The Beginning of It All

Through these first few weeks of Independent Study and Mentorship, I’ve learned many new skills, digital and professional.

Firstly, creating a LinkedIn and my own digital portfolio has taught me how to develop a professional network, a new way to keep up with professional connections online, and create websites online using Wix. I am extremely excited to keep my LinkedIn and website updated as well as to create more connections with other professionals in the Social Entrepreneurship field! Thus, with the mentioning of developing a professional network, within the past few days, I have been sending some “connect” requests to professionals in the field. Fortunately, I have gotten a couple of professionals to connect back. To me, this is a reminder that patience is key and finding a mass amount of connections is not always easy. However, I do plan on scheduling interviews with them soon to learn more about the Social Entrepreneurship field, hopefully, to also focus on learning the development of nonprofit organizations.

On the other hand, I have improved my professional skills throughout these first few weeks such as public speaking and feeling more confident. Being younger than everyone in my class, it used to make me extremely intimidated. Everyone seemed so bright, talented, and bold. I felt small in ISM for the first couple of weeks, but I have started to make more friends in the class. Therefore, ISM is beginning to be more and more entertaining due to the support of my friends in the class. In my opinion, the ice between me and other classmates began to break after everyone’s first speech, and due to my first opportunity to present myself and my story to the class, it made me feel like I belong a bit more. Thus, I am the utmost excited, now not only to be exploring a field I am passionate about but to explore it with the love and support by my classmates. Through this, it motivates me to connect with more professionals, because maybe they are not as intimidating as I thought after all.

In addition, with One Thread and its progress throughout the first few weeks of school, One Thread, a club I am creating at Liberty High School in which repurposes donated fabrics into quilts for donation, is almost an official club at Liberty High School! With three teachers agreeing to help the One Thread officers begin the club, the last step to an official One Thread is the principal’s signature. I am emailing her soon to schedule a talk with her, introducing to her One Thread and its meaning to Liberty High School. I hope to submit the club form by the end of this week and host One Thread’s first, introduction meeting at the end of next week.

Thus, through the ISM program and its first couple of weeks have taught me many skills yet also reminded me to always stay focused and dedicated. I am overly excited to continue my journey throughout ISM and hope to accomplish more and even more along the way.