2017-18 Year-in-Review
During my second year at the University of Cincinnati, I worked for the City of Akron as a co-op in their Environmental Division drafting plans for reconstruction of the City’s sewers. Working in a professional setting has given me a valuable experience that will get me ever closer to my goal of assisting in alleviating the dire infrastructure needs the United States faces. Through this experience, I have learned that I need to look past minor mistakes rather than dream up the worst possible outcome that may as well have a one-in-a-thousand chance of actually coming to fruition. Another annoying trait that I learned about myself is that I tended to overestimate the amount of time I had to get ready and commute each morning. By following my advice from last year about finding ways to deal with stress and allotting myself more time in the mornings, I hope to positively impact my productivity by giving my mind fewer outside thoughts on which to concentrate, as opposed to actively buzzing between worries and neglecting the work in front of me.
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As the upcoming year approaches, I wish to tell myself that setbacks are just that; the mind mutates them into insurmountable hurdles that force us to stop and give up rather than climb or find a way around them. While I hope that I will listen to my own advice, it may require more than just typing the words onto my laptop. My parents, despite currently being 250 miles away at this point, have been nothing but supportive and almost certainly will help should push come to shove.
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By continuing to work with Engineers Without Borders and playing in the University of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, I will continue to give to the community and society as a whole. As a member of the orchestra, I would use my gifts and talents to enrich myself through artistic expression and growth and provide the community with an opportunity for free access to cultural enrichment, while through Engineers Without Borders, I will continue to assist at several volunteer sites for Habitat for Humanity and in the design of a park in what was once an empty lot.
Lastly, looking forward, I have set a new goal: to build self-confidence. A lack of it may be the cause of many of my personal issues, such as my tendency to downplay my achievements to keep myself out of the spotlight (while I don’t feel this is an issue, society, and particularly potential employers, may see it as undesirable). To “rectify” this, I am taking a leadership class – now I just have to wait and see if it works.
