Cora: Welcome back to the Transfer Talks podcast. My name is Cora Brown and I am a Transfer Jack Peer Mentor, Joining me today is also another fellow Transfer Jack Peer Mentor, Lily.

Lily: Hi, I'm Lily.

Cora: Hi, Lily. Well, thank you so much for coming on today. 

Lily: Of course.

Cora: First things first, I want to ask you, so why did you want to become a Transfer Jack Peer Mentor?

Lily: You know, it was really simple, Cora. I'll be honest. I had a mentor when I came here. I'm from out-of-state. I'm from California, actually. And coming out here, I knew no one. I'd been to Arizona once in my life before and it was for like maybe a week, max. So I know absolutely nothing about the state, nobody here, no one in my major. So my mentor was really helpful. She was my letter of rec for this job, actually. And I think she was really good at helping me kind of like get acclimated. And that's how I joined a lot of the clubs I'm in now and how and why I'm so like involved at NAU.

Cora: That is so awesome. I also, being an out-of-state student, was not really a transfer student. I wouldn't, I wasn't counted as a transfer student. I did dual enrollment and coming to Arizona was like the first time I came to Arizona was the first time I was moving into the dorms. And I get the feeling of like not having a lot of people. And it was really good to hear that you had your Transfer Jack Peer Mentor there for you. I was supposed to get a peer mentor, but I did not or got any contact from them. So... 

Lily: Ohh no, I'm sorry. 

Cora: It's okay. I learned to figure it out on my own, but sometimes I kind of like wish I had that experience to get more involved because now I'm too timid to do it. 

Lily: Valid.

Cora: Yeah. So what is your feelings on being a transfer student?

Lily: You know, when I was in high school, it was literally like the worst thing in my head because I was like, oh my God, I'd rather not go to community college because, you know, like just all the stigma around it. But I'm going to be honest, I'm really glad I did because not only am I like $30,000 less in debt than half my co, or like not even coworkers, but like my classmates. It's also just, I feel like I had a chance to mature a lot like in an easier way. And I didn't kind of get thrown into life. I mean, I still did, but in like a different way. But I had the ability to kind of explore life and explore all my options before deciding college and deciding like it for sure was my choice before I realized, oh, this isn't for me and dropping out and spending thousands of dollars.

Cora: I think that's like a really good way to do that. Especially like just with me coming out of straight-up high school and going straight to college. There's a part of me that kind of like had those doubts of, oh, should I even be going to college? Should I be just joining the workforce? But having you to like test it out and kind of like decide this is something I want to do or continue or do something different. That's, that's really nice.

Lily: Yeah, no, I think that as much as it kind of sucks because I feel like I'm kind of behind compared to a lot of like my peers here and also just my friends back home. Just because of my community college time, because I was one of the few ones that are all my friends that didn't go directly into college. I feel a little behind, I'll be honest, but I feel like it was worth that in the end though, because if I wasn't behind, I wouldn't have made my decision to come here. I probably would have ended up in California somewhere, not even liking it. So it could be worse. 

Cora: It could be worse. 

Lily: Could be worse. 

Cora: Could be worse. Okay. So tell us your experience. What was it like at your previous community college? 

Lily: I'm going to be honest, it was all online. Pre COVID too. It was over like in the Midwest. It was free. My dad's union paid for it. So it's free. I was the youngest person in every single class. I only knew that because we did discussion boards and people were like, yes, here's my grandkids. Here's my kids. And I was like, here's my cat when I was like 18. But it was really enjoyable so far. And then I took some at my local community college. Both were online too because it was just like COVID essentially. So I never really had a college experience. It was just kind of me, asynchronous, like doing homework and uh yeah, doing homework and somehow passing. 

Cora: I bet that also like took a mental toll on you. 

Lily: Yeah, especially because I was working full time too while I was doing those asynchronous classes. It just felt like all I would do is work, work, work and then maybe see my boyfriend at the time. And that's about it. 

Cora: I, you know, the only time I did like online school was my freshman year of college and my senior year of high school. And I know that took a very mental toll on me. And I wasn't working a job. I was just staying at home with my parents. My parents were driving me nuts, but I feel like everyone's parents were driving them nuts. 

Lily: Yeah, that was a weird time just for everyone. 

Cora: I think so, yeah, definitely on that one. So if you can go back and change anything about your transition, is there anything you would change?

