EXP Insider Newsletter - May 2020
Last week, EXP students learned to code their own video games. The week prior, they honed their networking skills with a global architect and field engineer from Microsoft. This week, they discussed disaster response with an emergency management expert zooming in from Washington, DC, plus got the inside scoop on a career in sports broadcasting – from an ESPN NFL reporter based in Northern California.
Our students may be stuck at home, but that is not stopping them from EXPloring careers and developing new EXPertise. By leveraging online platforms, our Opportunity Engine can now travel across the country to bring new EXPeriences to their screens. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist…)
These ten weeks of quarantine have been extremely challenging. As adults we can seek comfort in the longer perspective, but for our youth, everything is NOW. And, now feels pretty awful. No proms. No graduations. No summer internships.
This is why we are working hard to build our bench of virtual speakers, mentors, and, hopefully, virtual internships. Working together, we can remind students that there is hope ahead. ...that today’s trials will actually help sharpen their skills to succeed in the future. ...that there is a caring community who will be there for them, for the long haul.
You are part of what makes the EXP Family strong. Your support enables us to continue to fulfill our commitment to students and schools. Your partnership inspires us to innovate. Together, we will prevail.
The Results are In! 193 Juniors Completed this Year's Career-Readiness Training!
Join us in congratulating all 193 brilliant, determined high school juniors who successfully completed the Career-Readiness Training requirements as part of this year's EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis. The students attended the final three workshops virtually, turned in their assignments, and completed their internship portfolios. See complete list of students »
In honor of their achievement, each student will receive an EXP Level Up Certification and a $100 scholarship award.
"As native technology users, our students were able to pick-up workshops right where we left off and have demonstrated confidence and incredible poise in engaging with EXP facilitators and industry partners via our online platforms," said Nicole Martin Huezo, director of programs and strategic partnerships, EXP. "And, although this year's class of internship candidates will not get to experience an in-person internship, they still have gained an enormous advantage over their peers by completing our year-long work readiness program. They will go into the world polished, prepared, and ready for success."
We Need YOU! Be a Virtual Speaker or Give a Virtual Workplace Tour
The Program Team at EXP is rolling full steam ahead with our virtual programs to keep our students engaged and inspired. We invite enthusiastic industry professionals to share their career knowledge with our high school youth by volunteering as an EXP virtual speaker! If you are interested, provide us with a 30-minute (or less) video in one of these categories:
Share your career journey
A demonstration of what you do, e.g. game coding, mechanics, chemistry
When/if it's safe, a virtual tour of your workplace
We can assist with the editing part! Just send us the video of your presentation (you don't even have to have the perfect take!), along with any collateral materials you'd like us to include and we'll do the rest.
For more information and to sign up, please email Dr. Dennis Johnson, senior program manager, at dennis@expfuture.org.
EXP Welcomes Two New Members to Its Board of Directors
We are proud to introduce Wayne Kimball, Jr. to the EXP Board of Directors team.
Kimball brings a decade of career experience as a global innovator and business strategist. He currently serves as a Business Strategy Manager within the Global Talent & Organization Practice at Accenture, PLC – Los Angeles, CA. He has also held executive positions at the ActOne Group, Google, and Seigga Capital. Kimball’s leadership background includes serving on numerous boards and committees in education as well as community and philanthropic organizations. He holds an MBA in International Business from Loyola University Chicago and a BS in Civil Engineering from North Carolina AT&T State University.
“I am attracted to the EXP mission because I am incredibly passionate about closing the achievement gap for minority students, and eradicating poverty for all, by providing access, exposure and opportunity,” said Kimball. “The educational opportunities and intentional programming that EXP provides is truly making a difference in the communities that need it most, and I’m humbled to be a part of that impact. With continued dedication and focus, I truly believe we can change the lives of more students in Southern California at scale.”
Daniella D. Ruiz is a seasoned veteran of the container shipping industry as well as a longtime volunteer with EXP.
Her background includes a successful 26-year career with APL where she rose through the ranks from management trainee to a district sales manager for both imports and exports. She recently joined Aloha Freight Forwarders as their Director of National Accounts. Ruiz studied International Business at Mount St. Mary's University. She completed an internship with the United States Customs Service and spent a semester abroad in Valencia, Spain.
Over the years, Ruiz has distinguished herself as a leader, mentor, and positive role model for EXP participants. She has also been a role model for women, and an advocate for higher education and other programs for underserved youth.
As a volunteer for the International Trade Academy’s (ITA) advisory board since 2012, Ruiz helped foster student learning and achievement, and in 2018, was awarded ITA’s “Above and Beyond Award”. In 2019, she created a scholarship fund for EXP that provides financial assistance to students who possess a passion for learning. Ruiz has also dedicated her time as a volunteer walk coach for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's, Team in Training Program, where she not only completed 5 marathons, but raised over $75,000 for blood cancer research. She also served on the Executive Board of the Legal Aid Foundation’s, Long Beach Grand Cru.
This year, EXP is honoring Ruiz with its prestigious Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award! Please join us in congratulating her as part of EXP’s Oceans of Opportunity virtual benefit event airing on YouTube June 2nd at 6PM!
“Being a part of this incredible organization has left an indelible mark on my life,” said Ruiz. “I am elated to have been chosen to serve on the EXP Board of Directors. Mentoring students, helping them recognize their potential, and to witness the achievement of their goals has proven to be an extremely fulfilling and worthwhile experience. I look forward to what we can accomplish together!”