Reflections
Self-Assessment Results
The results of my Personal Wellness Inventory didn't surprise me because I feel like I know myself pretty well. The area I need to work on the most is Physical Health, which is something I recognize needs improvement. As an ASL interpreter I will need to prioritize my physical health, specifically in my hands, wrists, and arms, so that I can continue doing my job to the best of my ability. The Focus 2 Assessment offered a more in-depth look that surprised me more. For example, I was surprised that many of the careers it generated for me were math/science/technology based, as those are areas I don't really have much of an interest in. Both this assessment and the Focus 2 assessments helped me realize that I'm most passionate about being an ally to marginalized services. This matches with what I will be doing as an ASL interpreter.
Profiles of Learning
The Profiles of Learning include the Communicator, the Problem Solver, the Innovator, and the Community Contributor. These four profiles serve to identify the qualities students can develop during their time at IU Indianapolis. Of the two profiles I looked at - the Communicator and the Community Contributor - the Community Contributor one resonated with me the most. One thing that has helped me develop this profile is the inherent community-building aspect of my major. I have been encouraged to evaluate my own biases, and how those may impact my interpretation. I also feel that my parents have helped me in this aspect by always encouraging me to be open-minded and accepting. This profile connects with my story because I'm passionate about building relationships between different communities and cultures, which naturally requires me to recognize not only cultural differences, but why those differences might exist. Looking at the description of this profile has given me some useful vocabulary that I can incorporate into future elevator pitches or on my resume, which would give my future employers a more well-rounded understanding of my ambitions.
Alumni Night
One thing I learned from Alumni Night was that life after graduation can look different for a lot of different people. This was comforting to hear because a lot of attention tends to focus on the people who are immediately successful, and sometimes you can be made to feel lazy or unskilled if you don't find that success right out the gate. I also liked being able to talk with the alumni about how they still feel uncertain about what their careers might look like, both short-term and long-term. One topic that challenged my thinking was one alumna who talked about staying open to all the possibilities that might come your way. I've always had a tendency to put a lot of pressure on myself to know exactly what I want out of life, and even though I have an idea of what my career might look like, it's reassuring to be reminded that I still have a lot more to learn about myself. Meeting alumni who were recent grads was especially helpful because they remember what it was like to be in my position while also having the real-world experience to talk about what excited them and what disappointed them about their career field.
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