Greetings,
By now I hope you're starting to get a sense of where my interests and passions lie. I would like to take a step back and revisit the Morrison Institute for Public Policy (MIPP). Whenever I begin a day at the Morrison Institute, it usually involves a strong cup of java. With that said, like many others working at nonprofits, there seems to be no typical schedule. I will however try to provide a picture of what a day may look like.
Normally, I start around 9:00/9:30am and work until 4:30/5:00 pm depending on the work load. Checking emails becomes priority number 1, after which I proceed with a series of phone calls to potential clients. These clients vary, sometimes we have applied for grant funding (funder), (potential) clients to take our surveys and agencies to work with us on current projects. Usually by the time I finish with this task, lunch calls. I am not one to work on an empty stomach, however there have been days, including today, where I have skipped the mid day meal. This is not something I am normally in favor of, however it sometimes necessary when deadlines are pending. After lunch, the day seems to pass rather quickly. Afternoons tend to be more relaxed, however in terms of output I find myself working best in the later afternoons (when the office is quieter). The pm involves emailing, editing surveys and can also include random activities such as meeting with Phoenix Police Commander Matt Giordano. I will refrain from discussing the details here.
As each day brings on a different set of activities, it is a little difficult to describe what I "normally" do. Hopefully this brief posting has made it more clear about my duties at the Morrison Institute.
Signing off~
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Urban Land Institute: Education Seminar
Hi!
This past week, I attended a seminar presented by the Urban Land Institute (Arizona) in Paradise Valley, "Why Arizona? How Education Influences Our Future". The keynote speaker, Jaime Casap is Google's Chief Education Evangelist, not entirely sure what the title captivates, however it made no difference once he began speaking. Mr. Casap's ability to wield an audience is unlike any I have come across. He advocates for incorporating technology, (e.g. programming) to our primary education system. Moreover, Casap believes we need to start thinking about the job market in a different light, i.e. realize that the positions we hold today may not exist in the future. However, we can and should be training our younger generations for what is to come.
We need to build a culture of 'Iteration and Innovation' - this was Casap's message of the evening. In order for American society to progress, we need to put our energies into fostering this idea of repeat, repeat, repeat and innovation will result. Change doesn't occur overnight, however in today's fast-paced world, it seems like almost every other day, an idea results in new technology. Young people have caught on quickly; it is evident in their use of cellphones, ipads, and use of the web. By encouraging children to explore their passions, and ensuring classrooms are equipped with the hardware and software for these new ideas to emerge, we can continue to expand our knowledge in STEM. Moreover, if children are exposed to new ways of learning in the classroom it may lead to a career in STEM.
The question we need to be asking young people today is "What problem do you want to solve?" instead of "What do you want to be when you grow up?" By asking a specific question with a goal in mind, children can focus their attention to what it is they are passionate about. I have mentioned previously that I would like to work in the area of education/education policy in the future and this seminar brought fourth ideas that I normally don't spend much time thinking about. Embracing technology and realizing that the future is not as bleak as we sometimes make it out to be, is what I have realized via this seminar and Mr. Casap's enlightening discussion on education.
I feel reenergized after meeting various individuals involved in education and policy-making. I am excited about what is to come for future generations.
Stay Tuned~
This past week, I attended a seminar presented by the Urban Land Institute (Arizona) in Paradise Valley, "Why Arizona? How Education Influences Our Future". The keynote speaker, Jaime Casap is Google's Chief Education Evangelist, not entirely sure what the title captivates, however it made no difference once he began speaking. Mr. Casap's ability to wield an audience is unlike any I have come across. He advocates for incorporating technology, (e.g. programming) to our primary education system. Moreover, Casap believes we need to start thinking about the job market in a different light, i.e. realize that the positions we hold today may not exist in the future. However, we can and should be training our younger generations for what is to come.
We need to build a culture of 'Iteration and Innovation' - this was Casap's message of the evening. In order for American society to progress, we need to put our energies into fostering this idea of repeat, repeat, repeat and innovation will result. Change doesn't occur overnight, however in today's fast-paced world, it seems like almost every other day, an idea results in new technology. Young people have caught on quickly; it is evident in their use of cellphones, ipads, and use of the web. By encouraging children to explore their passions, and ensuring classrooms are equipped with the hardware and software for these new ideas to emerge, we can continue to expand our knowledge in STEM. Moreover, if children are exposed to new ways of learning in the classroom it may lead to a career in STEM.
