Writing is a fundamental skill that involves the ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively through the written word. Since studying at Florida Gateway College, I have significantly improved my writing abilities, particularly through my English composition courses. These courses have taught me the importance of structure, coherence, and style in crafting compelling essays and reports. I have learned to articulate my thoughts more precisely and develop stronger arguments. Moving forward, I plan to continue honing my writing skills by engaging in more advanced writing courses and seeking feedback from peers and instructors, ensuring my growth as a proficient and versatile writer.

Problem-solving is a crucial skill that involves identifying issues, analyzing possible solutions, and implementing effective strategies to resolve them. As a care manager, I developed my problem-solving abilities by routing rides and ensuring everything works smoothly for both clients and drivers. This role required me to think on my feet, adapt to unexpected situations, and find creative solutions to meet the needs of everyone involved. My experience taught me to prioritize tasks, manage resources efficiently, and communicate clearly with both clients and drivers. To continue improving, I plan to seek further training in conflict resolution and logistics management, ensuring I remain adept at handling any challenges that arise.

Social understanding is the ability to empathize with others, recognize their emotions, and respond appropriately to their needs. As a dog breeder, I have significantly enhanced my social understanding by constantly interacting with buyers, acknowledging their feelings, and accommodating their specific needs. This role has taught me the importance of active listening, patience, and clear communication to build trust and ensure customer satisfaction. To continue improving this skill, I plan to engage in further training on emotional intelligence and customer relations, ensuring that I can provide even better support and understanding to my clients in the future.

Creativity is the ability to think outside the box, generate original ideas, and bring them to life through various forms of expression. While volunteering at a local event to do face painting, I significantly enhanced my creativity by learning new techniques and applying my artistic skills to bring joy to others. I love art and being creative, and this experience allowed me to explore different designs and styles, adapting to the preferences of each person I painted. To continue improving my creativity, I plan to take more art classes, experiment with new mediums, and participate in more community events where I can donate my talents and further develop my artistic abilities.

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information objectively, evaluate various perspectives, and arrive at well-reasoned conclusions. I significantly developed my critical thinking skills while breeding dogs. In this role, I have had to think quickly in life-or-death situations due to complications with the birth, unexpected issues with buyers, and the specific needs of my dogs. I often had to decide whether I could handle a situation myself or if I needed to seek help. These experiences taught me to approach challenges methodically and make well-informed decisions under pressure. To continue improving my critical thinking skills, I plan to stay updated on best practices in dog breeding, attend workshops, and seek advice from experienced breeders.

Teamwork is the ability to work collaboratively with others towards a common goal, leveraging each individual's strengths to achieve success. I grew significantly in this skill while being on the basketball team at my school. I stayed committed through thick and thin, never giving up even when it was hard. I pushed my teammates and lifted them up when they needed it, fostering a supportive and cohesive team environment. Over my five years in basketball, I learned the true meaning of commitment and the importance of working together. To continue improving my teamwork skills, I plan to participate in more team-based activities, seek leadership roles, and always strive to be a supportive and encouraging team member.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, putting yourself in their shoes to see the world from their perspective. I grew significantly in this skill while being on a mission trip in Costa Rica. I put myself in the shoes of someone else and allowed myself to be humbled. By using the skills I had to help the team I went with, we were able to rebuild a new home for a family who was homeless. This experience taught me the importance of compassion and understanding. To continue improving my empathy, I plan to engage in more community service projects, listen actively to others, and always strive to offer support and kindness where it is needed.