Tag Archives: CAPS Fellowship

The Vocation of Silent Heroes

My family has always found me to be creative, whether that meant eating hot dogs like corn-on-the-cob at a young age or creating marvelous stories in school through my writing. Even though I, too, find myself to be creative to some extent, I would have never imagined working for an arts organization.

Wait a minute- it’s not just an arts organization. It’s an art organization for everyone and anyone. You may be thinking, Felicia, of course, anyone can do art, or at least, they could try to… why is it so special? But that’s where you’re wrong, imaginary conversationalist. I would venture to say most people think that spaces (whether outside, in school, at work) are inclusive and welcoming to all people, that is, until you are the person excluded by happenstance or purposefully. And this is where ArtMix comes in.

ArtMix meets people with disabilities where they are at, which is something that is often preached and valued but not practiced. It provides arts programming for all people with its main mission of “transforming the lives of people with disabilities through the creation of art”.

A clay bird that I’ve been eyeing, with a squid behind it that I have also been eyeing

One way that ArtMix has changed the way I think is that it makes me aware of accessibility issues. The first week I arrived in Indianapolis, other CAPS fellows and I walked around town to explore what the city has to offer. After walking a very long time, over twelve-thousand steps I believe, we sat down under the shade of the public library’s trees. It was then that I noticed how people in wheelchairs would have a hard time maneuvering the streets since there is constant construction. My friends and I were able to jump and navigate around construction, but a person in a wheelchair would not be able to do that. I struggle to write this because I know that people with disabilities have agency, yet there are barriers that go unnoticed that make life harder for them to live.

Even though some would say that people with disabilities are handicapped, they are even more handicap-able. I don’t know where I first heard the term, but I try to switch my terminology because I believe it is important to give people more agency than not (thank you, Ed professors). We cannot use our differences, and in this context, the differences of actual and perceived ability, to forge a social (and therefore a mental and emotional) barrier; rather, we must celebrate differences and bond over similarities as best as possible.

The ArtMix Gallery, displaying the artwork of our Urban Artisans

Even though I have worked at ArtMix for nearly one month, the nonprofit world is still a foreign one to me; I can say that I am slowly getting the hang of it, but there is still a lot that I have to learn. Sure, I have volunteered for a nonprofit before (shout-out to the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center), but I have never truly been behind the scenes. Now that I am in the hustle and bustle of a nonprofit organization, I can say that though I knew it demanded a significant amount of work, it is much more detailed work than anything that I assumed. Under the umbrella of development, the ArtMix team created, planned, and implemented our events Here’s the Scoop and ArtMix Home Tours with the help of staff and volunteers. We did everything from advertising, alphabetizing, analyzing- and that’s just the “A’s”. Needless to say, we were booked every day making sure each event would go swimmingly. Programming, communications, development, and CEO leadership are all one-stop shops when in regard to staff members; this still astounds me and reminds me of the passion people have for this cause.

Volunteers and staff at our Here’s the Scoop event

Something I have noticed is that ArtMix has a difficult barrier to overcome, for it is on the unfavored side of both the social scene and the arts scene. ArtMix is “low art”, which to my understanding is more down-to-earth and less prestigious. And socially, ArtMix works with a community that is considered “The Other”. This combination is unique, which makes the organization incredibly personal, in my opinion. But this organization- and other ones that reach out to minorities -is pivotal and essential for the people it serves. And that is one of many reasons why I want to be a teacher and pursue the field of education: I aim to build relationships and develop students to a better version of themselves. And furthermore, my passion still remains to make education more equitable. These silent heroes, the people who work for the betterment of others, are the company I plan on keeping.

Outside of work, CAPS has truly blessed me with an opportunity to be independent with other like-minded college students- sometimes it’s fascinating how similar we are. Every evening, we make dinner for one another every night, which I should say is kind of funny, considering we consist of two vegetarians and one person who is lactose-intolerant (so, yes, we are basically vegan for dinner). I really enjoy this, partly because it is routine, and partly because it is a time to catch up and talk about whatever we want to. Sometimes the discourse is silly and lighthearted, but other times, we find ourselves dissecting, and I mean this in all my “millennial” seriousness, the problems of the world and how we find our futures to intersect with them. It is at these points that I like to engage as well as sit back and watch while the people around me exchange thoughtfully eager remarks. Early on, we learned that, for the most part, we have learned that our future careers and our current placements are seemingly thankless yet significant jobs, which I assume most jobs with a foundation on human interaction are. We will be those silent heroes, I’m sure. We’re simply in training right now.

