As my final post, I thought it would be most appropriate to talk about my experience within the MPA program at ASU. A couple of years ago, I knew that I wanted to get a Master's degree but I was unsure of what program to actually pursue. I had worked for the nonprofit sector for a while at that point and realized that my true passion resided within that sector. After some research, I realized that the MPA was the most appropriate program for myself if I wanted to continue working in the nonprofit sector, and ASU had one of the top 20 programs in the nation. I clearly remember that it was one evening in April 2014 that I was accepted into the MPA program at ASU. I could not wait to begin my journey in Phoenix, Arizona.
The MPA program has been invaluable in allowing me to develop both soft-skills and sound knowledge on aspects of the nonprofit sector that I was not exposed to previously. This includes classes on human resource management, organizational behavior, financial management, nonprofit management, and budgeting. I have also developed stronger interpersonal skills, time management, and communication skills through the MPA. In regards to interpersonal skills, this final semester has been especially helpful as I've participated in three group projects requiring coordination and teamwork. Written communication skills on the other hand have been necessary throughout the program as I drafted essays, reports, and memos for various classes. While verbal communication skills were necessary in the MPA, I believe this particular skill was most needed and therefore developed during my internship.
Overall, I believe the MPA has been an excellent experience and has allowed me to be exactly where I wanted. It was half way through the MPA that I realized that I wanted experience within the CSR field. Even though I do not have a background in sustainability which is often key for CSR roles, several of the knowledge I gained from the MPA was useful in securing an internship and eventually full-time employment.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
The Strengths & Weaknesses of ON Semiconductor
ON Semiconductor has been an incredible company to work at for the last few months and learn about CSR. Perhaps one could argue that a weakness of ON Semiconductor is its lack of a robust CSR program. The company has only published two CSR reports, both of which are very basic in content. Neither of the reports have also been benchmarked according to an external standard. Similarly, ON Semiconductor does not have a corporate giving or volunteer time off program. While each of these factors may be considered weaknesses, they have proven to be very helpful in allowing me to grow.
Since ON Semiconductor does not have a holistic CSR program, I have been responsible in creating much of the program. This includes doing the first GRI report, drafting the next CSR report with added content, launching a corporate giving program in January, and developing a volunteer time off policy. Accordingly, ON Semiconductor has presented me with several opportunities to grow.
A true weakness of ON Semiconductor, from what I have seen in my limited time is perhaps the culture in relation to philanthropy. In the past, ON Semiconductor has not been as active during our annual United Way campaigns. Similarly, programs such as corporate giving and volunteer time off have been resisted as they do not conform with the company's existing culture. I can understand why this is the case: both volunteerism and giving cost a company money. Accordingly, there will always be resistance from individuals who are focused on the financial bottom line. Having said that, however, I do believe things are changing. Hopefully over the years, the culture of the company will transform into one that is actively and willingly engaged within the community as a good corporate citizen.
Since ON Semiconductor does not have a holistic CSR program, I have been responsible in creating much of the program. This includes doing the first GRI report, drafting the next CSR report with added content, launching a corporate giving program in January, and developing a volunteer time off policy. Accordingly, ON Semiconductor has presented me with several opportunities to grow.
A true weakness of ON Semiconductor, from what I have seen in my limited time is perhaps the culture in relation to philanthropy. In the past, ON Semiconductor has not been as active during our annual United Way campaigns. Similarly, programs such as corporate giving and volunteer time off have been resisted as they do not conform with the company's existing culture. I can understand why this is the case: both volunteerism and giving cost a company money. Accordingly, there will always be resistance from individuals who are focused on the financial bottom line. Having said that, however, I do believe things are changing. Hopefully over the years, the culture of the company will transform into one that is actively and willingly engaged within the community as a good corporate citizen.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Mapping my future
For my capstone class this semester, I was required to developed a five to ten year career and learning plan. Since 10 years seemed to far out into the future, I opted to create a five year "map", a portion of which I thought I would share with you:
I've often found it difficult to to clearly determine a roadmap for my professional career. As I have mentioned in my previous posts, I have diverse experience in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. However, much of this experience was a result of chance. Since starting my internship at ON Semiconductor, however, I have realized that my interest does in fact lie in for-profit companies and I have been more deliberate in carving out a space for myself within the private sector while addressing public issues.
