Input
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Using My StrengthsMy five Gallup strengths give an insight of my personality, demeanor, and aspirations in all aspects of my personal, professional, and academic life.
My biggest strength, input, describes me perfectly. I am constantly craving to know more about anything and everything, and I'm appreciative of all types of diversity. I help others understand complex principles and am a database of information for others to use. I also strive to include others' perspectives in the decision-making process, demonstrating my collaborative spirit. Achiever demonstrates my drive and ambition to succeed. I go above and beyond and boast a strong work ethic and endurance. I am an active member of many groups including the Thompson Learning Community and Chi Omega Sorority, which allows me to have a greater impact in the future of these programs. |
My strengths of Intellection and Learner give me a very reflective and introspective mind, and help me consistently improve myself. I use these skills to observe the world and critically think about large-scale issues. Lastly, Discipline helps me to be orderly, consistent, detail-oriented, and attentive. I work in an environment with time-sensitive goals, and this strength enables me to achieve them with quality and speed.
From the very beginning of my life, I have been exposed to an intercultural environment. In response to this presence of diversity, I developed a strong interest in studying languages and speaking with people from other countries. In 2014, I was given the opportunity to participate in the Youth Learners Program with Goethe Institut. I studied abroad for a month and learned about the German language and culture through immersion. I also hosted a foreign exchange student from Stuttgart, Germany. In 2015, I went to a two week, fully immersed Chinese program at UNL called StarTalk and was able to gain insight into the Chinese community in Nebraska. I see myself being able to work with all types of people because I appreciate the diversity around me and I enjoy developing relationships with those who have different experiences than I. |
Appreciating Diversity |
Community Involvement
I actively reach out to people in my community and have developed deeply rooted relationships with organizations in the area. In my academic life, I make sure to participate in all my coursework and express my opinions with my classmates and professors. Professionally, I reach out to potential recruits and spread awareness of organizations I'm in. I'm very connected in the Omaha area and have ties with school districts and organizations across the board. For example, my sorority Chi Omega has linked me with so many sisters (both active members and alumnae) across the country, and has fostered my connection to our philanthropy partner, Make-A-Wish. In all my interactions, I am authentic and genuinely invested in other people and their perspectives.
Living Out My Values
I am so honored to be a member of an institution that holds such high values. Not only does UNO regard academic and personal success as important purposes to live by, but the organizations that I've been involved in have also helped me find others with these same values. My sorority, Chi Omega, has six purposes that have shaped my college experience and outlook on life. Their six purposes are: Friendship, High Standards of Personnel, Sincere Learning and Credible Scholarship, Participation in Campus Activities, Career Development, and Community Service. Additionally, the Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC) at UNO, the governing body of the four National Panhellenic Council recognized sororities on campus, instills values into the women involved in Greek life that I strive to emulate. Here is an excerpt from their 2018 mission statement that I feel resonates with me:
The Collegiate Panhellenic Council will work to foster an environment at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where women feel safe, healthy, and empowered to create positive change and lead productive lives.
Casey as a Leader
Critical and Creative Thinking
In my times as a tutor for Bellevue West High School and as a mentor for NE STEM 4U, I have faced many challenges in trying to help students grasp a variety of subjects and concepts. Multiple difficulties exist when trying to motivate students to learn important lessons. Additionally, it can be difficult for children to comprehend complex concepts, and the frustration causes them to lose motivation. Once motivation becomes absent, students stop paying attention and become distracted.
With the goal of teaching students meaningful lessons, this loss of interest is quite challenging for me. In the classroom, I have found various strategies to try to reel children back in. First, I try to change the style of teaching to see if another way is easier to understand. I personally am a visual learner, but every individual is different and I have become more skilled at appealing to every learning style. Second, I try to engage the students more by letting them lead the class. When the students are the center of the classroom, they tend to participate and remember more, and they have more fun. My role is to facilitate learning, not to force it onto my students through lectures. Once I see positive results, I make sure to reapply these strategies in the future. I tutor a variety of children in terms of age, academic skill, and subject area so I have to meet these diverse needs in personalized ways. Ultimately, this process of appealing to my students in every way I can has led to substantial improvement in my skills as a teacher. I have seen grades raise and more curiosity and engagement from the kids I teach.
Communication
With the world constantly shifting toward technological means of completing tasks, effective electronic communication is becoming a much more vital skill in the workforce. I ensure to keep my e-mail organized in a methodical way so I know which conversations are ongoing and/or important. I respond to inquiries and concerns as soon as I receive them.
As for the content of my electronic communication, I stay as direct and succinct as possible. In terms of responding to e-mails, I read the message carefully and make sure to address all issues presented. I also repeat the questions asked in my response before answering them. Of course, I always proofread to ensure clarity and that correct grammar was used. To the right is an example of an e-mail I sent to staff of The Hope Center for Kids to gain input regarding pertinent volunteer roles. |
Being Environmentally Conscious
My commitment to environmental preservation is demonstrated by my work with Every Bite Counts and No More Empty Pots. Every Bite Counts serves the community by reducing food insecurity for youth in Omaha. I recover catered food from UNO's campus that would otherwise have been wasted and re-distribute it to Youth Emergency Services, who houses homeless children. I also served with No More Empty Pots by promoting a community garden in North Omaha and educating UNO students about eating locally. In my own life, I have become more conscious about saving energy by making sure to do simple things like shut off lights, keep faucets off, and recycling whenever I can.
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