Business Profile
Jessica Brooks
AmeriCorps Member 2009-10
Carleton College ('09): B.A., history
As a representative in the employee services unit at Travelers, Jessica relies a lot on her College Possible coaching experience. "The ability to adapt, learn quickly, be creative and analyze situations on the spot has definitely benefited me, and I use these skills every day."
Jessica was an College Possible student herself, and making the decision to serve as a coach after college was easy. "I am a firm believer in taking care of home first. That starts here, with my family, with my community, in my city, where I live and work." Coaching also helped her transition from college to a career, and she came to appreciate the diversity among her coworkers and students.
At Travelers, Jessica enjoys the continued learning that the company supports, provides and advocates for. And though she's completed her term of service, her students remain with her. "I feel connected to this dynamic group of young people who are the faces of tomorrow. We helped shape their lives, and by doing so we shaped our collective future."
Education Profile
Erin Bofenkamp
AmeriCorps Member 2002-04
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities ('04): B.A., history
University of South Dakota ('11): M.P.A., emphasis in nonprofit administration
Creating positive social change is a cause Erin believes in, which is why she currently serves as director of the South Dakota Afterschool Partnership, an initiative that seeks to expand after-school programs for school-age children. "I learned at [College Possible] that if you work smart and hard, positive social change is possible." The best part of her current job? "I love traveling around my home state of South Dakota to work with smart, hardworking people who are dedicated to making the lives of children better."
Erin says her term of service with College Possible impacted her in a big way. "Serving at [College Possible] changed my life. The positive, idealistic organizational culture is extremely contagious. Honestly, I keep Jim’s 'How to be an idealistic leader and create positive change' at every desk I have occupied. I try to live that advice every day, 'be delightful, energize others, eyes on the prize, challenge cynicism, moccasin the lives of others, be grateful and have fun.'”
Because of her experience with College Possible, Erin has continued working for educational nonprofits and is finishing a degree in nonprofit administration. As much as she loves her current position, she said if College Possible ever expands to South Dakota or Hawaii, "tell Jim to give me a call."
Law Profile
Rinal Ray
College Possible Corps 2004-05
Macalester College ('04): B.A., international studies and political science
William Mitchell College of Law ('08): J.D.
Rinal is a staff attorney with the Minnesota Justice Foundation, which provides volunteer law students opportunities to assist attorneys in meeting the legal needs of the low-income community. "Many of the skills I picked up in my time at [College Possible] are applicable to my job – helping students figure out where their legal interest areas lie, counseling them on their options and paths, building relationships and being the ‘face’ of an organization in an educational institution, being a resource to the broader community on how students can increase their capacity, and most of all, how to be an effective advocate for students, legal service agencies, clients and pro bono work." In addition to her work with the Minnesota Justice Foundation, Rinal is the Nonprofit Legal Handbook project coordinator with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
As a child of immigrant parents, born and raised in the US, Rinal understood how confusing and frustrating accessing higher education could be without the support of someone who had been through the process. "With all its twists and turns, I wanted an opportunity to help students navigate the college admission process so they could have access to higher education and the opportunities that come along with college education."
Serving with College Possible shaped Rinal's career path and personal trajectory. "The experience cemented my interest in the nonprofit sector and public interest legal work. Working with high school students helped me realize that I really enjoy working with young people and led to pursuing legal clerkships with the Public Defender’s Office in Rochester, where I did a lot of juvenile representation, and the Youth Law Project at Legal Aid, working with young people with school related discipline problems and special education needs. Serving with [College Possible] also provided me an understanding of the vibrant nonprofit community and instilled the ethic and value of service to community into my legal career and personal life."
Public Policy Profile
Nick Maryns
AmeriCorps Member 2004-06
St. Olaf College ('04): B.A., mathematics
Harvard Kennedy School of Government ('09): M.P.P.
Nick's College Possible coaching experience informs the work he does today as a senior policy analyst with the Minnesota Governor's Workforce Development Council. "As someone who works on state-level education and job training policy, I find that it is always important to understand how things work 'on the ground.' My time with [College Possible] has helped me incorporate the perspectives of students and service providers into my work."
When Nick was looking at job prospects after graduation, the role of an College Possible coach appealed to him. "It's not every day that one gets the opportunity to make such an important difference, and to work alongside so many other energetic, committed individuals." And as a low-income, first generation college student himself, College Possible's mission resonated deeply as a way to empower individuals and level the playing field.
Serving with College Possible was a significant growing experience for Nick, both professionally and personally. "The amount of ownership I was given in my role as a coach allowed me to hone many skills, from managing the details of running a successful after school program to building effective working relationships and a shared vision of success."
"While the difference I can make in my current position is less immediate than it was while working with [College Possible], it is satisfying to see a lot of big pieces slowly falling into place at the state level, and to help shape that."