Plan A, B, C?

"To help others in realizing their authenticity and to value the diversity that the world has to offer" Kate Schmidt 2006

My freshmen year here at North Central I participated in an Emerging Leadership Series. We did self-reflection along with leadership skill building activities over the course of spring term. At the end of it we had to develop mission statement/vision for ourselves. Mine (written above) is what I came up with.

For the most part, I find it pretty accurate. I wrote it before becoming a world relief friendship partner and resident assistant, before traveling to Africa three times, numerous service trips around the states. Strange how things play out and to think I was ready to transfer after my first term freshmen year.

Here I am four years later, planning the next step. Trying to have a game plan for the next phase of my life. Plan A: peace corps (waiting to hear the verdict), Plan B: Teach for America (submitted my application yesterday), and Plan C: well haven't gotten that far.

"Throughout my college career, I have had many encounters with the issues of social justice. I began college as an education major to achieve my childhood dream of becoming a teacher. Through many service projects, my passion broadened from education to social justice issues. It made me consider becoming a social worker or a school counselor. While completing coursework for my sociology major this past term, I was enrolled in Social Class and Race & Ethnicity. Class discussions mainly focused on the divide in classes and the poverty in our country: I soon recognized that education is the key to equality. I believe that if we, as a country, dedicate ourselves to correcting this great injustice, we can make our country better, stronger and more equal, one student at a time. Coming to this realization empowered me to make the decision to give my time, effort and heart to this cause." Kate Schmidt 2009

Regardless, if I do Peace Corps right after graduation I hope one day to be involved in improving education in our country.