I am taking an active role in becoming more involved in the community. Having grown up overseas to teacher parents, and my experience working at the Peninsula Workforce Development Center, I know how rewarding it can be to teach and see the understanding in someone's eyes when they have a revelation. I have chosen to teach English as a second language at Casa Latina. I feel this is a good way to make a hands on impact while benefiting someone else and gaining a better cultural understanding. I'm glad to be a part of such a unique organization. Here's a video showing some of what they do.
I know the value of public speaking, and I am aware I have room for improvement. That's why I joined Toastmasters. Toastmasters provides a comfortable environment to learn and practice new skills while getting useful feedback.
I've also been volunteering with Bikeworks. This local nonprofit has youth and adult programs that promote bike education and community development. It allows me to use some of my practical mechanical abilities to help teach others and fix up donated bikes for a new home.
I started working on older vehicles later in life, but it's surprising how much I've learned in the process. Working on practical problems is what originally got me interested in engineering, and has benefited me both socially and in a work environment. Having an idea of how things are done gives me an ability to relate to others, and identify solutions I may not have previously. Working with my hands and getting covered in dirt is satisfying, it proves I've done something! This is a link to images of some of my projects.
These are some of my welds from welding class
Horrizontal Weld
Overhead Weld
Vertical Weld
Horrizontal Weld
Overhead Weld
Vertical Weld