The Beginning:
I knew from a young age I wanted to become someone who would help others. It started from an early age. I was the student that would always volunteer to help the teacher pass out papers, show kids around the school, console other students, etc. I was that kid. At first I wanted to become a veterinarian, a teacher, a doctor, a pediatric surgeon, a pediatrician, a radiologist, and finally a social worker. My interest for social working actually began in early 7th grade when I was enrolled in a program at Otwell Middle school where we were allowed to go to the elementary school and mentor a classroom. It was career day and my class met a social worker. After hearing about her job I knew that is what I had to do. Not wanted, but had to do. It felt right. After the session I stayed back and talked with her. She told me social work was a great career filled with challenges. I then asked her what was the hardest thing about the career and she talked about her experiences and how it can take a toll on your personal emotions. I asked her what was the hardest thing about being a social worker and she explained that although you want to make personal connections and empathize with the people you encounter, you have to maintain a professional attitude and stay objective to the situation and not allow your feelings to get the best of you.
My Research:
It is because of this that I decided to research how will having the ability of staying objective to difficult situations around you as a social worker assure a successful career all while continuing to stay empathetic. Throughout the course of my mentorship I studied and analyzed articles that in some way were able to answer my question. I found that almost every social worker struggles with holding back their emotions and having to stay objective. As a social worker you are required to build a connection with the people you encounter on a daily basis but that connection must stay professional and you need to do your best at setting aside your own personal emotions and thoughts and approaching it in a sensible manner. I found that although it is a challenge it takes practice. It takes time. It's not something you are given rather, it is a skill one must practice in order to accomplish.
Interview:
1. What is your biggest weakness?
My biggest weakness is being so certain of myself and my decisions that sometimes I leave people, their opinions, and their feelings behind.
2. What's the most important skill to have as a leader?
I believe the most important skill to have as a leader is initiative. Anyone can do what they are told or directed, but it takes a leader to decide what needs to be done and implement a plan to accomplish it.
3. What influenced you to become part of a non-profit organization such as the Cumming Women's Center?
Non-profit work is unique because it is driven by belief. I want to know that each day, my work matters and that I am affecting someone's life positively. Though I could excel in many areas of professionalism, the Cumming Women's Center gives me the opportunity to stand by my beliefs; female empowerment, education, pro-life, and love for others through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
4.) Where do you find inspiration to continue to do what you do?
I find inspiration in client stories of how their lives changed because of our center. I am inspired by people like Mother Teresa who cared for the physical and emotional needs of the untouchables. I am mostly inspired by God's love for me as I pour out love on others.
5. What is your ultimate goal at the end of the day?
My goal is to do my work with excellence to the best of my ability in all facets.
6. How do you approach difficult situations?
I approach difficult situations as challenges yet to be overcome. When the difficulty lies with people, I take special care to make sure I affirm and validate them before offering correction.
7. How do you manage your time?
Time management has always come very easy for me. I like to tackle the more brain-powered tasks in the morning and prefer to do the hands-on tasks in the afternoon. I think like Benjamin Franklin who said, "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." I also keep a weekly to-do list with a variety of categories to keep up with phone calls and projects.
8. What goals have you set for the year?
Professionally, I have set goals to use more of my writing and graphic design skills, to better streamline the process for managing Mommy Store so it is volunteer friendly, and to be more considerate of other people's thoughts and opinions. Personally, I am hoping to keep houseplants alive.
9. What do you enjoy the most about the Cumming Women's Center and why?
What I enjoy most about the center is
10. Did you ever imagine you would end up in a non-profit organization?
It's too early in my adult life to decide I've ended up anywhere, but no, I thought I would work in the corporate field when my kids were out of school. I imagined making more money and working in nicer buildings with bigger offices. As my ideas shifted, the things I hoped to accomplish are better served in a non-profit. I find great satisfaction and joy in doing real work every single day.
I knew from a young age I wanted to become someone who would help others. It started from an early age. I was the student that would always volunteer to help the teacher pass out papers, show kids around the school, console other students, etc. I was that kid. At first I wanted to become a veterinarian, a teacher, a doctor, a pediatric surgeon, a pediatrician, a radiologist, and finally a social worker. My interest for social working actually began in early 7th grade when I was enrolled in a program at Otwell Middle school where we were allowed to go to the elementary school and mentor a classroom. It was career day and my class met a social worker. After hearing about her job I knew that is what I had to do. Not wanted, but had to do. It felt right. After the session I stayed back and talked with her. She told me social work was a great career filled with challenges. I then asked her what was the hardest thing about the career and she talked about her experiences and how it can take a toll on your personal emotions. I asked her what was the hardest thing about being a social worker and she explained that although you want to make personal connections and empathize with the people you encounter, you have to maintain a professional attitude and stay objective to the situation and not allow your feelings to get the best of you.
My Research:
It is because of this that I decided to research how will having the ability of staying objective to difficult situations around you as a social worker assure a successful career all while continuing to stay empathetic. Throughout the course of my mentorship I studied and analyzed articles that in some way were able to answer my question. I found that almost every social worker struggles with holding back their emotions and having to stay objective. As a social worker you are required to build a connection with the people you encounter on a daily basis but that connection must stay professional and you need to do your best at setting aside your own personal emotions and thoughts and approaching it in a sensible manner. I found that although it is a challenge it takes practice. It takes time. It's not something you are given rather, it is a skill one must practice in order to accomplish.
Interview:
1. What is your biggest weakness?
My biggest weakness is being so certain of myself and my decisions that sometimes I leave people, their opinions, and their feelings behind.
2. What's the most important skill to have as a leader?
I believe the most important skill to have as a leader is initiative. Anyone can do what they are told or directed, but it takes a leader to decide what needs to be done and implement a plan to accomplish it.
3. What influenced you to become part of a non-profit organization such as the Cumming Women's Center?
Non-profit work is unique because it is driven by belief. I want to know that each day, my work matters and that I am affecting someone's life positively. Though I could excel in many areas of professionalism, the Cumming Women's Center gives me the opportunity to stand by my beliefs; female empowerment, education, pro-life, and love for others through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
4.) Where do you find inspiration to continue to do what you do?
I find inspiration in client stories of how their lives changed because of our center. I am inspired by people like Mother Teresa who cared for the physical and emotional needs of the untouchables. I am mostly inspired by God's love for me as I pour out love on others.
5. What is your ultimate goal at the end of the day?
My goal is to do my work with excellence to the best of my ability in all facets.
6. How do you approach difficult situations?
I approach difficult situations as challenges yet to be overcome. When the difficulty lies with people, I take special care to make sure I affirm and validate them before offering correction.
7. How do you manage your time?
Time management has always come very easy for me. I like to tackle the more brain-powered tasks in the morning and prefer to do the hands-on tasks in the afternoon. I think like Benjamin Franklin who said, "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." I also keep a weekly to-do list with a variety of categories to keep up with phone calls and projects.
8. What goals have you set for the year?
Professionally, I have set goals to use more of my writing and graphic design skills, to better streamline the process for managing Mommy Store so it is volunteer friendly, and to be more considerate of other people's thoughts and opinions. Personally, I am hoping to keep houseplants alive.
9. What do you enjoy the most about the Cumming Women's Center and why?
What I enjoy most about the center is
10. Did you ever imagine you would end up in a non-profit organization?
It's too early in my adult life to decide I've ended up anywhere, but no, I thought I would work in the corporate field when my kids were out of school. I imagined making more money and working in nicer buildings with bigger offices. As my ideas shifted, the things I hoped to accomplish are better served in a non-profit. I find great satisfaction and joy in doing real work every single day.