces are in place and ready to go by the time the legislative session starts. There are hundreds of bills, therefore, it only makes sense to get as organized as possible by the time the session begins.