I would like to continue developing in the area of corporate social responsibility in Phoenix, AZ. Since May 2015, I have learnt a significant amount about sustainability and human rights issues that are most pertinent to the semiconductor or electronics industry. For example, the sustainability reporting I currently engage in is closely related to the EICC.
In the immediate future, I would like to continue working in a full-time capacity at ON Semiconductor. Fortunately, I will be doing so starting January 2016. This way, I will get to continue working on several of the projects I have already started. I think it would have almost felt wrong if I had left the company before I got to see each of the projects to completion! In the next five years, though, I would be open to the idea of other organizations with robust CSR programs. If I want to remain in Phoenix, AZ, I believe Intel will be the ideal workplace as it is one of the largest electronics companies in Phoenix and has a strong and respectable CSR program.
Until then, however, I look forward to my career at ON Semiconductor and hope that I can contribute to my fullest capacity in order to develop a strong corporate social responsibility program that benefits all of our stakeholders including employees, customers, shareholders, and the community generally.
I've often found it difficult to to clearly determine a roadmap for my professional career. As I have mentioned in my previous posts, I have diverse experience in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. However, much of this experience was a result of chance. Since starting my internship at ON Semiconductor, however, I have realized that my interest does in fact lie in for-profit companies and I have been more deliberate in carving out a space for myself within the private sector while addressing public issues.
I would like to continue developing in the area of corporate social responsibility in Phoenix, AZ. Since May 2015, I have learnt a significant amount about sustainability and human rights issues that are most pertinent to the semiconductor or electronics industry. For example, the sustainability reporting I currently engage in is closely related to the EICC.
In the immediate future, I would like to continue working in a full-time capacity at ON Semiconductor. Fortunately, I will be doing so starting January 2016. This way, I will get to continue working on several of the projects I have already started. I think it would have almost felt wrong if I had left the company before I got to see each of the projects to completion! In the next five years, though, I would be open to the idea of other organizations with robust CSR programs. If I want to remain in Phoenix, AZ, I believe Intel will be the ideal workplace as it is one of the largest electronics companies in Phoenix and has a strong and respectable CSR program.
Until then, however, I look forward to my career at ON Semiconductor and hope that I can contribute to my fullest capacity in order to develop a strong corporate social responsibility program that benefits all of our stakeholders including employees, customers, shareholders, and the community generally.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Career services
After being an intern at ON Semiconductor for almost 6 months, I was finally offered a full time role within a CSR capacity. Due to my goal of securing employment at ON Semiconductor after graduating this semester, I decided to speak to my supervisor directly on any opportunities within the company about two months ago. I thought it would be best to be upfront and let her know that I was about to start applying for jobs but would really appreciate the opportunity to stay at ON Semiconductor. Accordingly, I decided to avoid any career services until I was sure about my prospect at ON Semiconductor.
As of January 25, 2016 I will be the Corporate Social Responsibility Analyst at ON Semiconductor! My main job responsibilities will remain mostly the same with the addition of internal audits. Due to EICC and customer requirements, ON Semiconductor conducts internal audits at all of our manufacturing sites globally to ensure that we are meeting certain standards. While I have not engaged in audits till date, this is one area that I am looking forward to gaining experience in. Along with conducting audits I will also continue working on projects I have already started: the GRI (with 2015 data), the 2016 CSR report, corporate giving, and volunteer time off.
I can say that it has been an incredible relief to securing a job prior to completing to school. I look forward to enjoying a month off after the semester finishes as I plan on traveling to Australia and India!
As of January 25, 2016 I will be the Corporate Social Responsibility Analyst at ON Semiconductor! My main job responsibilities will remain mostly the same with the addition of internal audits. Due to EICC and customer requirements, ON Semiconductor conducts internal audits at all of our manufacturing sites globally to ensure that we are meeting certain standards. While I have not engaged in audits till date, this is one area that I am looking forward to gaining experience in. Along with conducting audits I will also continue working on projects I have already started: the GRI (with 2015 data), the 2016 CSR report, corporate giving, and volunteer time off.
