Learning and Growing with Reid Maki
Since I started working, the mentor I met is Director of the Child Labor Coalition (CLC), Reid Maki. From the beginning of my internship, Reid has been a great listener and has taken the time to get to know me one on one learning more about my background experience in farmwork, goals and aspirations. In addition, Reid has been supportive with me and understanding of the challenges I have faced growing up. He has committed a lot of his time checking up with me and working one on one to give me constructive feedback for my writing reports, emails, and other projects. I particularly appreciate how he challenges me to ensure I have both an enriching and valuable learning experience. For example, Reid has tasked me with understanding the legislative process, emphasizing how tedious it can be to work on bills as well as doing outreach to get cosponsors to support bills surrounding child labor. Additionally, Reid encourages me to do as much networking as possible and has even connected me with the Campaign to End US Child Labor and other organizations. Through these connections, I have been exposed to new topics such as child marriage and fraud prevention.
What influenced me to name Reid as a mentor is the impressive work he has done during his career and his expertise and advocacy towards child labor bills. Working alongside Reid has really provided me with valuable insights and a new perspective on child labor legislation, particularly in relation to my background experience growing up as a farmworker. Overall, during my time with the CLC and working alongside Ried Maki has helped me better improve my writing skills and gain clarity on my future aspirations. Through his mentorship I have been able to see how my unique background experience can be integrated into my career of interest to support my community.