1. When I first came to BYU I was convinced that I wanted to major in Political Science. Then I was convinced that I wanted to do biology, and then special ed, and the list goes on and on. It got to the point that Brandon would ask me, "So what's your major this week?" He was joking, but it was quite true! I was so excited when I got to college that I just couldn't settle on one particular major. Some of the classes I have taken persuaded me one way or another. When I thought that I wanted to do biology I took PDBIO 120, and that class was way too hard for me! That major exposed me to a career path that I learned I did not want to follow. My first semester I took a Career Exploration class, and that was really useful to me. Through taking the different personality tests my eyes were opened to different possibilities. Another favorite class was Intro to International Relations. I was convinced that I wanted to be a diplomat. In the end though, I went with English, which is one of my first loves. :)
2. I giggled a little bit when I heard the myth, "When I find my calling, work will be bliss." That is just not true. Life is hard, even if you are doing something that you love. You can control your surroundings (for the most part) but you cannot control those around you. I think that when you find something you love you will be happy, but life will not be perfect. I think that we can find joy in the hard troubles though. I know that when I accomplish something really difficult, I feel a sense of joy that I can't get from anything else. We can find happiness in hard work.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
President Samuelson
1. I think that it was very appropriate that he told us not to wait to serve until we are less busy, I'm not so sure that will happen any time soon! I was talking to my mom and she told me that while my life right now is very busy and full, it will only become more so when I get married and start my family. Over the weekend I watched with amazement while she filled many responsibilities and roles. I think that in order to serve we need to pray for those opportunities. Being able to work on Redefine Service this year (even though it has been off to four slow starts :) ) has taught me that we all have time to serve, even if it is in small ways. I think that one of the best ways to prepare is to serve right now. If we are in the habit now, then we will be more likely to do so in the long run.
2. I liked the story he shared referring to the lawn mowing. I have felt the same way that he described and have been guilty of doing something myself that I probably should have delegated. Lately I have been trying harder to delegate and my life has become a lot easier since I did that. :) Whenever I think about delegating in leadership I think of when Joseph Smith said, "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves."Once I was sure that my PDs had all the knowledge they needed they were good to go and I became more of a resource. I think that this will carry to future responsibilities. As long as I give them all the training they need, it will all work out.
2. I liked the story he shared referring to the lawn mowing. I have felt the same way that he described and have been guilty of doing something myself that I probably should have delegated. Lately I have been trying harder to delegate and my life has become a lot easier since I did that. :) Whenever I think about delegating in leadership I think of when Joseph Smith said, "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves."Once I was sure that my PDs had all the knowledge they needed they were good to go and I became more of a resource. I think that this will carry to future responsibilities. As long as I give them all the training they need, it will all work out.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Career Fair
On January 25th I had the opportunity to go to the Career Fair. It seemed that most of the job possibilities there were focused on business-oriented majors, so I walked in expecting that I wouldn't really be able to do much. Thankfully, I was wrong. I talked to HELP International and a few other programs that focus on teaching. Since I am going into education, these were interesting prospects to me.
Although I'm not looking for a job at this moment because graduation is still a few years away, this was still a great experience. I am so glad that we were required to update our resumes, because I think that creating a solid resume is a huge selling point. Often that can be the first thing that a potential employer will see, and it needs to be a good first impression. Making a good first impression is another skill that I got to practice at the career fair. I watched the way that different people approached the booth, the way that they addressed the presenter, and also how they presented themselves.
I realized that there are a few aspects of the career fair that I wasn't 100% prepared for. One thing that I think is crucial is your "elevator pitch." This is an important principle whether you are giving your pitch about yourselves or not. I have developed my own pitch when I present each of my programs and also BYUSA as a whole. People don't want to listen to a long speech, and so it is important to be able to present the key points quickly.
Although I'm not looking for a job at this moment because graduation is still a few years away, this was still a great experience. I am so glad that we were required to update our resumes, because I think that creating a solid resume is a huge selling point. Often that can be the first thing that a potential employer will see, and it needs to be a good first impression. Making a good first impression is another skill that I got to practice at the career fair. I watched the way that different people approached the booth, the way that they addressed the presenter, and also how they presented themselves.