Reflections on Mentorship

My time interning with the CFA Society Chicago has come to an end as of last Friday. As I traveled back to Valparaiso,IN on an hour and a half long ride bus, I thought back to the experiences from this summer.

My mind kept coming back to the theme of mentorship. Of course, it is important to expand your knowledge in any topic by communicating with someone that has “been there, done that.” If you read my first blog post, you know that I interviewed numerous CFA Charterholders whom are outperformers in various areas of finance. I noticed a common theme in all of these interviews that I did not expect, mentors. All of these Charterholders mentioned someone that impacted their career decision, inspired them, or advised them in a direction that has lead them to where they are today; passionate about their roles and willing to extend a helping hand.

During the CAPS Fellowship, we were all connected with an alumni mentor that graduated from Valparaiso University. I met with my mentor, Matt Cavin, and we spoke about a variety of topics including how your professional career is not a path that is set in stone once you begin in a field. Instead, those experiences, skills developed, and shifting perspectives come together to shape who you are, create a unique skill set, and help you excel in your long term goals. However, having an idea of your ideal career or life is key to intentionally begin the journey that will lead you towards those experiences.

Another big idea that we spoke about is that most people tend to settle into a role, a certain track of progression, and just keep moving along. It is necessary to make the conscious decision to peer above our daily lives and see the direction that we are heading in. Sometime, that includes recognizing that a role or career path that you were pursuing is not right for you, and we need to be perceptive enough to recognize that situation and make a transition. Furthermore, as someone that has made the time to volunteer on boards and councils, Matt and I were able to discuss the balance between living your life, excelling in your career, and making time to give back. It was important for me to have frank conversations with someone like Matt who has similar long-term goals, has traveled through a path that I am embarking on, and is only a few years older.

Additionally, during my CAPS Fellowship at the CFA Society Chicago I saw first-hand how an organization that relays on volunteers operates. This highlighted the importance of clear communication since everyone has multiple priorities including their career, family, etc. that they must focus on before spending time on an organization. Thus, it can take significantly longer than expected to make a decision or accomplish a goal. That is why it is important to identify potential leaders among volunteers and provide them with access to the experiences that will give them the skills to succeed. Furthermore, my supervisor and CEO of the organization, Shannon Curley, shared a variety of information with individuals ranging from students, CFA designees, and board members about his experiences in the finance industry and as a leader of a non-profit.

During my last week, I couldn’t help but find it amusing how quickly time always seems to move. It didn’t feel like I had been with the organization very long, but I also went from not knowing anyone in the organization or city to being able to connect people with one another. Furthermore, I attended one of my first meetings for the semester yesterday, a mentoring training presentation for Valparaiso University’s SMART Connections program where I have served as a mentor for three years. Afterwards, I thought about how I can integrate some of the tactics that I experienced this summer. I can’t wait to become an even better mentor to those in the SMART Connection program, my Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brothers, and those who reach out to me as I have to others. As I graduate in December 2016, I will remember my CAPS experience and CFA Society Chicago internship as an opportunity to once again get out of my comfort zone and become even more prepared to lead and serve.

Home and the Yellow Man

I have never been a fan of change. Until college, I lived in the same house my entire life. I’ve gone to the same church since I was a toddler. I attended the same school from preschool to eighth grade. And my taste in food hasn’t changed since I was eight (corn dogs continue to be a staple in my diet).

My girls and me pretending we’re not crying.

So when I had to move (a whopping two hours away) to Valpo, you can probably imagine my feelings on the topic. You know that Yellow Man on Google Street-View Maps that you drag and drop to different places? Have you ever noticed how much that Yellow Man squirms when you move him? That’s how I felt about college. Squirmy.

Going to Valpo meant removing myself from a safely content life of friends and family and faith, and dropping into a Street View I didn’t recognize and didn’t particularly want to get to know. In that place in my heart hollowed of friends and comfort, fears began to fester. I thought these were fears of being disliked, of not finding a group or club or place where I felt comfortable to be myself, of not feeling free to figure out what kind of person I wanted to be.

But, like most things people fear, I was really just afraid of what I didn’t know. And once I stopped confining college inside that dark rigid space of the unknown, Valpo became home to me. I got to spend four beautiful years at Valpo, full of music and love and lifelong friends. Moreover, Valpo provided me with amazing opportunities that shaped me and allowed me to start paving a path of purpose for myself.

You might think I used this photo for my last blog, but it’s different, I promise. Stop judging me.

