This past week has been one of learning and growing. I had the opportunity to be a part of the 4-H Youth Career Explorations program at Cornell University where youth from all across New York got to engage in different activities in an attempt to explore various careers. They engaged with professionals from different careers who spoke with them about their journey and field. Specifically, I got to be part of the University U program where the youth we were with experienced a diverse set of professions, from neuroscience to dietary nutrition, and took part in fun activities such as pottery.
The time at the 4-H Career Explorations program was not only educative, but it also helped open up the young minds, especially of those that I work with in our endeavour to address racism as to the myriad of opportunities out there and be able to find their passion, or realize avenues they might not really be interested in. The implications of this are to remove the systemic racial barriers that have been put up against underrepresented minorities psychologically. For these young individuals to be able to see people from all ethnicities in different fields and doing amazing things is a wonderful thing. I was privileged to see sparks lighting in their eyes as they listened and engaged with the various programs that they attended, a spark that I hope will carry them forward toward forging a society of racial inclusivity and excellence that learns, unlearns or relearns with the aim of being change makers.
I myself was also surprised to find my interest sparked in one or two programs, one being neuroscience and its intersection with math and computer science. As well, I was reminded of having a growth mindset and how that can be pivital in not just the big things but also the seemingly little things. And my hope is that these youth would keep the growth mindset at heart and that it will propel them forward and that their time there was as beneficial to them as it was to me. Addressing racism is an all inclusive task and i’m glad to be a part of the youth who are seeking to do their part to do so.