Jackie is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of California, San Diego, and an alumna of our Fellows ‘22, Incubator ‘23, and Global Zambia ‘24 programs. She is studying Human Developmental Sciences and plans to specialize in healthy aging. In addition to her studies, Jackie is collaborating with local peers and LearnServe alumni to bring engineering tutorials and educational materials into communities that may not have had the resources before. We had the opportunity to catch up with Jackie in the middle of her busy studies:
What an increasingly relevant field of study you’re pursuing! Did you always have an interest in healthy aging?
I didn’t realize I wanted to specialize in healthy aging until I took a particular course in my freshman year. In one of our classes, various specialists came to speak about their professions, and the topic of spreading Alzheimer’s awareness particularly inspired me. San Diego is also a prominent area for Alzheimer’s research, which also sparked my interest. I think there should be more discussions and information surrounding healthy aging and the actionable steps we can take to maintain our well-being, especially as our communities age.
Your LearnServe journey has been unique in that you joined our programs virtually from California. How did you find out about LearnServe all the way from there?
It was a pretty great coincidence finding LearnServe. In my junior year of high school, I knew I wanted to create some kind of impact in my community. But, I didn’t know where to start or what program existed at the time that could help me. I just knew I wanted to work with other people, and that I’ve always been passionate about providing equal access to education. I wanted to start on that journey, but didn’t know how. I began asking around about people who could help me start a venture or project.
It turned out that my pre-calculus teacher’s daughter’s best friend was in LearnServe. From there, I got LearnServe’s contact information, but didn’t think it would go anywhere. Eventually, I connected with Scott (LearnServe’s CEO), and knew that LearnServe was something I wanted to do. Plus, they had virtual program options that made it possible for me to join from California.
Could you tell us a little bit about your venture in Fellows and Incubator?
My venture in Fellows was called the Passion Project, an initiative encouraging people in my community to explore their diverse interests in their years prior to college. I noticed in my predominantly Asian high school that there were many external expectations that made it difficult for someone looking to select a major or career choice, sometimes keeping them from pursuing what they enjoyed. I wanted to help people not be influenced by pressure, but motivated by passion.
Slowly throughout LearnServe, I talked and collaborated with LearnServe peers in the DMV and local peers in California to evolve that project into what I do now. Our project is essentially introducing engineering tutorials and various educational materials to communities that may not have had access to such resources.
For example, we created a video detailing how to construct a bridge, what marks a strong structure, and how engineering applies to everyday life in an engaging, digestible cartoon for kids. We highlighted everyday values in engineering like teamwork and collaboration; a desire to improve the world around you; and perseverance. These concepts were all integrated into a 10-minute video geared toward younger populations.
My engineering friends from high school and I decided on a popsicle bridge tutorial. We collaborated with a LearnServe alum, Rediate, to bring this project to her hometown in Ethiopia. Rediate had already been providing school supplies to a primary school in her village, and she took some of our educational materials to Hidi Primary School on her recent visit.
What made you decide to continue on into our Incubator and this summer’s Global Zambia learning exchange?
I sort of never had any doubts that I wanted to continue with LearnServe simply because I had learned so much from the Fellows program. I always wanted to create community action, but never knew how. LearnServe provided all those resources and the mindset I needed.
From day one, I was so impressed by how organized everything was and how seen and heard I felt. In the past, when I shared my ideas for ventures to others, they weren’t always well received. LearnServe really encouraged me to take action.
I went into Incubator with the Passion Project venture because I knew that if I continued with LearnServe, they would help me make it happen, keep me on track.
As for Global Zambia, I remember when I first heard that LearnServe did international trips, I thought it was such an incredible opportunity. It was exciting to meet up with the people that you had been working with for so long over Zoom. Global Zambia was always something I wanted to do. I just knew after Incubator that I wanted to see these similarly passionate and driven people in person. Going to Zambia felt like a capstone project that gave me the international perspective on the work I was doing throughout LearnServe and helped me visualize how my ventures could really impact surrounding communities.
How LearnServe shaped or refined your career aspirations?
LearnServe has made me view people and collaboration in a positive light. After my experience with LearnServe, no matter what I do in the future (whether it’s Alzheimer’s research or something else), I know I want to work with people who come from different backgrounds than me. LearnServe taught me the beauty of collaboration, having human-to-human connection, and love for other people’s success. It’s been super meaningful, and I don’t think I would have seen that in the world around me in the same way without LearnServe.
Do you have an example of a mindset you developed in LearnServe that you continue to apply today?
One of the first things that comes to mind is the importance of listening. When creating something with the intention of having impact, it’s important to be someone who doesn’t come in with assumptions. This means coming together as equal collaborators and partners instead of assuming a role as a knight in shining armor. Listening is very important in any interaction you have, and I’ve integrated it into everything I do.
After the Global Zambia trip, you and some other students felt like you had to continue the work you had started in Zambia. Together, you all launched the Community Action Project (CAP) committee to set up a plan to fundraise for Njira Youth Skills Centre and continue making a local impact. Could you speak a little about your role with the CAP?
The CAP’s plan is to fundraise for the Njira Youth Skills Centre community and create products – handcrafted bags – to re-sell here in the U.S. The funds will help expand Njira’s buildings and vocational training programs. I have a role in fundraising and planning and have recently helped create our GoFundMe page and our general mission statement to define and encapsulate who we are as the CAP committee.
I’m also helping to plan what is going to happen in the future. Everyone in CAP just contributes so much to that planning process. I give a lot of credit to my teammates in this project.
What advice would you give to current Fellows?
#1) Stick with it. Trust the process, because there are definitely moments when you are going to go through challenges. You’ll be working around things that you wouldn’t expect to be challenges, and be going through times when not a lot of progress is being made. Despite this, keep your goal and your vision in mind because your purpose is your ultimate motivator to follow-through with a project that betters the community around you.
#2) Perspective wise, think about your venture projects as opportunities to collaborate, especially when you feel overwhelmed with work. It is an opportunity to share your resources and the knowledge you have, a chance to see what you can bring to the table and how to combine it with other people’s strengths. It is really fulfilling to see that you can create change from nothing and share that with those around you. That’s what makes the world go round. Keep chasing that feeling.
Do you have anything else to add on?
LearnServe has changed my life in many more ways than just one. I think that LearnServe is especially important for young people because it not only gives you a platform to make your dreams a reality, but it just teaches you how to be a good human being. The lessons learned here really apply to anything you do. I’m just really really thankful for LearnServe, the Global Zambia trip, and how transformative they were for me as a student and young adult. Also seeing people’s accomplishments and how talented they are throughout this experience pushes me to surround myself with passionate people to this day.
