Bottom Line

Meet October’s alumna spotlight, Noelani Guerrero!

Noelani D. Guerrero is currently a Human Resources Coordinator at Nutter McClennen & Fish, LLP. She received her B.S. in Communications and Human Development from Boston College in 2007. Her goal is to continue working in the Human Resources field as a Generalist and ultimately a Manager. Noelani was born and raised in Boston and enjoys staying involved in community service. She currently serves on the Bottom Line Alumni Board and volunteers with the Hyde Square Task Force College Bound Mentoring Program. At some point, Noelani would like to go back to school and earn a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management.

High School: West Roxbury High School

College: Boston College

Graduation Year: 2007

Job: HR Coordinator Nutter

Bottom Line Memory: Go Far Dinner my senior year of college where I had made a connection with Eastern Bank employees and later got one of my first jobs out of college with them.

If I could send a care package, I’d fill it with: Hand Sanitizer and Chap Stick (can never get enough), healthy snacks, chocolate, pens & pencils (that always manage to get lost), and a quote of encouragement.

Why I stay involved with Bottom Line: The staff and supporters made a huge impact on my college application process and beyond. 

People would be surprised to learn that I used to: Stroll at parties with my sorority sisters….(I still do on occasions!)

The BEST part of being a college graduate is: Not being a student! No more early classes, homework, midterms or finals – although that prepared me for the real world experience, so I’m grateful for it.

The HARDEST part about being a college graduate is: Finding a job that you like, with a company that you like where you can grow and see yourself long term. 

Join me in supporting Bottom Line by…. I supported the Rodman Ride by donating $100 dollars of my own money and fundraising another $500; join me and donate today!

During the 2013-2014 school year, Bottom Line’s six full-time career counselors will provide career services to approximately 600 juniors and seniors who are enrolled in our Success Program. Each student will meet with their counselor between 8 and 15 times over the course of the school year to determine a career path, edit cover letters and resumes, apply to internships and jobs, practice interviewing and networking, and find opportunities to build relationships with professionals in their areas of interest. Students will also have the opportunity to attend Bottom Line hosted career events through one of our career partners. Read more below about  Erin’s summer internship with Sun Life Financial, one of Bottom Line’s career partners.

Erin (pictured left) is currently a junior majoring in Business Management at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management.

How did your Bottom Line counselor help you find a summer internship?

My Bottom Line counselor helped me narrow down internship opportunities based on my major in Business Management. We did several internship searches together and she helped me tailor my resume and cover letter to fit various opportunities. Sun Life Financial is one of Bottom Line’s career partners, so when my counselor found out they were hiring interns, she sent job descriptions to me and helped me apply.

What did you learn from your internship?

I was asked to stay on by Sun Life Financial and I have been able to work there part-time during the school year, so I am still learning from this internship. I have learned a lot about what I am capable of doing: before this internship I was working at a convenient store, so having this internship has really helped me learn a lot about organization and professional skills.  My internship has also helped me to gain insight into the jobs that are available in my field. A lot of times college students don’t know what to do because they don’t know what they can do. One of my favorite things about working in HR is writing and sending offer letters. I remember being on the receiving end of that letter. It’s exciting because the offer is not just a job; it’s a career.

How is your Bottom Line counselor helping you with career preparation this year?

Now that I am a junior, I am even more focused on my future career path and where my experiences will take me.  I am going to focus more on networking opportunities with my Bottom Line counselor and I am looking into focusing my studies on Human Resources. I love working and I feel even more invested in my classes now that I can really see how what I am learning applies to a career.

Bottom Line Students attend Success Send-Off at Hill Holliday

Bottom Line hosted its Success Send-Offs in Worcester and Boston. More than 300 students attended to celebrate the start of their college careers with Bottom Line.

In Worcester, students gathered at The Hanover Insurance Group campus where Assistant Vice President of Community Relations Jen Luisa addressed the group and acknowledged their tremendous accomplishment: applying and being accepted to college. Students heard from Yuisa Pérez Chionchio of Worcester Public Schools who wrapped up the Success Send-Off with an inspiring speech recognizing the importance of Bottom Line’s College Success program and its college counselors.