In some ways, I consider the CAPS program to be a final opportunity from Valpo, a last point in the right vocational direction. Here, I’ve been able to work in many different areas of marketing and communications. Under my supervisors’ leadership (read more about how great they are in my last blog), I’ve worked on social media, event planning, content writing, proofreading, campaign tracking and analysis, website updates, and template building. This internship has both shown me what it looks like to work in marketing and communications and has helped cultivate in me the skills needed to succeed in the field.

This summer, DC has become a kind of extension of Valpo, a temporary home, once again full of (jazz) music, (roommate) love, and lifelong friends. And once again, I feel like I’m dangling over a hazy future, waiting to be dropped right in. But this time, I feel much more at peace (much like the newly updated Yellow Man. At this point, I’m not sure how squirmy the Yellow Man used to be, but for the sake of the analogy, we’re running with it). Sure, I’m scared, but Valpo and DC and LSA have shown me the opportunities to be had from traveling outside my comfort zone. They have taught me to trust in God’s plan for my life, have helped me develop my sense of self and purpose, and have given me more beautiful places to call home. I don’t think I could have hoped for anything quite as good as that.

How to Put a Giraffe into a Refrigerator?

Time flies, I must say. It has passed half-way point of my position at the Concordia Place as a CAPS Fellow and my first time living in Chicago – I am very grateful for everything thus far.

Concordia Place is a nonprofit with a focus on providing growth and opportunities through inclusive early childhood, teen leadership, and senior wellness programs to the community. Having the opportunity to work at an organization that has been changing the lives of Chicago children and families for 35 years is such a great honor. However, initially I almost didn’t take the offer:

The fact that I lack experience in an organization for children before in addition to any advancement related work experience gives me worries because I hope to do a good job with my limited time there. Prior to my first day of work, I was very nervous and timid and did not know how to cope with the doubt and fear – what if I don’t fit in. Not until my week at work, I found that everyone works in the office is very welcoming and friendly – they are always willing to help me learning new things very patiently.

The very first picture I took on my first day at work

Since my first day working at Concordia Place, I’ve gotten the opportunity to develop various skills such as in fundraising and marketing. A new early learning center, Concordia Day, is opening in Ravenswood (see picture below) and I am very glad to be a part of this historical establishment and given my help and support. I am able to learn very hands-on marketing skills from a marketing consultant and how to communicate with local businesses about the organization.

The finishing look of part of Concordia Day

My boss, Cameron, is the bomb. (The “badass” lady who’s giving a speech standing on the bench is her 😉 We bonded over “sweet tea” during our first meal as we discovered that she is from the South and I also went to high school in the South. Not only she is one of the most understanding and helpful people I’ve ever met, she sat down with me on my first day to discuss my objectives for my time at Concordia Place so I could get the most of my experience there. I started to gain confidence from learning her stories and experience.

Cameron giving an introduction of Concordia Place to volunteers from Deloitte on Impact Day

Living in Chicago for the first time has been a blast – I absolutely love the Chicago summer! There are fun events going on almost every day and every weekend. And my real Chicago experience can’t be completed without my beloved “Team Chicago”: Bri, Erin, and, Meow (aka. Evan). Whether it’s going on a spontaneous photoshoot on the street in the middle of the night or watching the Prestige more than 3 times together within a month as it has become part of the “rituals”, being able to have such a support group like them really makes this summer memorable.

#Selfie while waiting on Uber to dinner on my birthday!

Now as I look back in time, I am gradually figuring out how to cope with my fear and confusion. When I have to think about not fitting in or not belonging, like “how to put a giraffe into a refrigerator”, the answer is simply: open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and close the door (where there’s a will there’s a way).

Learning from Outperformers

CFA Society of Chicago Distinguished Speaker Series Luncheon featuring Charlie Dreifus, CFA from Royce Funds

I have just completed my sixth week of interning with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society Chicago, a non-profit whose goal is to “lead the investment profession by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence; to shape an investment industry that serves the greater good; and to serve as the premier local resource for Chartered Financial Analyst designees, candidates, other investment professionals and our communities.” As a part of the global CFA Institute, the CFA Society Chicago focuses on providing opportunities to their members for development through all stages of their career and creating a comradery where individuals share opportunities and insight with each other. One earns their CFA designation, the global gold standard in the investment industry, by completing four years of industry experience, and passing a series of three, six hour long exams. These exams focus on basic knowledge of investment tools at the first level, valuation, effective portfolio and wealth management at the third level, and all three have a very strong emphasize on ethics. More in depth information of the CFA program and process can be found on the CFA Institute website.