I realized that there are a few aspects of the career fair that I wasn't 100% prepared for. One thing that I think is crucial is your "elevator pitch." This is an important principle whether you are giving your pitch about yourselves or not. I have developed my own pitch when I present each of my programs and also BYUSA as a whole. People don't want to listen to a long speech, and so it is important to be able to present the key points quickly.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Dr. Ben Wilson (2/6)
1. Recently I have been reflecting on my experience and I am amazed at how far we all have come since interviewing last March. When I came in I had no idea what this year would hold, but I am so glad that I have had this opportunity. My involvement has helped me develop in several ways. One of the biggest is learning how to delegate. In the past I would try and do too much by myself. This position has given me the opportunity to learn to identify the strengths of each individual and use those strengths to the advantage of the group. There is too much to be done for just one person to do it, and I have also realized that by trying to do it all myself I am robbing those around me of opportunities to grow. By delegating and having my role be more of a mentor than the "do-er" everyone involved has benefitted. Another way in which my involvement has helped my development as a leader was by participating in the 360 survey. This gave me the change to identify my strengths as well as those things that I could improve upon. I would not have been able to attain that information without this course and the survey.
2. I think that it takes courage to make improvements sometimes. It is not always easy to make changes in long-existing programs. One of my struggles last semester was helping one of my program directors to see the need to make changes in a program. I think that sometimes we get so stuck in tradition that we don't realize that things need to change. We need to have the courage to make those hard decisions about keeping programs and we also need the courage to be honest with ourselves. It will not be easy, but those decisions need to be made. I have always been struck by the idea of "sacred funds" and I think that it is our responsibility to make sure these funds are being spent in the best way possible.
2. I think that it takes courage to make improvements sometimes. It is not always easy to make changes in long-existing programs. One of my struggles last semester was helping one of my program directors to see the need to make changes in a program. I think that sometimes we get so stuck in tradition that we don't realize that things need to change. We need to have the courage to make those hard decisions about keeping programs and we also need the courage to be honest with ourselves. It will not be easy, but those decisions need to be made. I have always been struck by the idea of "sacred funds" and I think that it is our responsibility to make sure these funds are being spent in the best way possible.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Dean Cox (1/30)
One of the tips that I liked was "don't fear those in power." I don't necessarily fear people in power, but I do feel intimidated sometimes. The more I think about it, the more silly I realize it is. We are all just volunteers doing our best in our different capacities. In my current role I have learned that it is much more efficient to learn all I can from those in power rather than be intimidated.
Another thing I have learned is that often we don't give ourselves enough credit. I have had program directors thank me for things I have done that I didn't think twice about. And people have done that for me. We need to give ourselves more credit! It's easy to look at other people and get discouraged, but we need to get out of that cycle.
A second tip that I enjoyed was his advice to "sprout deep roots." If we pretend that we are going to be in our current position for a long time then we become more invested. We need to be careful that we aren't always looking to the future so far that we miss the great things that are happening now. Sometimes I struggle with thinking that "I'll be happy when..." and when that event comes I think forward to the next event and then the next one and soon a lot of time has gone by. I was talking to my grandpa and he asked when my school work and other responsibilities would slow down. I found myself thinking ahead all the way to the end of the semester! I told him that I have accepted the fact that school and different responsibilities will be crazy, but that I am just going to embrace the craziness and enjoy. There is no other way to do it without going insane. In my life right now, I have found that there is great value in reflecting. I have been keeping a much more consistent journal lately and I am surprised how much of a difference it has made to write about blessings. It has made me more appreciative of the small things that are going on in my life.
I think that this lesson will carry throughout my life. If we always act like we are going to be where we are for a long time we are more likely to build relationships that will last.
Another thing I have learned is that often we don't give ourselves enough credit. I have had program directors thank me for things I have done that I didn't think twice about. And people have done that for me. We need to give ourselves more credit! It's easy to look at other people and get discouraged, but we need to get out of that cycle.
A second tip that I enjoyed was his advice to "sprout deep roots." If we pretend that we are going to be in our current position for a long time then we become more invested. We need to be careful that we aren't always looking to the future so far that we miss the great things that are happening now. Sometimes I struggle with thinking that "I'll be happy when..." and when that event comes I think forward to the next event and then the next one and soon a lot of time has gone by. I was talking to my grandpa and he asked when my school work and other responsibilities would slow down. I found myself thinking ahead all the way to the end of the semester! I told him that I have accepted the fact that school and different responsibilities will be crazy, but that I am just going to embrace the craziness and enjoy. There is no other way to do it without going insane. In my life right now, I have found that there is great value in reflecting. I have been keeping a much more consistent journal lately and I am surprised how much of a difference it has made to write about blessings. It has made me more appreciative of the small things that are going on in my life.
I think that this lesson will carry throughout my life. If we always act like we are going to be where we are for a long time we are more likely to build relationships that will last.
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