Finding My Career

When I was a first-year student in college, I thought I knew what I wanted to do. I was studying chemistry with dreams of going on to pharmacy school. I quickly realized in my first semester that the classes in my major did not fit my skillset and I needed to pivot my plans. At the end of my first year, I switched to a psychology major and fell in love with the field. My classes were much more enjoyable because it was a field that I had an innate draw to and better fit my skillset.

My current career, however, was actually inspired by my involvement as a student. I was heavily involved in student organizations all four years of college and fell in love with creating programs on campus that would make a difference for my peers. As I moved into leadership roles over my college career, I gained more experience working with staff members and garnered more responsibility that allowed me to leave my mark on the campus programs and organizations. I learned that there was a formal career field for Student Affairs and that I could pursue a master's degree to do this full time. I completed my master's in 2023 and have absolutely loved the work that I have gotten to do since beginning this journey!

Enjoying the Arts

I am a big proponent of supporting the arts. I love all things related to films, concerts, museums, musicals, etc. Anytime I travel to a new place, I try to find something arts related to explore while I am there. One of my dreams growing up was to be able to have season tickets to a theater when I was adult. I finally fulfilled this dream while living in Atlanta last year and saw 6 Broadway musicals. 

B.F.F. (Best Furry Friend)

I always had a dog growing up, so I knew that I wanted to get one of my own as soon as I could. I told myself I would wait until I was out of college and financially responsible enough to take care of one. After getting settled into my career for a year, I finally felt secure enough to follow through!

Stitch joined my family in September and it has been the best decision I ever made. He is a one-year-old Goldendoodle who is the perfect mix of energy and a cuddle buddy. He loves meeting new people and coming up to campus to play on the Parade Grounds.

SMART Goals

Specific | Measurable | Attainable | Relevant | Time-Based

Set six (6) total SMART goals for yourself in the following categories:

• Personal Goals: one (1) short-term and one (1) long-term goal. At least 2 sentences.

• Academic Goals: one (1) short-term and one (1) long-term goal. At least 2 sentences.

• Career Goals: one (1) short-term and one (1) long-term goal. At least 2 sentences.

SMART stands for: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. 

Below are some examples of the SMART Goal formatting to help you develop your own goals for this assignment.

Personal Goals

Wellness (short-term): By the end of the fall semester, I will improve my overall wellness by consistently running 4 times per week.

Finance (long-term): Over the course of the next year, I will improve my personal finances by putting $200 per month in my savings account.

Academic Goals

Resource for Continued Education (short-term): By the end of the Fall semester, I will identify one way to stay up-to-date on developments in my field of study.

Apply to PhD Programs (long-term): In the year 2028, I will begin researching PhD programs in my field of interest, and submit all required application materials before the deadlines for the fall 2029 enrollment cycle.

Career Goals

Research Ag Career Opportunities (short-term): Throughout the fall semester, I will thoroughly research career opportunities for each of the eight majors so that I can support students in their career preparation.

Cross-training Experience (long-term): By the end of the year 2026, I will actively seek and engage in at least one opportunity that allow me to engage with other professionals in my field to strengthen my skillset.

Diligent & Observant

I prefer to be hands-on in the work that I do. Rather than learning by listening, I have always preferred to visualize a situation and learn by doing. I find that engaging with an environment helps me retain information better. I tend to be thorough and pay attention to things around me in order to identify the best course of action for a situation. This has been especially useful in my work, as I am able to adapt to the individual needs of students that I support. 

Direct & Honest

My approach to communication tends to be direct. However, I like to find a way to make sure my delivery has a level of sincerity to avoid any sense of conflict or miscommunication. You will learn that it is important to be able to communicate with others in many different ways, as everyone has a preferred style. 

Spontaneity Yet Grounded

Adaptability is the key to success in your career. Having an ability to go with the flow at times can be essential when working with teams or in industries that are prone to change. Being able to adapt to new situations while staying focused is a major skill that helps me in my role.