The question we need to be asking young people today is "What problem do you want to solve?" instead of "What do you want to be when you grow up?" By asking a specific question with a goal in mind, children can focus their attention to what it is they are passionate about. I have mentioned previously that I would like to work in the area of education/education policy in the future and this seminar brought fourth ideas that I normally don't spend much time thinking about. Embracing technology and realizing that the future is not as bleak as we sometimes make it out to be, is what I have realized via this seminar and Mr. Casap's enlightening discussion on education.
I feel reenergized after meeting various individuals involved in education and policy-making. I am excited about what is to come for future generations.
Stay Tuned~
Current Projects @ Morrison Institute
Hello again,
This time of the year always passes by quickly, however this particular year has been especially busy. I wonder how a month has passed without a second notice...anyways I'm finding myself falling back into school/internship/work/leisure routine. There is a flurry of (ongoing) activity at the Morrison Institute and my supervisor, Dr. Erica McFadden is no exception; she typically works on 4 - 5 projects consecutively. One such project involves improving relations between the Phoenix Police Department and individuals suffering from mental health issues. By surveying this population, often many of whom are homeless, we hope the data will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying issues associated with mental health and how city services can be more adaptive and responsive to the mental health community.Over the past month, I have had the opportunity to visit local service providers, LodeStar Day Resource Center and Recovery Innovations. As these nonprofits serve individuals with mental health issues, we (Erica, myself and others involved in the project) chose to disseminate the surveys at these particular agencies. Both of these nonprofit organizations are located in the Downtown Phoenix area
for easy access.
What I've discovered is while there are services which cater to the homeless/ and individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI), it appears the city lack shelter for those without a permanent address. I may be going slightly off-topic, however the reason I bring this up, is misunderstanding and lack of communication may arise when a group of people have not been trained to deal with a population which face mental health issues. This requires unique training and a willingness for open communication. At first glance, an officer may not realize an individual is undergoing an episode which may result in circumstances that could have been avoided. Speaking to a number of individuals one of the recurring themes has been more emphasis on listening (communication) from the officers and hospital staff. As mentioned earlier, this project, Crisis System Response - city survey, is one of a handful I am currently working on.
I look forward to reading about others' workplace experiences and learning more about one another.
Until next time~
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Hello!
Hello! My name is Avanti Haque, I am a second year graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree. I moved to the Phoenix metro area from Winnipeg, Canada, last August, experiencing the infamous heat and sun for the first time. Cannot say I have gotten accustomed to the weather, however I do appreciate the summer-like temperatures in December. Enough about the weather, let me provide some details about me. From a young age, I was interested in politics and how government impacts our lives in almost every facet. It seemed like individuals who were most affected by specific policies and legislation often did not have a platform to make their voices heard. My interest in politics and international relations led me to an undergraduate degree in Political Studies at the University of Manitoba (in Winnipeg).
Soon after graduation, I was fortunate to land an internship in rural Botswana through Students Without Borders. This program allows students to gain first hand experience in development projects with local partners. I interned with an after school program, Stepping Stones International. Here, I was able to interact with students from 11 - 18. Stepping Stones provides a safe place for vulnerable youth and ensures they have access to support, both academically and emotionally. As I mentioned earlier, I was interested in social issues for quite some time, but this experience made me realize I wanted a career in education or development in some capacity.
Fast forward a few years and I am hopefully near the end of graduate school and moving towards that goal. Presently, I am interning with the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University. The nature of the position has allowed me learn more about policy formulation and implementation from the ground level, which was also one of my goals of the internship. Two other goals are: to learn and adapt ways to include citizens as part of the policy making process, and become better acquainted with Arizona's political realm. Each day presents new learning opportunities. Interning at an institute where I can gain an "insider's perspective" on local issues is something I cherish. Someday, I would love to work in education policy, as an analyst or program evaluator. Nevertheless, the future is always uncertain.
Soon after graduation, I was fortunate to land an internship in rural Botswana through Students Without Borders. This program allows students to gain first hand experience in development projects with local partners. I interned with an after school program, Stepping Stones International. Here, I was able to interact with students from 11 - 18. Stepping Stones provides a safe place for vulnerable youth and ensures they have access to support, both academically and emotionally. As I mentioned earlier, I was interested in social issues for quite some time, but this experience made me realize I wanted a career in education or development in some capacity.
Fast forward a few years and I am hopefully near the end of graduate school and moving towards that goal. Presently, I am interning with the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University. The nature of the position has allowed me learn more about policy formulation and implementation from the ground level, which was also one of my goals of the internship. Two other goals are: to learn and adapt ways to include citizens as part of the policy making process, and become better acquainted with Arizona's political realm. Each day presents new learning opportunities. Interning at an institute where I can gain an "insider's perspective" on local issues is something I cherish. Someday, I would love to work in education policy, as an analyst or program evaluator. Nevertheless, the future is always uncertain.
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