Lily: Yes, and it's one minor detail. And it's no one's fault, but my own. I think I should have got a transfer orientation. I did not. That year it was kind of weird because of COVID. It was 2021. So like there wasn't really any orientation, essentially. I think there was like online, but I don't remember hearing anything about it. And then I remember coming here and getting this job and hearing about it. And I was like, there's an orientation? I feel like that would have saved me a lot because I kind of ended up just, you know, playing around and figuring out random stuff. But my mentor was really helpful, but a lot of it was kind of, you know, you got to figure it out.

Cora: I wish that I knew like a lot of stuff going on on campus. Like I didn't know a lot of things until I got this job. 

Lily: Yeah, I agree. 

Cora: I didn't know any of the events or the different type of like resources out there. I felt like it wasn't really talked much, especially with like professors, like even my own degree course plan, like with being a Business Economics student, they didn't talk about the business professional program, had to figure that one out on my own.

Lily: See, that's why I love my major with Social Work is because I knew most of those existed already because I've had to write papers about community resources or NAU resources. So I already kind of knew about them. So this job was just more of like a practicing realm for me and my knowledge, I guess. And I always liked learning something new. So it was always nice to know that people do care about it.

Cora: Yeah, that's still awesome. And also to like understand and share that experience is very important, especially with your current mentees.

Lily: Yes, I love all of them. They're all so sweet. They're so adorable.

Cora: So what do you wish that people understood about the transfer experience?

Lily: I wish people would understand that it's no one, it doesn't make someone's education less because of where they, where they've been before. I mean, yeah, it's not like going to Harvard for four years, whatever, but it's nothing less. It's, you're still going to school. It's college is college, you know, it's still that degree at the end of the day. And no matter where you receive your degree from, as long as it's accredited, of course, but you know, but it doesn't matter where you get your degree from. Some people have no other choice. And some people that's their choice. And people should respect that. 

Cora: Another thing I want to add on is it doesn't matter about how long it took you to get it too. 

Lily: No. You completing it is a big thing within itself, no matter how long it takes you. That shows a lot of drive and a lot of passion, especially if you're working full-time and in school I'm not going to expect someone to do that in four years like, or if you have children. No, absolutely not.

Cora: I completely agree. Speaking on my own personal experience. My older brother, it took him five years to get his associates. And then he did another three years to get his bachelor's and had only like one semester left for classes and then stopped. And he felt ashamed that it took him that long to get his degree. And my family and I had like really show his eyes like no one like..

Liky: No one cares. 

Cora: No one cares how long it took.

Lily: If you finish it, you finishing it is enough. 

Cora: You got something.

Lily: No, finishing it says a lot or even just working towards it says a lot.

Cora: Absolutely.

Lily: Not giving up.

Cora: Absolutely. College is hard, it's not easy.

Lily: That is very true. 

Cora: It's not easy.

Cora: So how has being a mentor to your transfer students expect, affect your experience as a transfer student?

Lily: That's an interesting question. I'm going to be honest. I feel that it's opened my eyes to other people's stories and experiences just because I only know my experience. I feel like I've learned a lot about the state of Arizona very, very quickly. I learned a lot. I still don't know anything about it, but I know more. So now when people are like, oh yeah, I'm from here. I'm like, okay, now I kind of know where that is instead of being like, oh yeah, I don't know where that is. But it's nice to hear other people's perspectives kind of where they're coming from, different cultures, different backgrounds, any sort, so.

Cora: Yeah. My favorite thing was living about from Arizona is like, oh yeah, my hometown comes the Valley and I was like, the Valley?

Lily: I said that to my family back in California and they're like, you mean Silicon Valley? And I was like, no, no Phoenix. 

Cora: See, and in my family, we think of like Sun Valley, which is outside of Reno. So I think everyone has like different terms.

Lily: Different terms for the Valley, I know. I have to like clarify that when I call my family. 

Cora: No, I know. It's just the like the little things in Arizona. 

Lily: It's so funny. 

Cora: So when are you planning on graduating?

Lily: Spring 2024. Whoo!

Cora: Are you excited? 

Lily: Yeah, I mean, I'm going to BSW. So I feel like that's an excitement in itself to go be a social worker one day.

Cora: Yeah. That's so amazing. And especially with, you know, with our current job, it gives you experience.

Lily: Definitely. I feel like this is like a much more casual way into Social Work. But I really enjoy it though. And it's kind of solidified why I did Social Work, like doing this kind of stuff plus everything else I do. I was kind of like, yeah, I'm in the right place. I think I am.

Cora: For me, I just wanted to get a better understanding of like how to talk to people and kind of like help manage people a little bit.

