...and that's a wrap

This semester I was placed at the Maricopa Country Treasurer's office. My main duty this semester was to update the departments record management system. My initial expectation was this was going to be your typical internship that was going to be heavily micromanaged with little responsibility or contributions to the overall department. However, I found that I was pleasantly surprised because this wasn't the case at all. I found that I was given a great deal of autonomy, flexibility, and responsibility to complete my task and provide lasting contributions to the county. I also learned a lot about management in the way of 1) initiative 2) communication and 3) resourcefulness.

1) When I first started at the Treasurer's department, I had very little knowledge about the records management at the state level. I had experience with  records management at the federal level so I had to learn a new system of record keeping. So I had to take the initiative to research all the state and county statutes, laws, guidelines, policies and procedures pertaining to records management. This was a daunting task because I really had no guidance in this area, but little by little I was able to build upon the preexisting information to build a plan to complete my project

2) In order to complete my project I had to communicate with various stakeholders to build relationships and gain the knowledge I needed to understand the records system of the county. This required talking to records managers, State and Federal Archivist, department managers, and employees. As a self-proclaimed introvert, I had would rather sit behind my desk than interact with anyone in the office. So this internship really pushed me out of my shell to converse with everyone in order to create a comprehensive and inclusive records management program.

3) Since we work in the public sector, resources are slim and departments must make due with what they have. One of the major projects of the department need major funding to get it off the ground. So I was resourceful and found a grant to fund the project. Right now, I am writing a grant to help the department with this endeavor which will provide lasting impact to the county.

Overall, my tenure at the Treasurer's Department will very productive and had provided me with the additional skills I needed to succeed in the public sector.

Strengths of my department.

One of the strengths of the treasurer's office is there dedication to serving the public and their commitment to reducing cost to save those added cost to tax payers. If I were in charge of an organization similar to the Treasurer's department I would make the interior more inviting by getting rid of the cubicles and painting the walls bright colors.

Public Service

Maricopa County is the largest county in Arizona and the second largest government in the State.  With over four million residents, Maricopa County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Since 1981, the Maricopa County Treasurer’s Office is the only agency to serve as the county’s ex-officio tax collector and the protector of all school and special districts funds within Maricopa County. The mission of the Treasurer’s office is to keep tax documentation and provide  receipt and safekeeping of all public monies, state and county money, and all taxes collected upon real and personal property of the county in order to fund operations for public services, agencies, and school districts. Furthermore, the agencies vision to provide “Maricopa County residents with convenient accessibility and access to pay their taxes and secure these vital funds in a timely manner to fund operating expenses” is reflective of its duty as civil servants to protect and invest monetary resources for the Maricopa citizens. The department’s unique public outreach programs provide billing information; increase awareness of available taxpayer programs, and problem resolutions to property owners in need. Furthermore, the department sponsors several need-based assistance programs for the elderly, disabled, and widows. Under such programs, populations in crisis have no or reduced property tax liability.

Leadership

Leadership

How does leadership play a role in your internship? Are you able to demonstrate any leadership skills?

My main duty is to update the county's records management program which has not been updated since 1991. When I arrive there was a great deal of ambiguity on behalf of the department on how to proceed with this daunting task. Since I have a background in records management, I took the lead to develop this project. Leadership plays an important part in my internship because I have to guide the department on the proper methods of records management. I make the connections to acquire new information from the State Archives and from the County Records Officer and share that information with the department. I meet individually with department heads to discuss their records inventory and document process. This project requires a great deal of leadership on my part to manage my project and help the department with their records management program.

How do your coworkers or supervisor display leadership capabilities?

I believe leadership comes in different forms depending on the person. My supervisor display's leadership capabilities by understanding I am extremely proactive and independent professional with the knowledge to help guide this department to update their records system. He allows me the autonomy to manage myself and my project and we meet once a week to talk about my progress and gives me suggestions and help along the way.

Interview: Richard Greene

Richard Greene
Deputy Treasurer of Maricopa County

1) What are your main job responsibilities:

• Budgeting
• Special projects
• Monitor Legislation
• Update processes and procedures
• high level reporting (annual and Quarterly report)
• Manage IT
• Develop Program

2) What type of training or education is needed for your position:

• College education-Finance and economics
• Internships in finance, budget, and economic development
• Masters of Business or CPA
• Acquire spreadsheet and analytic skills, query data, data analysis, and critical thinking

3)How did you choose your career?

• Wanted to go into medical school, but finance offered a more profitable career
• Found he was good at things he didn't necessary like but realized he could be an asset to contribute to an organization which lead him to bigger and better things

4)What advice would you give to someone interested in this field?

• Look for marketability of your degree which allows flexibility with any kind of field jobs you could do
• Be creative
• Don't limit yourself to traditional jobs
• there is all these niches in finance in the private, public, and nonprofit sector
• Don't be afraid to learn new things and expand your skill set

Do they notice any trends in the field?

