This course had two main aspects to it; tackling a social issue and improving the ability to work in a team. The first half of this course we were assigned to individually take on a social issue that is currently going on and make a portfolio containing information about the issue as well as personal development content. I chose to focus on the issue of violence during protests; specifically during the Black Lives Matter protests. This ongoing assignment has allowed me to see the issue from different points of view and to work on networking skills by conducting empathy interviews with different people from different organizations.

The second half of this class was spent working teams to focus on a different social issue. We were given more flexibility and were not required to create a portfolio. My team focused on sex trafficking of boys and males in Thailand. We researched different organizations and even teamed up with an organization known as Urban Light. To advocate and raise awareness, we created a social media campaign through Instagram to give people information on the issue because it is not a popular issue. This gave me the chance to work in a team while doing something that is for a good cause.

https://sites.google.com/view/alexkiyotamyimpactportfolio/home

Similar to this assignment, I created a portfolio about myself as well as the issue of violent protests. I chose this assignment as my artifact because it contains many other assignments. It was difficult to pick just one assignment for my artifact, so this portfolio was helpful because it contains assignments that focus on my personality traits, failures, who I am, and many other topics. The portfolio above shows how I have grown during this semester and I am hoping that it inspires others who see it to not be afraid to take on any social issue they are passionate about.

One of my favorite parts about this practicum was the opportunity to network and chat with different kinds of people. Some people I was able to talk with include Steve Chase who is with the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict, Sarah Ball who is with Voices for Creative Nonviolence, and Alezandra Russell who is the founder of Urban Light. The opportunity to network with these individuals gave me valuable skills that I can apply to informational interviews with professionals and career fairs.

Having the chance to work in a team while advocating for a sensitive issue was also a great opportunity for growth. It taught my how to work in a team in this different online setting. More specifically, I gained the experience of having to talk about a touchy subject with a team. This often happens in the workplace, and people often struggle to speak their mind. I feel as if now I have the ability to not be afraid and speak my mind, no matter how uncomfortable a topic may be.

• For the rest of my time at UMD, I have several plans in mind:

  • Get an internship revolving around finance

  • Join a fellows program

  • Apply for the Smith School of Business Plus One Program

  • Volunteer with Urban Light to combat sex trafficking

• Post-Graduation Plans

  • Get my masters through the Plus One Program

  • Get a job as a financial consultant or financial entry level position

  • Explore careers as a business analyst

  • Continue building my professional network

My name is Alex Kiyota, and I am a student at the University of Maryland and a member of the Public Leadership Scholars Program. Throughout my time in the Public Leadership Scholars Program, I have developed many skills that will improve my performance in the workplace. I gained experience of working in teams, conducting interviews, analyzing organizations, and leading others. The skills I have taken away from this program allow me to be able to succeed in the work force.