It was the same thought process almost every morning on my way to work. There I was, a recent college graduate driving to a low-paying position that I was certainly overqualified for. While I knew that the job was temporary, I could not help but think of my former classmates who were embarking upon careers which offered comfortable salaries and benefits. Feelings of inadequacy, fear, and self-doubt would overcome me. Yet, as I would begin to ask myself, “what am I doing with my life,” I would merge onto I-496 in Lansing and the answer would come into view. The Peace Corps billboard read: “Never start a sentence with I should have.” It was this same motto that carried me through a year-long Peace Corps application process and into a world of new experiences.
My undergraduate years at Michigan State prepared me well for service in the Peace Corps. My studies came first, but I took advantage of the perks that a Big Ten university had to offer. I exhibited strong management, networking, and communication skills in my various roles with the Women in Business Students’ Association. I demonstrated strong leadership capability by rising from a general member, to fund raising chair, and then president in three years. I helped coordinate community service projects in East Lansing and the surrounding communities which, in turn, provided me with a greater awareness of the different demographics that exist there. Working in conjunction with local non-governmental organizations (“NGOs”) and other volunteer organizations in the area prepared me for the roles I have played within NGOs in Cameroon. The lasting relationships I made all over the world during my studies abroad show my strong compatibility with others. I came out of each of ...
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...essed with great parents and a stable home life and I would like to offer my services to those who are not so fortunate. I am particularly drawn to Michigan State’s Chance at Childhood Advocacy Clinic program.
My biggest regret from my undergraduate years was that I did not do enough. For the longest time, I believe I was afraid of failure. If I did not think that whatever I was about to do would be perfect, I all too often did nothing at all. I credit my experiences in Cameroon for showing me that the only way to know what you are capable of is, is to try. My willingness to try, to accept criticism, and to learn from my mistakes will be very advantageous during my law school years. As I look towards the future, I cannot help but reflect on that Peace Corps billboard and know that my goal in future endeavors will be never to feel as if I should have done more.
I am a recent graduate of Cornerstone University, with a Bachelor degree in Psychology. Although, my experience is in administrative (Medical), my passion is helping children find loving and caring families. Catholic Charities of West Michigan’s reputation for putting children first and my personal experience, having placed an infant for adoption nearly 28 years ago, would be beneficial to your organization. In addition, to my strong work ethic, impeccable attention to detail, and
Since time began there has always been conflict. Whether it be religious, race oriented, or conflict over land. Conflicts have lead countries and nations to amass armies. While some armies are small, others may be vast in size. No matter the size of the Army they all have one thing in common… their Soldiers. As Non-Commissioned Officers we would be without a profession if we did not take care of, and retain our Soldiers. Through their mishaps and mistakes it is our job to lead them as they will, hopefully, be taking over our position as they climb the ladder to becoming the next great leader we aspire them to become. However, as in life, there are always trials and tribulations that come with life in the Military. We have all had Soldiers with
To some people, it is only noise but to me, it was a whole new world. I can still remember the first time I heard a round whiz past my ear, the cars passing by, or SSG Blue yelling at me to get down. At that moment, I realized that I was not training anymore. I was made aware that everything and everyone were out to kill me. I kept telling myself, “I shouldn’t be here.” Mentally, I can hear my mother in the background crying just as the day she did when she found out I joined the military. My life was not the same nor will it ever be the same. In my first combat tour I learned the importance of life, how to mentally prepare myself for the worst outcomes, and I learned how to be a great leader.
Twenty four hours and a two plane rides were the only obstacles standing in my way…. Oh, and about three-dozen insurgents.
So, seeing Devon pull out his revolver, in addition to the other four guns pointing at me, didn’t erupt too much fear in my heart nor did it convince me to bargain off my hidden, life-saving stash of money. At this point, I’m fed up with life and won’t put up a fight. Guess today’s the day I meet God, who probably won’t be pleased with the account I will give. Glancing to my right, the man at the bar is cupping a glass of whiskey with shaky hands. Melissa, who is standing behind the counter, avoids my eyes and pretends to clean a cup. Just last week, we were laughing about politics over two glasses of Sprite and speaking kindly of her government-working husband. This transition in loyalty is disheartening.
