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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 2008)
Smoke Signals 9 MAY 15, 2008 experience, learn about themselves, find careers Editor's note: This is the second part of a series written by for mer Mentee Angela Sears about the Tribe's Mentorship Program. Part One, which concentrated on the program and the 2008-09 Mentees, appeared in the May 1 Smoke Signals. This part tells the stories of former Mentees, how the experience helped them and where they are now. Angela Sears Shayla Rogers JT Shayla Rogers Shayla Rogers, 24, was looking to gain knowledge of Tribal operations, practi cal experience and a way to give back to the Tribal community when she entered the management track of the Mentor ship Program in August 2006. She entered the program with an associate's degree in business admin istration from Pioneer Pacific College, and a year of experience working in the construction industry. Rogers began her rotation working in the Finance Department, but soon realized that number crunching wasn't for her. She transferred to the Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority where she utilized her knowledge and skills on many projects. The project most prominent in Rogers' mind included playing a key role in the Grand Ronde Free Recycling Program that allowed her to interact with and encourage Tribal and community members. "I helped many community members to remember that even though Grand Ronde isn't our ceded land, it is our community, and it is our obliga tion to care for our environment just as our ancestors would have done," said Rogers. "Overall, the program was a great success and I consider it a milestone in my career; one in which I am very proud of." After leaving the Mentorship Program, Rogers took a job as a reception ist in the Portland area so she could be closer to home. She also did some independent business consulting on the side and helped start a women owned cafe in the Portland area. Rogers soon began to realize that there were bigger and better things that she knew she was meant to do. She reevaluated her life and moved to New York City, where she obtained a job as an assistant project coordina tor for the America Red Cross. Rogers is responsible for the oversight of all operations of the statewide CPR and first aid classes provided to childcare providers in the state of New York; preparation of quarterly reviews; training for 25,000 childcare providers per year; and ensuring the program stays in compliance with grant requirements. "I work very closely with upper-level management who share the same level of passion and professionalism that Denise Harvey possesses, and I'm really happy to be working for such a wonderful organization," Rog ers said. "The Mentorship Program prepared me for my future by giving me knowledge and experience that I never would have found anywhere else. I got the chance to work with some truly talented professionals, like Dunne Hussey and Kric Scott, who nre passionate about our future and develop ing the community of Grand Hondo. "Working in an environment whose mission included ensuring affordable housing nnd promoting self-sufficiency hns helped me to see thnt life isn't all about money. I started thinking about what my own passions in life were, and everything seemed to fall into plnce over time. "My resume grew and employers noticed. 1 haven't turned down so many jobs in my life! "And now 1 can improve society on a global level, while also getting in volved with the numerous worldwide committees nnd volunteer opportuni ties. In fact, I plan on getting involved with recruiting Native Americnn employees and volunteers. "Incrensing diversity is very important to the Hod Crass, nnd I definitely ptnn on doing my part." ir i (P ' Angela Sears Angela Sears, 36, is a 2005-08 manage ment track mentee. When I entered the Mentorship Pro gram, I was beginning my senior year at the University of Oregon. I was looking for internship opportunities when I heard about the Mentorship Program. It was the perfect opportunity to continue my education while working for the Tribe. I was hoping to gain valuable job experience and learn about casino marketing at Spirit Mountain Casino, but what I didn't realize is that I was going to get an opportunity to learn much more. I began the program working part-time because I was a full-time student in Eu gene, and I worked weekends in table games at the casino. My first placement was in Publications for the Tribe, writing articles and taking photographs for Smoke Signals. After about three months, I transferred to the casino to begin learning about marketing and gaining job experience. At the time, the Marketing Department was undergoing a transformation and things started out a little bumpy. Nonetheless, I gained experience learning about events and promotions, direct mailing, damage control (answering customer complaints), player services, VIP guest services (as a casino host), and writing for the casino Web site and employeeguest newsletters before moving on to the next phase of the Mentorship Program. I was about to graduate from UofO with a bachelor's degree in journal ism and communications, a double emphasis in advertising and public relations, and a minor in communications. I had several years experience working in table games and was not sure which path I really wanted to pursue. I decided to take advantage of the program's flexibility and transferred to the Table Games Department, where I learned the responsibilities of a pit supervisor, assisted as a gam ing instructor and worked on various departmental projects. Upon completion, I accepted a full-time position in table games as a pit supervisor. Although I enjoyed this career choice and was promised a promotion in the near future, I still had the feeling that there was more out there. The Mentorship Program was about to begin hiring for the next round of training opportunities and I knew this was my last opportunity to fig ure out what I really wanted to do, so I applied for a second term in the program. I went to work full-time in the Tribal Public Affairs Department, where I worked on Tribal tourism projects, provided information about the Tribe and casino at events and conferences, planned and executed special events, wrote press releases, wrote articles and took photographs for Smoke Sig nals, and worked on fundraisers for Tribal members and Elders. After completing the second term of the Mentorship Program, I realized that public relations and casino marketing was the career path I wanted to pursue. During the program, I did some independent consulting for a marketing firm out of Pennsylvania that is looking at getting into the gam ing industry. I had an opportunity to join their team full-time, but knew thnt Spirit Mountain was getting ready to open its casino expansion and would likely be expanding the Marketing Department as well. I am now working nt Spirit Mountain Casino as a marketing coordinator under advertising nnd public relations. Going through the Mentorship Program twice gave me nn opportunity to lonrn about Tribal operations, gain valuable experience in public rela tions nnd make n decision nbout my enroor. Hut more importantly, it also allowed me to reconnect with my heritage, culture nnd family members I never know I had. For me, thnt wns probably the most valuable aspect of the program. I believe the Mentorship Program is designed to be nn excellent pro gram, nnd the key to its success is the nccrptnnce by nil those who nre involved. Denise I Inrvey hns boon n tremendous support system for me throughout the Mentorship Program. She does nn exceptional job of ensuring thnt nil mentees have n successful rotation nnd got ns much knowledge nnd experience ns they enn from the program. She is n woman of courage and conviction, nnd she is the womnn behind the success of this program. llnyu masi, Denise (many thanks).
