There was a stark difference between this week's speaker and last week's. And no, I'm not talking about age (although there was a pretty big difference there). I'm talking about the difference of experience between Emily Baker and Kay. The latter has been working for a long time, and has learned the tricks of the trade. Emily, on the other hand, is fresh out of college. That being said, I thought the maturity level of Emily was very high. The advice she gave was on a level with the advice that Kay gave. I was very impressed with Emily's public speaking abilities. I guess it's because she is only a few years older than me and her skills were so much better. I cannot imagine being that comfortable speaking in front of a big group in just a couple of years. It's people like her who inspire me. I just think, if she is that young and has already accomplished so much, then so can I. I'm just going to list two things that she said that really stuck out to me:
-get involved with agencies, non-profits, and centers. START NOW! it matters.
I really want to manage my time better so that I can be working somewhere (and getting paid for it) that at the same time is going to be beneficial towards my major. I don't want my job to just be my job. I want to kill two birds with one stone. I haven't figured out exactly what to do yet. I also want to get more involved with some organizations that are related to my major.
-make connections and network
I truly believe getting a job is not only about what you know, but about who you know. That's how I got my first job. I'm going to try and work on this.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
more than oKAY
"The world is waiting for you to do what you are good at" is just one of the many things that Kay Parker said that I was just like, wow, that's good. Kay was not only intelligent, but funny and sweet. And she made me want to go give her a hug.
In regard to what she said about her line of work, the first thing I really liked was the advice she gave us about handling stress. I'm stressed. I don't want to be stressed. Hence, my appreciation for her advice about stress. She said to first be honest with yourself. I've tried that lately. To stop what I'm doing, figure out exactly what's eating at me, and just say "Yes, I'm stressed, but this isn't going to be the end of the world and I can handle it." I also liked what she said about handling your feelings upfront, before they have time to grow and turn into something worse. For example, guilt does not turn to shame if we confront it from the beginning. The third thing I thought was cool that she said in regards to counseling, was that when you are talking to someone who is going through a rough time, interruptions are not allowed. Let them tell their story. It's their time, not yours. Something that we all know, but sometimes forget.
In regard to the advice she gave us concerning careers and what we want out of life, she told us to fill in this statement. "I was born to ____ and I will never have to work another day of my life." I love this; it reminds me of Steve Job's commencement speech. Find a job you love. When you love what you do, it's not work. She greatly encouraged us to figure out what it is we were meant to do. And she compared the journey to trying on shoes. You have to keep trying until you find the right fit. And it doesn't make you a failure if you try the wrong thing. That was good. Sometimes, it seems like the world can be so unforgiving. There is this pressure to figure out exactly where you want to go, when you want to be there, and how you are going to do it. And to do it in the most effiecient way possible. But what happens when you don't have this plan figured out, or you want to entirely rewrite it? Kay pointed out that that was okay, you don't have to get it on the first try.
Kay's advice was very useful, and has definitely influenced me. I really enjoyed listening to her for she was definitely more than okay, she was outstanding.
In regard to what she said about her line of work, the first thing I really liked was the advice she gave us about handling stress. I'm stressed. I don't want to be stressed. Hence, my appreciation for her advice about stress. She said to first be honest with yourself. I've tried that lately. To stop what I'm doing, figure out exactly what's eating at me, and just say "Yes, I'm stressed, but this isn't going to be the end of the world and I can handle it." I also liked what she said about handling your feelings upfront, before they have time to grow and turn into something worse. For example, guilt does not turn to shame if we confront it from the beginning. The third thing I thought was cool that she said in regards to counseling, was that when you are talking to someone who is going through a rough time, interruptions are not allowed. Let them tell their story. It's their time, not yours. Something that we all know, but sometimes forget.
In regard to the advice she gave us concerning careers and what we want out of life, she told us to fill in this statement. "I was born to ____ and I will never have to work another day of my life." I love this; it reminds me of Steve Job's commencement speech. Find a job you love. When you love what you do, it's not work. She greatly encouraged us to figure out what it is we were meant to do. And she compared the journey to trying on shoes. You have to keep trying until you find the right fit. And it doesn't make you a failure if you try the wrong thing. That was good. Sometimes, it seems like the world can be so unforgiving. There is this pressure to figure out exactly where you want to go, when you want to be there, and how you are going to do it. And to do it in the most effiecient way possible. But what happens when you don't have this plan figured out, or you want to entirely rewrite it? Kay pointed out that that was okay, you don't have to get it on the first try.
Kay's advice was very useful, and has definitely influenced me. I really enjoyed listening to her for she was definitely more than okay, she was outstanding.
Monday, September 10, 2012
What's the plan, man?
I'm obsessed with nutrition. Obsessed. I don't know when this came about, or how, but it did. It fascinates me. I love talking about it to people. I don't know that they love it, but that doesn't stop me. Therefore, it goes without saying, that my platform is going to be health. I knew that is what I wanted to focus on automatically. Food and nutrition is pivotal to health, obviously. The fact that there are people out there who do not have access to food (or as what we call it in my nutrition class, people who do not have "food security") is heartbreaking. Adequate food and diet improves health. When health is improved, the quality of life is improved. In my community service hours, I want to get involved with organizations that help people, who would otherwise not have it, gain access to food or help people to become educated about how to improve their health. Now, it is time for the plan, man.
-My church, Killen United Methodist Church, has a food and clothes give-a-way once a month, that is open to the community. The last I heard, we were feeding 80 different families! (I might need to double check that though) I plan to get involved with the actual give-a-ways, which are for a couple of hours on Saturdays, and on the set-up, which takes place the Wednesday night before. The first one I can participate in is actually this week! Hoo-ray!
-I plan to get involved with the Colbert County Caring Center. They offer many different services such as, school supplies, diapers, gas money, utility assistance, and of course, food pantries.
-There are some other service opportunities I am looking into, but haven't got all the details worked out yet. One is at Keller Hospital. When I shadowed this summer, the dietitian told me that they offer diabetes education once a month. If there is any way I can get involved and participate, and not just be in attendance, I plan on doing that. Another opportunity I hope to get involved in is a program for kids who do not have adequate food at home, Backpacks are filled full of food that will last them the weekend so they do not go hungry until they receive food at school again.
I am very excited about the different opportunities I have lined up and can't wait to start serving.
Over and out!
-My church, Killen United Methodist Church, has a food and clothes give-a-way once a month, that is open to the community. The last I heard, we were feeding 80 different families! (I might need to double check that though) I plan to get involved with the actual give-a-ways, which are for a couple of hours on Saturdays, and on the set-up, which takes place the Wednesday night before. The first one I can participate in is actually this week! Hoo-ray!
-I plan to get involved with the Colbert County Caring Center. They offer many different services such as, school supplies, diapers, gas money, utility assistance, and of course, food pantries.
-There are some other service opportunities I am looking into, but haven't got all the details worked out yet. One is at Keller Hospital. When I shadowed this summer, the dietitian told me that they offer diabetes education once a month. If there is any way I can get involved and participate, and not just be in attendance, I plan on doing that. Another opportunity I hope to get involved in is a program for kids who do not have adequate food at home, Backpacks are filled full of food that will last them the weekend so they do not go hungry until they receive food at school again.
I am very excited about the different opportunities I have lined up and can't wait to start serving.
Over and out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)