UTF Youth Empower Day

     
In Saturday, March 28th, 2015, I went to the Youth Empower Day event held by the United Federation of Teachers. The conference had given me many inspiration, ideas, and a really fun, memorable time. They have invited many successful people in different career fields explaining us their careers, their stories, and their backgrounds. They provided us great food, speeches, giveaways, music,a few dance parties, competitions, and many fun stuffs.
      We start off by listening to the 3 panels they introduced us, one was a Human resources manager, one was a NYPD lieutenant, and a Harvard Graduate who is a staff of the Brooklyn Nets. Two of the panels have told us that they started working right after they graduated high school, at first it was alright, but it is not enough for them to move up and pursue their dreams. So one started going to the college while working to get all the degrees and one study and learn in his current work. One told us that he needs to study 16 hours every day to remember a huge book size of rules, so he can take the test and move on to the next level. This shows us that college education is really important and having just the high school diploma can really limits yourself to have a better career. One told us about she studying abroad in China. She learned their culture, their language, and had more life experience from living in different place. And learning these new things can help you communicate better with others and be more versatile with different kinds of people.
      One quote I really like was from the lieutenant. He said that one would never lose its value no matter what happens. It's just like and twenty dollar bill, you can harm it in many different ways, but no matter what you did to the money, it still has its value. And by the end of the day, you can still use that twenty dollar bill to buy something that is worth its price.
      Later on we had a woman who works in the media to talk to us about her story. She said that her youth was not happy, she could have did all the wrong things if she wanted, but she decided to stay away of them because she knows that those things won't help her in the future in any way and would only ruined her life. And to pursue her dream, she create a good network of people. And knowing someone in the field you want to be in can be really useful, because the person she knew actually provide her a career in the media field in which she can make her dream come true.
      After listening to another speech about how the panels themselves have overcome many of the wrong things they did. They offered us a great tasty meal in which I enjoyed really much. During this lunch break, there were music and they were telling people to dance. Everyone was really enjoying. Also their were prices to win. Regrettably, I didn't win anything, but seeing people getting surprised as they win something, is enough for me to enjoy, since I never had luck. Later on this time, they also had a dance competition between each school. But our school was too shy, so no one wanted to go and even they were forced to go, they didn't do anything while all other schools were really intense.
      Later on, we have the author who wrote "Die Free," Cheryl Wills to talk to us about the past. She said that when she was a kid she and he parents never knew who they really are and where they truly came from. But until she did her research years later. She found out that her great grandfather was a slave traded from Africa to the U.S. Although he is a slave, but he was smart. He join the civil war and help the people. He and his wife did what was right and gain what they were suppose to have. After her impressive speech, she introduced a student to everyone. This student told us about his life when he was hanging out with the wrong people. He had about 5 injuries on his body and he's only 18 years old. And now he realized that you should never hang out with the wrong people and moved to the right path. He even show us his own original impressive rap song about this topic and it was really inspiring.
      Next, we have a business man who works in the advertising field to tell us about "Geniuses". He said that there are many different type of geniuses. And everyone is at least one of them. That's why some people are good and one thing and others are good at others. He even came up with steps and rules of finding what kind of genius you are. And he will be publishing a book about "Geniuses" later on this year.
      Overall I had a really great time in the "Youth Empowerment Day" event. I enjoyed all the fun. I am truly inspired by all these successful people. And I wish to attend this event again if I have a chance to.