Getting to know Shaun Ellis!
The purpose for my mentor interview was in order to get an idea of how he got to the place he is now. I first asked him what advice would he give to his teenage self about college/ career. He then explained how he really wished he had gotten an internship while in college or high school. Shaun said, “My advice would be to get more experience during college. I wish I would’ve gone through an internship at some point. Try to intern to get some experience at some point.” This really impacted me because it showed me how lucky I am to be attending HTHCV and getting the chance to have an internship. I thought that it was kind of amazing how he went into college going for a marketing mayor, and while in college got a job at a recreation center, and doing that made him realize that he wasn’t into marketing, but into business. This really stood out to me because it was something I hadn’t heard about it that had happened to someone before. I was glad I got to interview Shaun because even though he gave short answers, he was able to show me a lot of things. I also really wanted to know more about his career. I asked him what he thought would happen if all of the events he works hard to make happen in the city of Chula Vista, if the events simply weren’t happening. He responded with a simple, but straight to the point answer, “ Well I think it would make for a boring, boring Chula Vista. I think the recreation department is very valued by this community….” I really expected this really long answer that would make me overthink everything and fight for the events in this city, but I’m glad it wasn’t that. It was sincere and straight to the point. I then asked about his old job at a recreation center, and what that brought up, was one of the biggest events the Montevalle rec. center had. Shaun talked about camping at the park. It really surprised me how more than 400 people attend each year. This made me realize how big our community is. It also made me really glad to be part of this community. This interview really helped me realize how many things are actually going on in my community.