It is not every day you see a three-year-old walking around the park or grocery store clutching the soggy ear of a plush Winnie the Pooh that has been sucked on in one hand, and a photograph of a disabled veteran in the other. Nonetheless, if you were in my neighborhood that is exactly what you would have seen.
As I sat in the boiling hot sun, the heat that had overwhelmed me throughout the day surpassed. I was engulfed by Lu Paul, a native Hawaiian advocate who was telling me the story of how Native Hawaiians loss their rights. “How did my people become a minority in their own land?” he asked me inquisitively. I found myself making many connections with this man’s story and my own. As he answered my questions about inequality in his community, he began to speak of many things that I had witnessed in my life, that I thought only my own culture experienced. “My people need to fight for equal education, language rights, and employment”, he stated firmly. It was in this moment I began to broaden my perspective of inequality and minority rights. This along with the many other field experiences I had during my semester abroad, help shape my desire to attend law school and work both nationally and abroad in civil and human rights.
The best part about life is that we are always given second chances in most things we do, and I am a perfectly good example to prove this statement. I was born and grew up in a small town in Colombia, about three hours away from Cartagena, one of the country’s biggest cities. Life was difficult, especially for a young boy, barely beginning his journey on earth, with very little intelligence of survival in a country that does not offer many resources or paths toward freedom. As most people know, Colombia is known around the world for its coffee and unfortunately, for its guerilla forces that control most of the country’s drug trafficking. The drug trade is one of the country’s only money-making resources. These harsh conditions created an environment making it even harder for me to be able to try to achieve my goal of becoming a successful and educated human being. There were so many factors I would have to overcome in order to attain and achieve my goals and be happy about my way of life.
Camp Patterson Volunteer - I volunteered at Camp Patterson which was a special-needs summer camp for children and adults. I volunteered over 250 hours over the course of 2 summers since the summer of sophomore year. It helped me realize how grateful others can be, despite their circumstances.
We caught up with Amir to discuss what life was like back in Afghanistan and what he’s currently doing now as he’s living in San Francisco.
Taking time to volunteer at the many nonprofit organizations, homeless shelters, advocacy centers, philanthropic fundraisers, local schools and child care facilities in the inner city is not always at the forefront of young people’s minds while navigating through their college experiences. But, with a little push from student organizations, local nonprofits and passionate individuals, volunteerism and community change can start to take a front seat and become not just an opportunity, but also a priority in the lives of young people.
When I was seventeen I nervously traveled about 350 miles from my sleepy little home town of Freedom, Wyoming to the relatively enormous city of Boise, Idaho to go to the Military Entrance Processing Station. This wasn 't the first time I had been this far from home by myself, but it was the first time I was making adult decisions without my parents involvement. When it came time for me to choose my job in the army the counselors presented me with a long list that I qualified for. I got tired of scrolling and reading so I chose the first job that I actually understood. I returned home and excitedly told my parents that I would be an infantry soldier. My dad 's response to this might be considered a little less than heart warming “You dumb ass. Why didn 't you choose
...al initiatives and my goal is to establish an educational center that will focus on disadvantaged youth and their parents. I was the first in my family to attend college and I believe through helping others, they too can become “firsts.”
In the past four years of my life, volunteer work has left an indelible mark on my heart and mind. When I became a volunteer, I had a very vague notion of leadership. As my high school days come to an end, I am left with the feeling that I have finally come into my own shoes, discovering the things that are important to me and those that are not. I have found my personal leadership style, and I now pay attention to the leaders I come across each day. For this reason, volunteering has been both an enlightening and inspiring experience, for I am surrounded by peers, mentors, and the volunteer program director, all of whom are leaders with creative visions of their own.
Volunteering enables a person to develop new skills that he or she would otherwise not have been able to develop. Unlike most other organizations, a charitable organization is happy to give positions to passionate, though inexperienced, individuals who desire to help others and benefit the community. Therefore, an individual with little experience in a field of work can gain meaningful skills that he or she can use in the future. For example, while I volunteered at the hospital this summer, I learned about the daily work lives and professional duties of doctors and nurses. Had I not volunteered, I would not have learned about these things. I was always interested in the medical field, but volunteering at the hospital let me explore my interests and en...