top of page
johanna, Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County: Advize Career Interview
A career path starting in pharmacy unexpectedly led to a fulfilling career in youth development for Johanna, Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County.
This journey involved teaching, AmeriCorps service, and a master's degree, ultimately culminating in a role focused on grant compliance, staff training, program evaluation, and data analysis to improve the organization's impact.
The work is demanding, requiring exceptional time management, collaboration, and flexibility, but the rewards—supporting communities, empowering young people, and creating a better future—make it deeply meaningful.
The most accessible entry point is as a program leader, leveraging personal passions to connect with youth.
A key lesson learned is the importance of aligning personal values with an organization's mission, requiring patience and self-compassion when navigating systemic challenges.
Success in this field requires commitment, creativity, and an asset-based approach, fostering positive mentorship and a better-connected next generation.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
johanna masis
Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment
Girls Incorporated of Alameda County
U of A, Tucson and UC Santa Barbara
Holy Names University, MA ESL
Humanities
Education
Operations and Project Management
Immigrant, Transfer Student, Student Athlete
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of a Director of Program Quality, Training And Assessment at Girls Incorporated Alameda County
Johanna's career path, beginning with a pharmacy major in college, unexpectedly led to a fulfilling career in out-of-school time programming. After switching majors to religious studies, gaining teaching experience, and pursuing a master's in teaching English as a second language, including a year of AmeriCorps service, Johanna discovered a passion for after-school programs, stating, "afterschool programming just allows so much curiosity and development," ultimately finding "this was my calling."
Main Responsibilities of a Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment at Girls Inc. of Alameda County
Johanna, Director of Program Quality, Training, and Assessment at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County, oversees grant compliance, "because if you don't follow the rules, you cannot be at service," while also leading training initiatives and an evaluation team that provides crucial feedback on program effectiveness, allowing the organization to directly improve its impact on young people. This work is deeply meaningful to Johanna, stemming from past experiences and a commitment to community support.
A Day In The Life Of A Director Of Program Quality Training And Assessment At Girls Inc. Alameda County
A day for the Director of Program Quality, Training, and Assessment at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County involves a mix of collaborations—supporting the development department with data to "tell the story of resilience, pride, and access"—and direct program work, including training staff and ensuring compliance. The position's multifaceted nature means a day might focus solely on training or encompass "every single thing" on the job description.
Most Important Skills For A Program Quality Director At Girls Incorporated Alameda County
Johanna, a Director of Program Quality, Training, and Assessment, emphasizes time management as "the most essential" skill, describing a highly organized approach to her work. Beyond this, the ability to listen, collaborate effectively ("group work never goes away"), and demonstrate flexibility in a demanding, out-of-school time environment are also crucial for success in this role.
Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Program Quality at Girls Incorporated Alameda County
Johanna, Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County, finds the most rewarding aspect of her role is "saving people the time" by sharing expertise and preventing the needless struggles inherent in navigating the unchanging landscape of public education. This commitment stems from a deep understanding of the critical role affordable afterschool programs play in supporting communities, ensuring children are in "a safe place...learning, having fun, [and] being fed," and preventing the detrimental effects of program closures.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Director of Program Quality Training and Assessment at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County
Johanna's biggest challenge as Director of Program Quality, Training, and Assessment is the "interdependence of information gathering," requiring collaboration across all departments, which is hampered when others don't meet deadlines impacting Johanna's ability to complete "submit these things" on time; this highlights the pressure of time management and the difficulty of motivating colleagues to prioritize their tasks.
Favorite Parts of Working in Youth Development as a Program Director
Johanna's passion for the out-of-school time field stems from the ability to "be a voice for those who can't sit at the table," empowering young people and fostering positive mentorship. This involves guiding staff to break from potentially harmful past experiences and instead provide youth with the support and validation they deserve, ultimately aiming to create "a better and better connected" next generation.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Youth Development Industry According To A Program Quality Director At Girls Incorporated Alameda County
To thrive in the youth development industry, a commitment to young people, families, and communities is paramount; it's about "being at service and changing somebody's life," requiring flexibility, creativity, and resourcefulness to overcome challenges like limited resources and unpredictable circumstances. The ability to view challenges through an "asset-based lens," reframing perceived negative traits into strengths, is also crucial for success.
What a Program Director at Girls Inc of Alameda County Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Non-Profit Industry
Johanna, a Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment, learned that "fighting institutions is really hard," and that systemic change within organizations rooted in "white supremacy" and limited access takes far longer than anticipated. This realization led to a shift in their approach, moving from initially feeling angry and frustrated to developing more patience and self-compassion.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Youth Instructors at Girls Inc of Alameda County
The most accessible entry-level role in youth work, according to the Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County, is as a "program leader or instructor," leveraging one's passion to teach skills like skateboarding, martial arts, or robotics. The interviewee emphasizes that "if you're passionate about something and excited... there's a gig out there," highlighting the value of sharing expertise with young people.
Career Lesson From a Program Director at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County
Johanna's most significant career lesson centers on value alignment, emphasizing that career success hinges on "what the end game is for yourself," and finding a role where the organization's mission resonates with their own goals; otherwise, "you're not gonna last." This focus on aligning personal values with organizational mission has been crucial for Johanna's career progression.
College Experiences That Helped a Director of Program Quality Training and Assessment at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County Succeed
Johanna's undergraduate success stemmed from learning to prioritize academics over social distractions, emphasizing the importance of saying "no" to friends in order to focus on studies; this skill, honed through experiences like prioritizing studying over social events, translated into a strong work ethic that proved invaluable in their career.
How Identity Has Influenced a Director of Program Quality, Training and Assessment at Girls Incorporated of Alameda County's Career
The provided interview transcript is unfortunately unreadable due to a connection error. Therefore, no summary regarding Johanna's response to how identity impacted career can be provided.
Advizer Personal Links
bottom of page