Final Reflection

The first and most important thing for me to keep reminding myself of is this: I can be successful. I've had a lot of hiccups and obstacles along my way as far as education and career planning. I was a dedicated student in high school, and remember thinking I had my future much more planned out than the average high school senior. Then I got to college and things started falling apart. Some of my obstacles were self-inflicted based on choices I made, but my biggest obstacles were beyond my control. It can be very discouraging when you're trying to hard to achieve something, pedaling your hardest in a certain direction, and still ending up somewhere else. I can be successful though. Keeping structures and goals will help with that.
I've done quite a bit of soul-searching this past year in order to be more satisfied with my education and career plans. I knew at the beginning of this class the general area I would like to end up in, and while I haven't made any further decisions in that regard, I feel much better prepared and organized to go for those plans. I'm still in the phase of trying to decide between two or three careers, but that's mostly a monetary thing. I know what I would like to do- be a novelist. But since that isn't a guaranteed job, I need to have backup plans, so that's what I'm working on now.
My plan is to continue with the degree I am in, Integrated Studies with emphases in English and History, and find a job with a publishing company. This will get my foot in the door with a publishing company for when I'm ready to be published, and give me insight to how it all works so I can better market my writings. The other idea I'm still toying around with is after getting my Bachelors in IS, whether or not to continue on to get a teaching certificate. I think I would be a great secondary teacher, my biggest hold-up with that is school has already taken me several years longer than I anticipated, I'm ready to just be done. I still have two more years with the degree I'm in, so I will make that decision when I am closer to graduating. And finally, my biggest plan is to write a novel. Well, a novel series. I have all the ideas for my books, just need to find the time outside school and work to get them written.
This class definitely helped me focus on how to make these goals happen. It especially changed my mind about how helpful internships are. Now that is something I definitely want to do before I graduate. I think it will help me gain knowledge and experience, and it would be an extra bonus if I was able to find employment from it. Throughout this class, some of the things I found the most helpful were the values assessment and conversations with professionals.
It was very helpful to me to have the opportunity to reflect on what I want with my life/career. I took some value assessments a few years ago, but I remember answering them based on what I thought other people wanted for me, so the results were hardly accurate. Taking the assessments with my new frame of mind about what I want to do in life, really made a big difference. As far as talking with professionals, I found this surprisingly refreshing. I've finally reached an age or maybe just a confidence level where I'm able to approach people in a professional standing and converse with them without being intimidated. I know even though I may not have their titles, I am just as capable as they are, and one day will be in their place. They earned to be where they are, and so will I.
With my refined focus and resources I have learned in this class, I am excited to follow through with my education and career plans. I know they still may not turn out exactly as I hope, but I am able to find solutions for obstacles that come in my way. I can and will be successful.