In Boston, students gathered at the Hill Holliday office in downtown Boston. The event kicked off with an address from Ruthanne Russell, a Salem State University alumna and Chief Human Resources Officer of the Hill Holliday. Russell has been on the Bottom Line board in Massachusetts since 2012. She encouraged the new college freshman to work hard in the future but also enjoy their success. Students also received advice from Bottom Line and Bridgewater State University alumnus Joe Bogle who drew on his own experiences to emphasize the importance Bottom Line support.

Students at both Send-Offs had the opportunity to meet peers attending the same colleges and their college counselors. They performed school cheers and discussed their excitement and anxiety about starting college in the fall.

The Success Send-Off is the culmination of a series of Bottom Line transition events designed to prepare the high school graduates to successfully enter college in the 2013-14 academic year. Students who complete Bottom Line’s College Access Program and attend one of 20 popularly attended Massachusetts colleges are eligible to join Bottom Line’s College Success Program.

Meet July’s alumna spotlight, Johanne Philistin!

Johanne graduated with a B.A. in Accounting from Northeastern University in 2010. She is originally from Haiti, and moved to Boston ten years  ago. She is currently a Staff Accountant at Industrial Economics. Her goal in the next few years is to go to graduate school and get a CPA license. Johanne currently resides in Hyde Park where she enjoys riding her bike.

High School: Hyde Park High School

College: Fisher College & Northeastern University

Graduation Year: 2010

Job: Junior Accountant

Bottom Line Memory: The first time I met Dave, I remember him trying to reiterate the fact that the service was free and I thought it was a sales pitch just to get me to sign up. Little did I know the service was, in fact, free.

If I could send a care package, I’d fill it with: Starbucks gift cards and Kit Kats

Why I stay involved with Bottom Line: They supported me through college, and now it’s my turn to support them.

People would be surprised to learn that I used to: Do ballroom dancing. ( I wasn’t a pro or anything, but I wasn’t bad either.)

The BEST part of being a college graduate is: No homework! (Just kidding). Working in my field and putting all of that theory into practice.

The HARDEST part about being a college graduate is: Loan repayment  

Join me in supporting Bottom Line by…. Joining me on the Rodman Ride or supporting me by going to my fundraising page to contribute!

On September 28^th I will be riding 25 miles in a non-competitive ride to support Bottom Line. I ride with Bottom Line because I want those college students to have the same opportunity that I had as a Bottom Line student. I was in their shoes not too long ago, and I know what it feels like to want to walk across that stage and receive that diploma. I believe Bottom Line can help them achieve that goal, and I want to contribute to their success and be part of their journey.

This summer at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, Bottom Line hosted a series of Training Camps for over 400 students who will be starting at one of our target colleges in the fall. Training Camps are a day- long series of workshops to help students prepare for the transition to college in their first year. Counselor-led workshops provide students with practical academic and time management skills as well as tips on how to adjust to campus culture and take advantage of campus resources.

Training Camp also allows students to meet peers who will be attending the same colleges in the fall and to get excited about the opportunities available at college and through the Bottom Line’s Success program. See below for short interviews with Bottom Line students who attended last month’s Training Camp.

Graciela Peña graduated from Boston Latin Academy. She will be starting at Boston College in the fall.

Graciela Peña

What are you most looking forward to about college?           

I am most excited about meeting new people from different parts of the country. I am also excited about studying abroad. I have heard the Boston College has great study abroad opportunities and I am really looking forward to taking advantage of all of the things the campus has to offer.

How has your Bottom Line counselor supported you?

Joe was a great counselor; he helped me with everything. He was very patient and motivated. He made the whole process of applying to college less stressful.

Katerine Garzon graduated from East Boston High School. She will be starting at Suffolk University in the fall.

Katerine Garzon

What are you most looking forward to about college?

I am looking forward to graduating and receiving my diploma.

How has your Bottom Line counselor supported you?

My Bottom Line counselor was extremely helpful, he told me what paperwork I needed to complete and helped me get everything in on time. I could not have finished my applications without him!

Carine Barbosa graduated from Boston Community Leadership Academy. She will be starting at Fitchburg State University in the fall.

Carine Barbosa

What are you most looking forward to about college?

I am looking forward to meeting new people and learning new things. I am also looking forward to being more independent.

How has your Bottom Line counselor supported you?

Bottom Line has supported me a lot. They really helped keep me on track and always called. Even when most of my application was complete, they still called to make sure I was following up with everything.

