Building Connections: A Conversation with Karen Fung
Our Editor, Dawn, sat down virtually with program graduate Karen Fung to discuss her experiences with CareerReady!. Karen recently completed an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts at Kingsborough Community College and will attend City Tech in the fall to study Human Services. She describes herself as a helper with excellent organization and lots of creativity. In addition, Karen is an activist who leveraged her CareerReady! network to offer job interview training to other students with disabilities (See IMPACTability Prepares KCC Students for Interview Success: this issue). As a Mentee, Karen was matched with Mentor and IMPACTability board member Charnette Lewis. Here are some highlights from the conversation.
DS: What brought you to CareerReady!?
KF: I came to be involved with CareerReady! because I wanted to learn more new skills that would help me in getting a career.
DS: What have you gained from your experiences?
KF: From my experiences at CareerReady! I have gained skills in writing resumes, creating an elevator pitch, developing various transferable skills, and practicing for upcoming interviews. My career goal is to become a human resource assistant or a worker in the human services field. I think CareerReady! has prepared me to meet this goal by working with others in groups, having connections with my mentor, and working on improving my resume with tips that Pam [Judd] and the CareerReady! staff gave.
DS: Tell me about your relationship with your Mentor, Charnette. What do you think you’ve gained from working together?
KF: Our mentor/mentee relationship has been great so far. I’ve enjoyed it. We have been paired since February of this year. My mentor and I both treat each other well and with respect. I ask for help from my mentor when I need help. With each other, I think I have gained experience with teamwork (helping each other and giving feedback when needed) and building connections with others.
DS: I’d like to ask about the panel event you and Charnette co-hosted back in April. Can you tell me about how it came together?
KF: Yes, so when I was at Kingsborough Community College, I was part of Students Unlimited which is a club where students bring awareness to other students that have disabilities. My friend and I were in the club as club officers, as we both have different disabilities. We hosted a guest speaker event where Charnette and others joined and were moderators to talk about interviewing for different careers and CareerReady!.
DS: Is there anything you would tell someone who is considering getting involved with CareerReady! as a Mentor or Mentee?
KF: Yes, I would like to tell someone who is considering getting involved with CareerReady! as a mentor/mentee to use resources that the CareerReady! staff provides and to ask questions when needed.
DS: What has been your favorite part of CareerReady!?
KF: My favorite part of this program is connecting with others and learning more about others.
DS: What brought you to CareerReady!?
KF: I came to be involved with CareerReady! because I wanted to learn more new skills that would help me in getting a career.
DS: What have you gained from your experiences?
KF: From my experiences at CareerReady! I have gained skills in writing resumes, creating an elevator pitch, developing various transferable skills, and practicing for upcoming interviews. My career goal is to become a human resource assistant or a worker in the human services field. I think CareerReady! has prepared me to meet this goal by working with others in groups, having connections with my mentor, and working on improving my resume with tips that Pam [Judd] and the CareerReady! staff gave.
DS: Tell me about your relationship with your Mentor, Charnette. What do you think you’ve gained from working together?
KF: Our mentor/mentee relationship has been great so far. I’ve enjoyed it. We have been paired since February of this year. My mentor and I both treat each other well and with respect. I ask for help from my mentor when I need help. With each other, I think I have gained experience with teamwork (helping each other and giving feedback when needed) and building connections with others.
DS: I’d like to ask about the panel event you and Charnette co-hosted back in April. Can you tell me about how it came together?
KF: Yes, so when I was at Kingsborough Community College, I was part of Students Unlimited which is a club where students bring awareness to other students that have disabilities. My friend and I were in the club as club officers, as we both have different disabilities. We hosted a guest speaker event where Charnette and others joined and were moderators to talk about interviewing for different careers and CareerReady!.
DS: Is there anything you would tell someone who is considering getting involved with CareerReady! as a Mentor or Mentee?
KF: Yes, I would like to tell someone who is considering getting involved with CareerReady! as a mentor/mentee to use resources that the CareerReady! staff provides and to ask questions when needed.
DS: What has been your favorite part of CareerReady!?
KF: My favorite part of this program is connecting with others and learning more about others.
