Cambridge student reflects on her internship

My name is Rode and I am originally from Haiti. I am in 11th grade at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. As part of the Enroot program, I am working at the Harrington Community School. This school is a place where elementary school kids come after school to learn and have fun. I help the teacher make sure that the kids are safe. I also help the teacher to make sure that the kids are following directions and answer questions.

The most interesting parts are playing with the kids. It's interesting because I get to know the kids and they are all very different. For example, some kids are better behaved than others. I learned how to connect with kids. I learned how to be responsible. Also, I learned how to work with teachers and staff. While I am working with them, I get to improve my communication skills. 

Mentoring at Enroot

Vanessa and Wendy build a gingerbread house together.

Hi my name is Wendy and I am a junior at Cambridge Rindge and Latin. I’m from Haiti and my mentor’s name is Vanessa, she works in finance and she likes exercising and going out to dinner with friends. The things me and my mentor have in common is we like  to shop, travelling, dance and we would also like to afford a big house in the future. I talk to my mentor about the college i would like to attend which is Yale University. And my future career which is a pediatric doctor. My favorite part about Enroot is you get to interact with new people and the people are very kind and welcoming.

Our Trip to Microsoft

Our program in Somerville is off to a strong start. Students recently went on a career visit to the Microsoft Store to learn more about career opportunities there. Here is one student's account of the day:

Emanuelle and other Somerville students try their hands at coding.

Hi my name is Emanuelle. I am a sophomore at Somerville High School, and I am from Brazil. This week we went to the Microsoft store in Boston. When we first got there they started to talk about their jobs. They also explained the history of Microsoft and who founded the company. Next they taught us how to code. We watched a tutorial on the computer, and then we made our own code. At the end we played the game that we made with the code.

The most interesting part of this visit was when the employees told us how they got their jobs. For example they explained which classes they took in college and what else they had to do to get their jobs. This was interesting because, it is helpful for people who might want that job.

One thing that I learned is that Microsoft's CFO is the first woman to hold that position. Her name is Amy Hood and she is on Forbes, list of ‘’The World’s 100 Most Powerful Woman’’. It’s great that a woman is in that position because usually we have a lot of man in top leadership positions. Amy Hood is an inspiration for girls who want to be powerful and independent when they grow up.

Our trip to Microsoft was exciting and I learned a lot about different parts of the company.

Why I Joined Enroot!

By: Sampriti, Enroot Student Class of '17

Hi my name is Sampriti. I came to the United States last April.  Last year I joined the City Links mentoring Program [now Enroot]. I got an amazing person as my mentor. She was very helpful and friendly. I was helped by her with my homework and improving my English. My mentor also gave me information about the college application process. We also went to museums, made art projects and went out for ice cream which was really fun. As a new student in this country I understood that I could never get these opportunities unless I joined City Links.

Samprity and other Enroot students at the MIT Hackathon.

This was my first summer in the United States and I got a summer job through City Links. I worked as a junior staff member for an academic program called Summer Discovery. I worked helping teachers in the classroom with the students. It was a great experience and I have learned how teachers take care of students. I am feeling grateful that I was a part of Summer Discovery, and I enjoyed working with the teachers.

Also during the summer City Links arranged a few field trips I got chance to visit Trip Advisor, Novartis, Education First and Georges Island. I also got chance to participate in a MIT Hackathon.

“City Links” is now “Enroot”. This program only has changed their name. The goal is the same. This program has many different options for immigrant high schools students. As an immigrant student I think I made the right decision to join this program.