A year ago from today, I was working in my office at the schools I was serving. Getting closer than 6 feet to other people and the idea of wearing a face mask rarely crossed my mind.  A lot has changed since then. Now I am working from home for most of the week, I am careful to practice social distancing, and I regularly online shop for stylish face masks. As we approach March 13th, the day Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered all K-12 Michigan schools to close, I find myself reflecting on the past year.

​The past 12 months were filled with many surprises and challenges. Despite the hardships, I’ve learned how resilient people are.  I have seen communities come together throughout the challenging year, families and friends finding new and creative ways to connect, and coworkers learning new technology to get their work done. 

Personally, I have learned the importance of being grateful for all of the things and people I have in my life, slowing down, and being more present.

This is my second year as an AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Capital Area College Access Network (CapCAN) in Lansing, Michigan in the Pathways to Employment Program. I am serving at the Wilson Talent Center as a College and Career Adviser. CapCAN’s mission is: “making completion of post-secondary education an achievable reality for all residents of the capital area….. to increase college and career readiness, participation, and completion.”

Over the past few months, I have been busy planning and scheduling virtual visits with colleges, assisting students with their college and Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) applications, hosting virtual office hours, and answering other college and career-related questions. 

Soon I will begin to plan for Decision Day at the Wilson Talent Center! National Decision Day is May 1st and it’s the deadline for seniors to pick their college. The Wilson Talent Center has a tradition of celebrating Decision Day by having the students parade around the building with signs of what they’ll be doing after graduation. Due to COVID restrictions, this tradition will have to be modified in order to follow safe practices. 

I can’t believe how fast this year has gone by and I am incredibly grateful for the memories, the lessons I learned,  and the strong support system that this year has brought me. 

Hello! My name is Ann Roboski and I am a second-year AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Capital Area College Access Network (CapCAN) in Lansing, Michigan in the Pathways to Employment Program. I am serving at the Wilson Talent Center as a College and Career Adviser. CapCAN’s mission is “making completion of post-secondary education an achievable reality for all residents of the capital area… to increase college and career readiness, participation, and completion.”

Last year, I split my time between Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center, while this year I will be spending all of my time at the Wilson Talent Center! The Wilson Talent Center offers career and technical education courses for high school juniors and seniors in the Ingham Intermediate School District area.

The Wilson Talent Center is operating online and in-person to protect individuals and communities and to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It’s been about two weeks since I’ve begun serving in-person at the Wilson Talent Center. I have really enjoyed being back in the building and seeing people again. I am no longer greeted with smiles as I walk down the halls but, crinkling eyes above masks are always a welcomed sight!

Although this is my second year as a College and Career Adviser, the position looks quite a bit different. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have had to change my outreach initiatives with students and the Wilson Talent Center community. I now heavily utilize Google Voice, Google Hangouts, Zoom, social media, and email to provide resources and to connect with students.
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Over the past few weeks, I have been spending my time planning virtual events for the school year, building connections at the career center, assisting students with college applications, and answering other college and career-related questions. I am excited to take on another year at the Wilson Talent Center with a new perspective and a sense of confidence!

 Hello! My name is Ann Roboski and I am a first-year AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Capital Area College Access Network (CapCAN) in Lansing, Michigan. I am serving at Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center as a College and Career Advisor. CapCAN’s mission is, “making completion of post-secondary education an achievable reality for all residents of the capital area….. to increase college and career readiness, participation, and completion.”
 
This past month has kept me quite busy with building connections at my sites, informing students of how I can assist with college applications, filing for FAFSA, scholarships, and frequently telling people, “I am not a high school student.”
 
I am currently planning and coordinating college visits and college fairs for Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center. I am also beginning to plan for the month of October which is College Application Month! I am quite excited about the upcoming events and to see the turnout!
 
Although I grew up in the Lansing area, I hadn’t frequented either of the sites that I now serve at much. Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center are in more rural areas and it’s been quite interesting to drive by farms and fields to get to my sites every day. Although the sites themselves are in similar locations, they are much different from each other. The Wilson Talent Center offers career and technical education courses for high school juniors and seniors in the Ingham Intermediate School District area. Additionally, the Wilson Talent Center has around 440 seniors. In contrast, Dansville High School is a traditional high school and has around 60 seniors. 
 
In the first few weeks at my sites, I was quite nervous, but as time went on and I became more familiar with the schools, staff, students, and my various tasks, I began to gain confidence and a sense of determination with my assignments. I am really enjoying getting to know the staff and students at Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center. There is a great sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere at both sites!