I can say that it has been an incredible relief to securing a job prior to completing to school. I look forward to enjoying a month off after the semester finishes as I plan on traveling to Australia and India!
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Public service
According to economist Milton Friedman, the biggest social responsibility of a corporation is to maximize profit for shareholders. In fact, this was the dominant view among businesses for several decades as they only focused on profit as their bottom line. However, more recently, corporations have started to realize that they do in fact have a role in public service. This role involves social, economic, and environmental issues (in other words, the tipple bottom line).
Environmentally, a business must monitor and eventually reduce the amount of water and electricity consumed. A company must also have an adequate waste management system for both solid and chemical wastes. Such programs have been adopted by ON Semiconductor and are evident in the company's CSR reports.
Along with producing profit, a business must also strive toward social justice in order to secure a healthy and talented workforce. This involves hiring and remunerating individuals according to work-related standards as opposed to gender, race, ethnicity, age, etc. ON Semiconductor is a company that does in fact follow such standards and compensates individuals according to his or her talent.
Socially, ON Semiconductor is working toward establishing more robust philanthropic programs that will allow the company to invest greater time and money within communities. This includes a corporate giving program as well as a volunteer time off policy. The company has also taken a strong stance on conflict minerals, which has posed a significant human rights issue in the DRC and adjacent country. Accordingly, ON Semiconductor strives relentlessly to ensure that there is no trace of conflict minerals throughout the company's supply chain.
Ultimately, while being a corporation, ON Semiconductor is committed to public service by developing sustainable business practices that minimizes businesses's carbon footprint and enhances its social impact within its workforce and community. In that sense, ON Semiconductor is a corporate citizen adhering to several of the tenants followed by public sector organizations that are engaged in public service or urban development.
Environmentally, a business must monitor and eventually reduce the amount of water and electricity consumed. A company must also have an adequate waste management system for both solid and chemical wastes. Such programs have been adopted by ON Semiconductor and are evident in the company's CSR reports.
Along with producing profit, a business must also strive toward social justice in order to secure a healthy and talented workforce. This involves hiring and remunerating individuals according to work-related standards as opposed to gender, race, ethnicity, age, etc. ON Semiconductor is a company that does in fact follow such standards and compensates individuals according to his or her talent.
Socially, ON Semiconductor is working toward establishing more robust philanthropic programs that will allow the company to invest greater time and money within communities. This includes a corporate giving program as well as a volunteer time off policy. The company has also taken a strong stance on conflict minerals, which has posed a significant human rights issue in the DRC and adjacent country. Accordingly, ON Semiconductor strives relentlessly to ensure that there is no trace of conflict minerals throughout the company's supply chain.
Ultimately, while being a corporation, ON Semiconductor is committed to public service by developing sustainable business practices that minimizes businesses's carbon footprint and enhances its social impact within its workforce and community. In that sense, ON Semiconductor is a corporate citizen adhering to several of the tenants followed by public sector organizations that are engaged in public service or urban development.
Arizona's water crises
Although this topic is more related to my coursework within the MPA, Arizona's water crises does have significant implications for residents of Arizona and businesses as well. ON Semiconductor has a goal of reducing water usage year-by-year. Setting and achieving such goals are essential in states such as Arizona that are living in a drought and are at risk of decreased water supplies.
According to the Arizona Department of Water Resources, "the has been a Drought Emergency Declaration in the state of Arizona. If nothing is done, the demand for water is expected to exceed the available supply in the next 25-50 years" (ADWR, 2014). There are several reasons why Arizona is in such a condition, but two reasons that have captured my attention include mismanaged regulatory measures and the price of water. Despite being a desert, Phoenix often lives an "oasis" lifestyle with lush gardens, man made lakes, backyard pools, water fixtures, and hyper-green golf courses. Similarly, the price of water in Arizona is strikingly low compared to other states in the nation. Compared to Boston where the average family of four using 100 gallons per person each day pays $65.47, a family of four in Phoenix using the same amount pays $34.29. In fact, water is so heavily subsidized in Arizona that we are only paying for the treatment and transportation cost rather than the commodity itself. While I understand that this is the case for many cities and states around the United States, I believe Arizona must ensure adequate pricing of water to indicate to consumers the scarcity of the resources.