The end of the school year is an exciting time for Bottom Line high school students and their Access Program counselors. After several months of submitting applications, editing countless essays, and securing financial aid, we see the amazing results of our work.

“Wow! Is that it? Are we like done? I can’t believe that I’m going to college,” said one of my students as we finished discussing the next steps at her last meeting.

Another student’s parent said, “Thank you so much for helping my daughter! I don’t know how you do this job—I would be so bored, but thank you for your time and patience!”

For many students in our program, making the decision to attend college was one of the most important decisions in their lives, and it’s a decision we as counselor take seriously. For low-income, first-generation students, it’s a tremendous financial investment. One of the key things that Bottom Line values during the decision-making process is financial aid and the affordability of our student’s schools. According to the article “How Counselors Can Shape the College Plans of First-Generation Students” from The Chronicle of Higher Education, “the time counselors spent on college-going activities had a statistically significant effect…on students’ perception that college was affordable.” As organization, one of Bottom Line’s core values is responsibility, and, as counselors, we have a responsibility to assist students in making an affordable choice when choosing a college by informing them of all of their options. I’m happy to report that the majority of our students have made financially sound decisions about the school they will attend.

But, for low-income, first-generation students, getting into college is just the first step. Nationwide, only one-third of college students from these backgrounds actually graduate. Bottom Line’s Success Program prevents this by giving students who attend one of 20 regional Massachusetts colleges up to six years of one-on-one college counseling. The overwhelming majority of our students will be enrolling in the program: in Massachusetts, 89% of eligible students have attended or will attend Success Kick Offs, where they have the opportunity to learn more about the Success Program and what the services that they can expect to receive from Bottom Line during their college years.

I can remember hearing the enthusiasm and, at times, the relief of students who decided to participate in the program—they were glad to know that they could still receive Bottom Line’s help in college!

Before most of our students begin their college careers, they will be working, travelling, and/or participating in a summer bridge program at their institution. Unlike a lot of college students, our students have to work to support themselves and their families. Nonetheless, they are going to college with the hope of gaining the knowledge and capital to make their community a better place.

– Deandra Roberts, Access Program Counselor

Meet June’s Alumni Spotlight, Kim!

Kim Nguyen is a recent graduate of Brown University (2011) and currently works at Harvard as a Development Assistant. She was born and raised in Dorchester and moved out after college to only live a mile from her childhood home. (Her family is secretly very happy about this turn in events.) Kim hopes to continue her education in International Relations/Public Policy and pursue a career in non-profit development and public service. In her spare time, Kim dabbles in Taekwondo and kickboxing.

High School: Another Course to College

College: Brown University

Graduation Year: 2011

Job: Development Assistant, Harvard University

Bottom Line Memory: Sarah made countless calls to Brown’s financial aid office to fight for the best financial aid package for me. It made all the difference! Thank you so, so much, Sarah!

If I could send a care package, I’d fill it with: Ice cream cakes, peach rings, socks, and dryer sheets.

Why I stay involved with Bottom Line: I really believe in Bottom Line’s mission, methods, and its amazing community of students, alumni, staff and supporters.

People would be surprised to learn that I used to: want to be a fire fighter

The BEST part of being a college graduate is: NO HOMEWORK!

The HARDEST part about being a college graduate is: not being in walking distance of all your closest friends.

Join me in supporting Bottom Line by…. Coming to our next event! Help make care packages, plan a fundraiser, meet current students, or make a gift to support our fellow first-generation college students!

Meet May’s spotlight alumna, Sam Louis!

Samantha Louis is a current graduate of Simmons College School of Clinical Social Work (Class of 2013) and has a BS in psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice from Bridgewater State University. She is currently employed part time under the student program at the VA hospital. Bottom Line connected her with this program about 5 years ago and she has been there since. She was born in Haiti and moved to Boston when she was 5 years old. She enjoy dancing and being around her awesome family and friends. Her current plan now is to find a “big girl” job and venture into the real world.

High School: Social Justice Academy

College: Bridgewater State University (undergrad) and Simmons College (masters)

Graduation Year: 2011 and 2013

Bottom Line Memory: Going over college applications, college tours and awesome care packages.

If I could send a care package, I’d fill it with: Hope and a flashlight. A lot of times life happens and things get a little hard and a little dark.  With hope and a flashlight we can see our way through.