Many of the Chicago area CFA charterholders, those that have earned the designation, serve in leadership and advisory roles throughout their communities. The CFA Society Chicago aids this endeavor through their “Investing in the Community Initiative” by connecting members with board and service opportunities at various organizations where they could use their unique skill set as investment professionals to really make an impact. These organizations include the Arts and Business Council, Executive Service Corp, and Goldie’s Place among many others. Furthermore, the CFA Society Chicago has a financial literacy initiative to educate high school students on the fundamentals of personal finance including: bank accounts, credit cards, loans, creating a budget, and even business plans. They typically team up with other organizations such as the Council for Economic Education that present to opt-in student audiences and the Embarc (Empowering Minds, Building Achievement, and Reconnecting Communities) Chicago to increase their impact.

The CFA Society Chicago is led by a core group of full time employees and an elected board of directors, but much of the value it provides stems from eight CFA charterholder volunteer led advisory groups focusing on areas such as professional development, CFA women’s network, and education seminars. One of the advisory groups and leaders within the CFA Society Chicago identified that there is a need for a resource that introduces individuals to the various roles and areas that CFA charterholders work in, what their roles really consist of, and their professional paths. However, this project proved to be very time intensive for the professional staff and volunteers on top of their many other responsibilities. That’s where I come in, I interview high performing CFA charterholders who work in various financial roles throughout the Chicago area including: chief investment officers, vice presidents of global risk management, senior portfolio managers, financial advisers, and entrepreneurs among others. I and two other individuals collaborated on a set of interview questions to ask these professionals ranging from their industry, background, role, how they serve their community, their CFA experience, and advice to those interested in a finance career.

Additionally, in my endeavor to gain a holistic view of the organization, I have participated in the advisory group meetings which meet once a month. While I have been involved in many leadership roles during my Valpo experience, I did have to step out of my comfort zone to voice out my opinions and ideas in these meetings regarding recent and potential programs with to these industry leaders who are operating at a higher level after only being involved with the organization for a short time. Furthermore, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the ongoing discussion on ethics. For example, I was fortunate to attend a distinguished speaker series event featuring Charlie Dreifus, CFA, one of five nominated to be Morningstar’s domestic-stock fund manager of the decade (2000-2010), entitled “The State of Disciplined Value Investing”. One of the areas Mr. Dreifus focused in his talk is the prevalence of companies solely reporting non U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) values in financial documents. While non-GAAP values can provide a clearer picture of a company’s underlying business, they make it hard to compare companies in the same industry because these values are created by adding or subtracting from GAAP values. Furthermore, non-GAAP values typically paint a more appealing picture of an organization’s performance, and can therefore be misleading to investors. Mr. Dreifus challenged the audience, CFA charterholders, candidates, and student members, as current and future leaders in the finance industry to serve as an example by living up to the fiduciary promise- a requirement to act in the best interest of clients and stakeholders-, and to put in the extra effort of calculating and using GAAP values when they are not reported.

Compared to many of the organizations that my CAPS Fellow colleagues are serving with, this is a different type of non-profit, but that is what I was searching for. I was seeking an organization that applies their technical knowledge, professional experiences, and network to set the pace within their industry while serving their community. As a finance student, I have become familiar with the ethical lapses of individuals in organizations that were key drivers of the financial crisis and many recent instances of regulators imposing fines on organizations for illegal and unethical activity. What will lead to less breaches of the fiduciary agreement and unethical activity is a focus on ethics at the individual level such as what is done through the CFA program and their ethics pledge. Charterholders must sign this ethics pledge when receiving their designation and re-sign this promise – to globally uphold, and improve when possible, ethical and professional conduct in financial markets- every year to maintain their designation.

Steven Babitch (L) and Jacob Plummer (Right), Chicago Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leaders

Steven Babitch (Left) Class of 2016 and Jacob Plummer (Right) Class of 2017, Chicago Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leaders

I became accustomed early in the summer to my daily, approximately 4 hour round-trip commute from Valparaiso, IN to Chicago, IL via the ChicaGo Dash. Additionally, I have become familiar with some of Chicago’s surrounding neighborhoods and the L transit system through my use of Airbnb to capitalize on my time in the city by attending various events. These events have included the Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ and Financial Times’ Chicago Forum on Global Cities, the Emerging Leader’s Perspectives on Innovations in Energy and Technology, and the CFA Society Chicago Industry Round Table among others.

So far I have learned much during my internship about the various roles of CFA members, their different career paths, ways that they serve their communities, and the challenges that they have overcame. I am looking forward to meeting more CFA charterholders, sharing these insights with others, and pinpointing the areas where I can apply my skills, talents, and interests to serve best.

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