Ultimately, if no action is taken Arizona may face a similar crisis to that of California. Accordingly, residents and businesses of Arizona must educate themselves on water-conservation methods and adopt lifestyles and operations to ensure that the state does not in fact deplete water levels to a dangerous low.
According to the Arizona Department of Water Resources, "the has been a Drought Emergency Declaration in the state of Arizona. If nothing is done, the demand for water is expected to exceed the available supply in the next 25-50 years" (ADWR, 2014). There are several reasons why Arizona is in such a condition, but two reasons that have captured my attention include mismanaged regulatory measures and the price of water. Despite being a desert, Phoenix often lives an "oasis" lifestyle with lush gardens, man made lakes, backyard pools, water fixtures, and hyper-green golf courses. Similarly, the price of water in Arizona is strikingly low compared to other states in the nation. Compared to Boston where the average family of four using 100 gallons per person each day pays $65.47, a family of four in Phoenix using the same amount pays $34.29. In fact, water is so heavily subsidized in Arizona that we are only paying for the treatment and transportation cost rather than the commodity itself. While I understand that this is the case for many cities and states around the United States, I believe Arizona must ensure adequate pricing of water to indicate to consumers the scarcity of the resources.
Ultimately, if no action is taken Arizona may face a similar crisis to that of California. Accordingly, residents and businesses of Arizona must educate themselves on water-conservation methods and adopt lifestyles and operations to ensure that the state does not in fact deplete water levels to a dangerous low.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Volunteer time off
Volunteering is an integral part of civic life in America. In fact, more and more millennials seek employment opportunities that allow him or her to actively participate within the community. This type of participation is beyond merely providing monetary assistance to charities. Rather, it involves the time and skill necessary to make a change within one's community.
Although ON Semiconductor does not currently have a volunteer time off policy enabling employees to volunteer during the work week and get paid for doing so, the company does have several employees who are active within their local communities. In fact, employees at the Phoenix site regularly volunteer at St. Mary's Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity in order to address basic human needs.
In order to encourage greater volunteerism within the workplace, I have been developing a volunteer time off policy that would be available to all employees globally. The volunteer time off policy would enable employees to volunteer one work day (as the hours constituting one work day may differ between employees in different positions and in different countries) at a charity of their liking while still getting paid. When creating this policy, however, it has been important to determine which activities truly constitute volunteerism and which organizations are considered eligible. For instance, providing free ski lessons while on a ski holiday yourself would not constitute a volunteer activity. Similarly, nor would attending your child PTA. In contrast, tutoring underprivileged children in STEM related topics or engaging in homelessness outreach would.
By creating a robust volunteer time off policy, I aim to ultimately boost employee morale, attract newer talent into the organization, provide existing employees the convenience necessary to volunteer, and enhance ON Semiconductor's corporate social responsibility program.
Although ON Semiconductor does not currently have a volunteer time off policy enabling employees to volunteer during the work week and get paid for doing so, the company does have several employees who are active within their local communities. In fact, employees at the Phoenix site regularly volunteer at St. Mary's Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity in order to address basic human needs.
In order to encourage greater volunteerism within the workplace, I have been developing a volunteer time off policy that would be available to all employees globally. The volunteer time off policy would enable employees to volunteer one work day (as the hours constituting one work day may differ between employees in different positions and in different countries) at a charity of their liking while still getting paid. When creating this policy, however, it has been important to determine which activities truly constitute volunteerism and which organizations are considered eligible. For instance, providing free ski lessons while on a ski holiday yourself would not constitute a volunteer activity. Similarly, nor would attending your child PTA. In contrast, tutoring underprivileged children in STEM related topics or engaging in homelessness outreach would.
By creating a robust volunteer time off policy, I aim to ultimately boost employee morale, attract newer talent into the organization, provide existing employees the convenience necessary to volunteer, and enhance ON Semiconductor's corporate social responsibility program.
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