Why I stay involved with Bottom Line:  Bottom Line is very important to me- people there have helped me to get where I am now. Before Bottom Line, I never thought of applying to a four-year college. I intended to go to a community college and then see what happened from there. Bottom Line gave me hope.  I love the cause and want to support it in its mission.

People would be surprised to learn that I used to: I used to have no intentions of driving or learning how to do it.

The BEST part of being a college graduate is:  I made new friends from all over the world and of different cultures. I experienced a lot of different things and gained a lot of knowledge.

Join me by supporting Bottom Line by attending volunteering opportunities!

Meet our April Spotlight alumna, Anim Aweh!

Bio: Anim Aweh is currently a graduate student at Salem State University working on her Masters in Social Work, expecting to graduate May 2013. She received her B.S. in Public Health from UMass Amherst.  Her goal is to work as a healthcare professional after graduation, and plans on going back to school for a PhD at some point. She is from Brighton, MA and enjoys shopping and traveling. Her plan is to graduate from school and move to a new city to pursue her career.

High School: Charlestown High School

College: Umass Amherst

Graduation Year: 2011

Job: Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC)

Bottom Line Memory: My counselor and other counselors coming up to Amherst and taking all the BL students to Bertucci’s, and receiving my care packages of course!

If I could send a care package, I’d fill it with: Encouragement

Why I stay involved with Bottom Line: I stay involved with Bottom Line because I’ve realized the significance of the support and motivation that BL provided me during my 4 years and even after college.  BL was a critical part of my success and was there for me during my most stressful times and continued to encourage me throughout.

People would be surprised to learn that I used to: Play basketball-  I started playing in elementary school and even played some intramural basketball in college!

The BEST part of being a college graduate is: The new lenses and insight that I walked away with. I see the world in a different light and view societal issues from a different perspective, which I am grateful for.

The HARDEST part about being a college graduate is: Missing the social atmosphere that college provided.

I give back to Bottom Line because: I think all Bottom Line Alumni should volunteer their time, networks, and or expertise to the program and the students currently being served! It is only right to give back what was given to us.

Boston College Students answering questions

On Saturday, March 16, Bottom Line students and staff came together for Bottom Line’s first ever College Expo!  The event was an opportunity for Bottom Line high school seniors in our Access Program to learn more about the target colleges that Bottom Line works with in our Success Program directly from our college students.  Almost 100 high school (Access) tudents attended the Expo and got to speak with more than 50 Bottom Line college (Success) tudents representing all 20 of our Massachusetts target colleges.  

Although the College Expo was an event catered toward our high school seniors, it also allowed our Success students the opportunity to give back to Bottom Line as volunteers.  The tables at the college fair were staffed by current Bottom Line Success students representing our target colleges.  The Success volunteers answered our Access students’ questions about topics ranging from majors to dorm life and housing to studying abroad and more.  The College Expo was a great opportunity for our Access students to hear more about Bottom Line target schools from other Bottom Line students that were in their shoes just a few short years ago. 

Students from Suffolk University

In addition to the college fair portion of the Expo, Access students had the option of attending two workshops.  The first workshop, led by Access counselors, helped students identify the important factors to consider when deciding which college to attend once they have received all of their acceptance letters.  Access counselors stressed to students the importance of visiting the colleges that have accepted them, if possible, before making their decision. 

In the other workshop, Success counselors explained how Bottom Line’s Success Program works and what students can expect should they choose to attend one of our target colleges and join Bottom Line’s Success program.  This was great for the students who attended from the West End House Boys & Girls Club in Allston who will be joining our Success Direct program.  This is an exciting new initiative for Bottom Line to recruit students from other college access programs “directly” into our Success Program.  Our goal for next year is to recruit 410 first year students from our Boston and Worcester Access programs and 115 Success Direct students from other access programs join our Success program for the 2013-2014 school year.  This workshop was a first step towards reaching our recruitment goal. 

UMass Boston table

The College Expo gave Access and Success students an opportunity to interact with one another and allowed our Access and Success staff to collaborate in the planning and execution of the event.  The College Expo highlights Bottom Line’s core values of relationships and responsibility.  Our students and staff collaborated building relationships across programs, and the students who attended the Expo gained additional knowledge to help them make a responsible college decision this spring!

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— Michaela Kinlock

Success Counselor, Boston MA