Career Goals: Improving Native Hawaiian Community

Going into college at Ohio State my intentions are to have a career in public service. Through multiple internships thus far I have found a passion in serving for people. Growing up I have always felt the need to make an impact and give back to the community. Eventually, I hope to represent my community, the people of it, and those who are in need of representation. No matter what career path I choose, I hope to leave a legacy behind that will help the greater good.

There is a majority of university students worldwide who have something in common: they have no idea what they will do after they graduate. Some students may have several ideas came out, but they never make them come true. There are plenty of people who have difficulty to know what they are passionate in, and even they can do but most never have the extraordinary drive necessary to go for their dreams. At this difficult time, there is a book walked to me, “Major in Success” written by Patrick Combs, which is a book that is to help people find their true dream job and become successful, and also it helped me find the true purpose of studying in university.

My path to becoming a successful higher education administrator started similar to most individuals working in student services but took a dramatic turn which could have led me away from higher education forever. While working towards my undergraduate degree, I worked for residence services, a role that often leads to a career in higher education and created a natural path for me to explore. When it came time for me to decide on a master’s degree I viewed a degree in higher education as a given fallback option, the safe route should I not be able to figure out what I truly wanted. While I knew I enjoyed working with students, I did not fully understand why and knew this degree would grant me the time to figure out what I did want. I struggled to decide on a program so I applied to a higher education program and was not admitted. My “safe” route was gone and I was surprised because I felt as though I fit what a higher education profession was since I had the background and knew what others in higher education did. At the time what I did not realize is I did not have a passion for working with students and I have learned a passion for working with students is essential to making you a successful professional in higher education.

One of my many goals in life, since I was younger, was to major in a profession where I can change the world and make it a better place. I want to help people and positively impact their lives. This is when I decided to major in occupational therapy and focus the profession towards youth. Hopefully, I will  be able to

If you were to walk around a college campus and randomly ask students what they were going to do with their lives you would most likely be answered with tears, confused looks, and some near breakdowns. Luckily for me I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to become an Occupational Therapist.

As a young child I remember being asked the question: “what do you want to be when you grow up.” While I struggled with the answer for many years, in the course of deep reflection I found that I knew two truths about myself: I loved education, and I gained fulfillment through helping others. Developing and learning in the course of my four years at Loyola University Chicago, I discovered a passion to pursue a career in higher education.

After graduation, I committed myself to learning new things and more importantly to try things that intimidated and frightened me. While doing so, I searched for and found a way to make a change in the lives of those who needed help the most. I became a career advisor for one of Washington D.C’s largest workforce development projects. I was tasked with the responsibility of teaching DC’s welfare population the essential skills needed to progress in life, and succeed in the workforce. Having overcame being a learning disabled student, and traumatic brain injury I was

“What do you want to do with your life?”. In my senior year, I recall being asked that precise question by each person that I encountered: my family, teachers, strangers, and even myself. I would answer with a vague mention of my hope to attend college. However, inside I was clueless of exactly what I aspired to achieve in my professional life, and I was terrified at that fact.

My experiences at the University of Houston have greatly shaped my personal identity. I realized that my strongest attributes revolve around working with and mentoring others, including those with backgrounds and experiences different than my own. My role as a Resident Advisor was meaningful because I had a chance to work with students of different majors, classification, and ethnicity. I helped them feel comfortable in their living situation and be involved on campus. Adjusting to campus life is a difficult transition, so I became their support system. I challenged myself to form connections with each resident by finding common interests, connecting to campus resources, and educating with floor programs. This experience taught me to be more

As part of my networking, there are some high school classmates who I am in constant contact with. We all went to college and have our own careers in different fields. One of these friends allowed me to live with her for my first year out of college. Four of us played volleyball together. They are from Waianae, Kaneohe, and Waimanalo and they?re Hawaiian, Portuguese, and Japanese. Over the years, we realized we get our strength from our diversity. When we have a

My life has been an ongoing stuggle, but my hard work, determination, and enthusiasm for my education have enabled me to pursure my dreams. My academic plans are to major in pre-occupational therapy. After graduating and completing the prerequisite, I plan to obtain a license in Occupational Therapy by attending OT School. Success does not come from a pay check. For me, helping and assisting others acheive their goals is the purest form of success. I want to travel and eventually settle down in my hometown. My overall career goal is to give back to the community that shaped me into the person I am. I am a hardworking-dedicated student, who focuses on my work, yet I have always enjoyed being involved in extracirricular activities. As you can see from my application, I enjoy sports and clubs. In the following year, I plan to get deeper involved

A critical moment during my undergraduate career is when I came to the realization that it is alright for me not to know what to do with my future. I realized that I was doing the right thing by furthering my education so that once I finally did know what career I wanted to pursue I would then have a degree to help me stand out. Once more, Dr. Reed convincing me to pursue a degree in Communication is one of the best pieces of advice I acquired during my undergraduate career, if not ever. I most likely would not have the confidence I currently have in obtaining a degree that I have no idea what I am going to with once I graduate.

My personal experience as an undergraduate has shaped and shifted my career path and interests as it does for some traditional undergraduates, but for me it was not particular class or passionate professor that inspired my new found interest, but rather, my experience outside the classroom. My interaction with the staff at Arizona State University and my involvement as a student leader has had a profound influence on my college experience and has driven me to pursue a career in higher education.

Throughout my past experiences, I have developed leadership and organizational skills, and have been able to multitask, motivate, and excel in varied settings. Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity as an undergraduate has reinforced the importance of communication and working as a team player. Instructing AHA sponsored BLS course for nearly two years has instilled in me a great sense of responsibility, organization, and effective leadership skills. Finally, organizing and participating in health fairs as a member of the American Medical Student Association enabled me to create awareness and educate patients on different disease states, and confirmed to me how much I enjoy playing an active role in the community.

Currently, there are many types of goals I have for myself that are important to my career. Of the first, I want to stay here at University of Saint Francis and get my Bachelors in Science of Nursing. I’ve transferred to and from many colleges since being out of high school and I think I’ve finally found my home at USF. This degree would help me obtain a job that is something I enjoy doing rather than something I’m forced to do. Secondly, I would love to be on the Dean’s List every semester. I’m not quite sure how this fits in with my career other than it would be something I can say I did while getting my degree. Lastly, I plan on sticking with my job at the nursing home in hopes that someday I can use that as resume builder and gain extra knowledge in things I wouldn’t normally be able to access in a classroom. Who knows, this might lead to further advancement and even promotion!