Who Makes Things Happen at Education for Tomorrow Alliance? Meet Monica!
12 People Who Make Things Happen for Kids in Houston
Who makes things happen at Education for Tomorrow Alliance?
Meet Monica Bomkamp Enia!
Education for Tomorrow Alliance
Monica Bomkamp Enia serves as President of Education for Tomorrow Alliance, a nonprofit empowering tomorrow's adults. Monica loves helping young people open their eyes to new possibilities and taking steps toward their desired future. She believes education can help open doors to a variety of options. EfTA's Student Internship Program offers high school students exactly that by providing hands-on experience, as well as a glimpse into a particular career field. Each summer, EfTA partners with about 75 companies of all sizes to pjlace about 100 students in professional internships.
What does your job entail?
Education for Tomorrow Alliance works at the intersection of business and education through the Future Focus, SCI://TECH and Student Internship Programs. We use volunteers to help students think about their career path and options for the future. So in my role, I try to facilitate connections that will make it easy for volunteers to engage with young people. Everything we do is to help plant seeds in students about what is possible for their own lives.
How did you become involved in working with your organization?
I have always worked with nonprofits that support education. I believe that education opens doors, so when I learned more about this organization that offers experiential learning to complement what happens in the classroom, I was intrigued.
What is the most fun part of your job?
I enjoy the aspects of my job where I get to interact with students. I spend more time behind the scenes these days. So visiting students at their internships or doing a Future Focus classroom presentation is a welcome treat where I can see the real impact of our work.
How did you get started in your field of work?
When I was in grad school in New York, I volunteered for a great organization called Minds Matters that paired business professionals with mostly first-generation college-bound students. The students were bright, but didn't necessarily know the steps involved in applying to college. Through that experience I witnessed the transforming power of education and the profound impact volunteers can make. (By the way, the student I mentored is now a Johns Hopkins University alum who published her first book earlier this year.)
What are some of your favorite events at your organization?
Our biggest is of course SCI://TECH, a partnership with the schools which includes 13 STEM-related events that engages thousands of students with the support of volunteers. However, right now I'm looking forward to our second annual Trivia Night fundraiser coming up on August 15. People had a blast last year so we're working on making it bigger and better.
What kind of unusual things have you done in the course of your job there?
Nothing too crazy, but I am always thrilled to hear stories of students who were once interns in our program who were hired on after or even as full time employees after finishing college. It's great to run into a person who 10 years later is living out that dream they had as an intern!
Tell us a little about your life outside of your work?
I've been happily married for 12 years and have two beautiful kids. I enjoy checking out community events and festivals to let my kids experience new things. (So I especially appreciate kidsoutandabout.com!) [Editor's Note: Awww! Thanks, Monica! We love to hear that feedback]
What other interests do you have in the community?
In my last job I worked with kids in foster care, so organizations like Angel Reach that support young people as they age out of care and face a new set of challenges have my support. I also think it is important to teach kids the role they can play in making the world better.
Do you have any new events in the upcoming year?
Starting in September, EfTA will celebrate our 25th anniversary, so check our website (www.efta-us.org) and help us celebrate!
What are some great ways that parents can get kids interested in helping out?
All of our programs run through the schools, so students or parents in Montgomery County can talk to their school counselors about how to apply or participate.
Tell us a few fun facts about yourself:
I've lived in six states and I enjoyed every one for the time I was there. I love sports and played rugby in college. I never advanced anywhere when I was in the science fair...the projects I see students submitting each year a SCI://TECH are leaps and bounds past what I created as a kid. I am grateful to live in such a family friendly community with so many resources and rich opportunities.
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