Lily: No, that will be helpful for what you want to do also.

Cora: Yeah. So what do you like about campus? 

Lily: I like that there's like seasons here, but I do not like snow. I'm tired of the snow. I'm sorry to everyone listening that loves to know, but I'm over it. But I'm like, I like it because it's not deathly hot. And I also like it because like the Fall is gorgeous here. It's like orange and yellow, super pretty. And then there's always like kind of something going on, like in some way or another, like even if you don't know, there is something going on, which always trips me out for some reason, because I'm like, oh, it's so quiet. But somewhere in some, some, some, something's going on, whether it's downtown or on campus or your friend's house.

Cora: It's been really sunny today and I get like a nice cold breeze on me and oh, it finally feels warm and not like freezing.

Lily: It's going to snow next week.

Cora: No more snow. I'm over it.

Lily: Sorry, President Cruz Rivera, please stop the snow. 

Cora: Please, please sir, please.

Lily: Please sir, stop the snow.

Cora: Okay, so what was your favorite transfer event that you've been to or worked?

Lily: You know, I didn't go to any one I was a mentee because, I know funny I work here now, because I was like so closed off that I legitimately only had one friend my entire first semester here. And then I joined the honor society I'm in. Shoutout to Blue Key. And then that's when like I finally like went out and did stuff. But I didn't go to anything. I don't think I did. I really liked our college night for SBS. Even though it wasn't huge, it was really sweet to meet a bunch of other people that were in like the same discipline or like the same area of discipline that I am in. I mean, Social Work is a lot different than like Parks and Rec and all the other ones in SBS. But it was nice to meet other people that are interested in something similar, essentially,

Cora: Having that common interest.

Lily: Yeah, definitely.

Cora: So what has been your favorite memory at NAU so far?

Lily: At NAU? That's hard. Because there's a lot of little things that are like really cool. But then there's like, there's nothing that's big that like stands out, you know what I mean? It's just a lot of like little things. Oh, I think it was actually, it was me getting on the Dean's list my first semester here. 

Cora: Ohhh!

Lily: I think that was, that was a big one. And that and then getting into my major. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but you have to apply to the Social Work major. You have to have references. You have to write like essay questions on why. So getting that. Oh, I also got an interview with DCS. I didn't get the job with them, but that was so crazy, though, to go sit with like someone that literally works for the government at the age of 20. 

Cora: Yeah.

Lily: That was crazy.

Cora: That's amazing, Lily. 

Lily: Yeah.

Cora: Well, since you are graduating, do you have any plans after graduation?

Lily: I still have another year, which is good. Thank God. But I think I'm going to go for the advanced standing master's in social work. So I'll be like a year and a year and a half. And then I'll be able to work for the government.

Cora: Want to do state or local?

Lily: I'm thinking of doing a nationwide thing more like the Veterans Affairs or Veterans Administration kind of thing to work with vets, or I want to stay with Flagstaff Shelter Services. So I'm not sure yet, kind of wherever I get put.

Cora: How has that piqued your interest?

Lily: Like the whole Veterans Affairs?

Cora: Mhm.

Lily: So my brothers in the military, my grandfather was, a lot of my buddies are, my ex-boyfriend. A lot of people I know. Yeah. A lot of people I know are in the military. And I feel like I don't know. Like I just see how much they get put through and I see how much the government does not care or they do not care enough with all the rates of suicide and everything. So I feel like that's a population that needs it the most. And with the homeless individuals and like those facing homelessness, those are mostly veterans, especially like a lot of the older men are Vietnam vets or Korea vets or some Iraq vets too.

Cora: Oh.

Lily: Yeah. It's tough.

Cora: It's heartbreaking here. I mean, my brother is a Marine and he did a few tours and around. 

Lily: They don't get enough support. They really don't.

Cora: Yeah, he came back and had some issues and had to call my mom and it was like, I need someone to stop me. Like I need help. And that was a big enough jump for him to make that comment.  

Lily: I'm glad that he asked for help though. That's a big deal. 

Cora: But he's no longer going to like the doctors that are part of the military. He's actually going to a specialist outside.

Lily: Okay. That's good. I'm glad he's getting the help that he deserves and needs.

Cora: Yeah. Well, thank you, Lily, for joining us today. We appreciate you taking your time and sharing your story with us and your thoughts and your ideas.

Lily: Yeah, of course.

Cora: I just want to make a comment that I love working with you and thank you so much.

Lily: Thank you, Cora. I appreciate it.