• More professionals with higher technical and math skills
• The workforce is moving toward technology based systems that require high analytical and critical skills
• Those who don't expand and diversify their skill set will be push out by younger people

How I met my fiance-a green Star Wars shirt

Spring break has come and gone. I had a family emergency to take care of and wasn't able to enjoy my last academic spring break before I graduate in December. To make up for a lost opportunity, my fiancé and I will be going to the biggest Star Wars convention in Anaheim, California next month. As you can tell my fiancé and I are huge star wards geeks. The reason why we met was because of our mutual love for this epic Sci-fi franchise. Today's free-write will tell the tale of our first encounter and why so many thing had to align for us to meet that day.

April 20th, 2013. My girlfriend had invited me to see R. Kelly's rap-opera, "Trapped in the Closet" which was showing at Phoenix's hipster mecca, The Film Bar. I've been dying to see this kooky 2 hr+ long drama about R. Kelly, infidelity, "the package", STD's, a cheating minister's wife, little people lovers, and so much more. Gladly, I accepted her invitation and also invited my emotionally unavailable Ex-boyfriend in an attempt to win him back. Seriously, I don't know what I was thinking at the time.

Anyway, my girlfriend, my best friend, my flaky ex, and I met up at the Filmbar that evening. We laughed and cried through R. Kelly's attempt to be more than an mediocre R&B singer. Later that evening, my ex and I separated from our party to run to the gas station to get him some cigarettes. We pulled up the Circle-K on 7th Street and Roosevelt and for whatever reason my Ex did not want to go inside to buy his smokes. Instead, like a true gentleman, he sent me in to get them for him. As I was walking to the door of the Circle-K, two guys walked up at the same time I did. One of the guys, looked like Egon from the old 80's Ghostbuster's cartoon with this weird curly rolled pompadour sitting neatly on top of his cleanly shaved head. The other guy was wearing an incredible hulk trucker hat, khaki dickie shorts, and a Green Star Wars T-shirt.

My eyes flew immediately to the familiar logo and I blurted out "I love your shirt". He replied with a smile, "Thank you". That would have been the extent of our conversation, if his friend didn't make the next move and say, "You haven't seen anything yet. Show her your belt...and your wallet." The guy lifted up his belt to reveal a Star Wars belt buckle and took out his wallet to show me his Star Wars wallet. Astonished by the geeky paraphernalia, I let out the most embarrassing girlie squeal that has ever escaped my mouth. Who knew I would find a fellow Star Wars geek at the Circle K? The next five minutes were a blur. I recall that I told him I was a huge fan of the franchise, but he didn't seem to believe me, because he said, "Yah. That's what they all say." So I had to prove my geek cred that my love for SW went well beyond the movies. I told him I collect SW toys, play all the video games, and read the books. Then I schooled him on his SW knowledge by talking about the books that I have read. He was stunned that a girl like me knew so much about Star Wars. Boom! In your face! Girls like Star Wars too!

We chatted for the next few minutes about our love of SW and his involvement with a local charity SW group that dress up and go to children's hospitals and charity drives. We walked out the door together and I could see my ride was anxious to leave. While we might have hit it off immediately, I was surprised he didn't ask for my name or number. If I didn't make the next move he would have let me, the love of his life, walk away never to see him again. When I make a connection with someone I make sure that I get their information, because you never knew on that off chance what could happen. I seize the opportunity and asked him for his facebook information. Hey, what's the worse that could happen? He could have said no, but to my delight he said yes! I learned his name was Evan and he didn't live to far from the Circle K. We exchanged information and even numbers. He invited me to a party he was going to later that evening, but I wasn't able to go because I was still hanging out with my douche ex. So, we added each other on our profiles and kept in contact.

Four months later, I was returning from an internship in Alaska, and I get this message from Evan that he was moving to Portland and he wanted to hang out with me before he left. I hadn't spoken to him very much since we first met, but we did meet once at the Phoenix Comic Convention in May. However, I was extremely shy when I saw him and wasn't as talkative or sociable. So, when he messaged me in August, I figured I should at least see him once before he left. We made plans to hang out that evening at a local bar in Phoenix. I brought a few of my friends along because I didn't want to be there by myself if it was once again awkward between us.

Like the first time we met at Circle K it was apparent we had chemistry that rivaled Han Solo and Princess Leia. We talked all night long. When my friends went dancing, we stayed outside and talked about life, our likes and dislikes, music, geeky stuff, and past relationships. We both agreed we weren't into playing games nor dating for dating sake. He told me right then and there that he really liked me; I confirmed I felt the same. My friends were dead tired at 4am when Evan and I parted ways. It wasn't long before he texted me that day to ask: "When can I see you again?" We spent the next few days getting to know each other, but we both knew that this was it for both of us. Three days after our initial meeting, Evan asked me to be his girlfriend. Why wait? I mean we already knew. He always says to me, "You had me at Star Wars" and he's right I did. I'm not a firm believer in fate, but so many things had to coincide for us to meet that day.

Evan proposed to me a year later in the most fantastic way imaginable, but before he did we had to go through the final test to prove our love for each other...but that's another story all together.

Fun, Fun, Fun

Last Saturday I went to the Renaissance Fair with my fiancé and best friend! I also went to the Japanese festival with my friends on Sunday. So much fun!