Introductory Statement

Studying in the Family and Human Services Program at the University of Oregon has provided me multiple opportunities to develop my strengths and discover my attributes.  My social strengths and determination are the two key strengths that continue growing and developing.  Socially, I am learning to communicate more efficiently in a professional setting and I am learning to communicate appropriately to vulnerable populations.  Using social skills to communicate effectively with others around me helps make others feel comfortable and safe.  My determination guided me to where I am today.  I push myself each day to be the best I can be and to learn in any given situation.  I have explored different human services agencies and have found my place in the school environment.  I started my internship my senior year thinking I wanted to work in the general education classroom.  However, I wanted to explore a different part of education and decided to try working in the Life Skills Program.  Although I knew this would be more challenging, my determination pushed me to try something new.  I have learned more than I thought was possible in the five months I have been there so far.  Working in special education is rewarding in many ways and is a positive environment to be apart of.  I bring a sense of humility to the classroom.  I treat each student as an individual and with respect.  I try to avoid making assumptions and have high expectations for the students to do well.  I arrive each day open to learning and work consciously and meticulously because details are important to student success.

Over the last two years, I have interned in three different human service capacities. I interned at a domestic violence agency, Womenspace, interned in a 2^nd grade classroom, and was a youth development intern at the Boys and Girls Club.  In general, these past two years helped me with my time management skills.  I was a full-time student, interned 90 hours each term, and had a part-time job.  In order for me to be my best self in all of these areas I needed to improve my time management.  It was a trial and error process, but I have improved immensely.  Through experience, I developed my career goals.  My experience in the elementary school made me realize that is where I want to work.  I have learned many new skills in the special education setting.  I am continuously trained by the head classroom teacher of the Life Skills Program how to teach students with various disabilities effectively.  Of course, I have not mastered teaching special education, and I’m not sure I ever will, as that is a skill that continually develops.  My experience working with others has taught me about myself.  It has expanded my values and has given me the experience to make me realize I want to make a career out of teaching.  I love waking up in the morning and teaching and I love being there with the students and other teachers.

Throughout my four years studying at the University of Oregon, I have made unique contributions to the FHS program, the University at large, and to our local community.  I have developed and strengthened my leadership skills and ability through internships, group projects, campus organizations, and volunteer experience.  My sophomore year of college I was a University Ambassador.  I was responsible for recruiting new students to our campus by leading campus tours and making individual phone calls.  As an Ambassador, I was selected to go on a recruiting trip to Southern California and present my experience to prospective students and families.  This student job helped me with my public speaking skills and interpersonal skills.  Also during my sophomore year of college, I was elected to be the Founding President of a new sorority on campus.  Although I am no longer affiliated with the Fraternity and Sorority life due to economical and time conflicts, I learned more about myself in a short period of time than I had expected.  My leadership skills and communication skills were crucial in order to succeed in that position.  As the Founding President, there were extra responsibilities and time obligations that helped me improve my time management skills even more in order to succeed in class, at my internship, as an Ambassador, and as Founding President.  One of my favorite experiences during college was my Alternative Spring Break trip to Negril, Jamaica building a kitchen onto a school in a rural community as well as teaching the students.  I learned what it means for people to not have many materialistic possessions but to be focused on life’s natural beauties and the gifts we have been given.  The children were bright and smiling and the teachers are the most dedicated people I have met.  They work every day, all day long, and have yet to be paid by the government in two years.  They do not show up to teach for the money, but they show up because they love their community and love their students.  It was amazing to be apart of the experience and I will always have that experience sharp in my mind.  My time as a student at the UofO and the FHS program provided me the experience I needed to make a difference in my community and to keep pushing myself to be the best person I have the potential of being.