Service Learning in Regards to Career Goals

To be frank I really had to ponder awhile about how my service learning experience could impact my future career goals and ambitions. After giving it much thought I realized that community organization can go together hand in hand with what I'm doing now, public health nursing. Through public outreach I feel that in future endeavors I will be able to gain knowledge of community resources which will allow me to pass the information on to my clients who often times depend on such resources just to get by. This type of effort may also help on a more personal note as well.........gaining more self confidence and improving assertive communication which is an essential skill for any profession regardless of his or her occupation.

Skills Learned Through Service Learning

At the beginning of my service learning project I had an interest in politics, current events, etc but didn't really know how to put my interest to work for me or my community for that matter. Because of my partner through this experience, Harley Mikkelson, I'm slowly learning more about grassroots movements and community organization. As I type this, official paperwork is being prepared to facilitate this type of movement specifically catering to Tuscola County. I realize that this is going to take great effort especially personally for me to come out of my shell so-to-speak. It's a work in progress nevertheless. As previously mentioned in past postings, Harley has been an official Green Party candidate for various elected offices over the recent years. He has been encouraging me to join him in this effort citing that there always seems to be a lack of serious candidates in this state at election time. Generally I just assume to keep my personal life just that, personal so needless to say at this point I am politely declining to go so far as to actually run for any type of position, however, having said that, when it comes to assisting him in his efforts I am more than willing to jump in with both feet.

What I have Learned

For what seems like years I've often been upset that resources available in larger cities aren't available in my small town. Through the service learning project I've learned that many of these resources are available, the problem is that many people just don't know about them. While attending the official meeting of the "FlintGreens" a couple of weeks ago, I was able to meet with a couple of individuals who may be able to assist me in professional endeavors at the workplace. So I suppose a good lesson learned would simply be to look around a little closer and one may be able to find what it is he or she needs.