I feel like I’ve changed so much from where I was a year ago. This year has been really transformational for me, in more ways than one. I’ve worked hard to develop my professional and leadership skills and I’ve already reaped some of the benefits of that. But more than that, I’ve developed more as a person. I’m more independent, happier with myself, and more tolerant of others. This has been a year of seeking peace and I’m one step closer to finding it.

I’m more in-tune with my emotions than I ever have been and that has opened wonderful doors for me. I now understand where others are coming from when they’re upset or need help because I can acknowledge my own emotions and see beyond them. It has made me a better problem-solver and more receptive to those around me; skills that will come in handy later.

The experiences that I chose to be a part of this year (IA Leadership Council, OWL-C, my job as an office assistant, STEP) have better equipped me for the real world. I was intentionally more selective of how I spent my time and it paid off. I now have more practical skills and a better understanding of how various organizations operate differently. I’ll definitely be able to take what I’ve learned from each of these things and use them to my advantage in the future.

Looking back on this last year, I feel more confident in who I am and how I can better serve those around me than I did 12 months ago. I can only hope that I can look back at the same time next year and see the more growth.