The first day on my job I felt very nervous. I arrived at my job 10 minutes early and walked in. A sigh of relief went through my mind when I saw the other STEP-UP Achieve interns. I ran into two who said that they’d worked here last year and this workplace is a very friendly environment. Another sigh of relief that I don’t have to worry about mean co-workers!

As this conversation came to an end a woman approached us and directed us into a conference room, where we went over the company’s general policies and regulations. It’s the beginning of a new journey, I thought. After the orientation, our managers came one by one to take us to the departments we were assigned to. When I met my manager Nancy all I thought in my mind was Talk polite and thank her again for the opportunity.

On the way to the leads department, my manager gave me a tour. I was shocked by how much history was a part of Boston Scientific and amazed at how their medical devices save and change people’s lives every day. My manager then gave me a list of objectives that I have to complete for the internship. After she showed me my office cube she introduced me to people in the department. Every last one of them was very polite and nice.

My manager then asked would I like to have lunch with her, and I accepted. She took me to Jimmy John’s, which is my favorite place to eat. After we were seated with our food she asked me questions about myself pertaining to my career choice. I told her I was undecided on my major but, as she was telling me about what she went to school for and why.

A light bulb flashed in my head. I knew in my head what I want to do is to save and change people’s lives, but I don’t want to be a doctor. I came to a conclusion I want to become an engineer. The first couple of weeks I did not have a computer so they instructed me to organize a cube, which was one of my tasks. As time progressed I received my computer and began doing other tasks such as electronic conversions of documents.

I’m glad that STEP-UP Achieve placed me with a wonderful employer. The STEP-UP Achieve training program helped me to know when to be professional and when to be causal on the job. I strongly encourage other youth to take part in this wonderful program – it enhances professional and communication skills.