Reflective Essay
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Transcript of Reflective Essay
Jessica Morgan
UNIV390
Reflective Essay
3/26/15
1
My role as GreenHouse Learning Community Assistant (LCA) this past semester has
impacted me both personally and professionally, as I have developed a stronger understanding of
my leadership and work style, broadened my network of support, and realized that Student
Affairs is a career path I would like to pursue. In my last semester in this role, I have reflected
more than ever on what it means to be civically responsible and committed, and plan to carry on
conversations surrounding this topic; my understanding of the value of civic engagement will
without a doubt inform the choices I make in the future. As a senior that has taken advantage of
many opportunities and experiences at Loyola, I feel that I have grown into a student that
embodies the mission of the University - “to expand knowledge in the service of humanity
through learning, justice, and faith” - through both personal and professional experiences.
Working for the Department of Residence Life, majoring in Environmental Studies, a discipline
with a heavy focus on social consciousness and responsibility, and engaging with the Loyola and
Chicago community on multiple fronts otherwise has truly shaped my undergraduate experience
and makes me confident that as an alumni and professional I will continue to be grounded in the
values of service, justice, and community that have made my education a transformative one.
Thinking back to when I first started working as the GreenHouse LCA two years ago, the
first year the position was introduced at Loyola, I can remember being excited, overwhelmed,
and not sure of what the position would come to entail. There was not much guidance, my
supervisor did not have a clear picture of what this role looked like or required, and there were
many factors left open-ended. Now in my final semester, it is amazing to me that I can look
back at my experience and know that I played a large role in defining what this position looks
like at Loyola. My being one of the first students to hold the position, and the only student that
was asked to return for a second year, meant that I had the opportunity and responsibility of
mentoring new LCAs and helping to develop the Learning Community program further with a
leadership team, which has been a large focus of mine this year. Looking back, the challenges
that came with stepping into a brand-new position were often overwhelming and required a lot of
creativity and commitment on my part; without these challenges, however, I do not think I could
have grown as much as I have in the past two years.
Jessica Morgan
UNIV390
Reflective Essay
3/26/15
2
In the present semester, I feel that I have grown so much in terms of my ability to reflect
on my experiences and accomplishments and translate those effectively to employers,
supervisors, and even myself. I have found myself fitting the description of the “Competence
Stage” and feeling fulfilled, invested, and confident in the work that I am doing (Frederick and
King, 39). This semester has served as a time of transformation and empowerment for me; I
have developed a leadership style that I feel comfortable with and confident in, and do not
require as much supervision as I once did. I also find myself enjoying and appreciating the LCA
role in a new way (Frederick and King, 333). Similarly, in my process of applying for Graduate
School for Higher Education, as well as seeking professional employment, I have come to realize
myself as a professional and not just as an “intern” or “student worker.” I have gained
confidence in knowing that my supervisors look to me as a “go-to” person and value my work
and opinion. This sense of confidence and empowerment makes the future seem less daunting
and more exciting, and makes exploring professionalism fun.
I also identify with the “Culmination Stage” in that my university experience is wrapping
up, and my time in this position is almost over. The statement made in “The Successful
Internship,” that it is typical to feel “both pride in your achievements and some sadness over the
ending of the experience” is spot on (Frederick and King, 41). I have given so much to this
position and received so much in return, that it is difficult to think about moving forward and
entering a new phase of my life. As a young professional, this position has helped to sharpen my
communication skills, taught me how to effectively collaborate with peers, supervisors, and
outside partners, learn to work through challenge and be more autonomous, and strengthened my
ability to balance multiple commitments and care for myself at the same time. In thinking about
where I see myself in the future, I feel like this position has opened up so many new doors and
opportunities for me. Prior to working as a LCA, I had no interest in pursuing Higher Education
or Student Affairs. Now, I have been accepted to graduate school and offered positions in the
field; it is wild to think about where life can take you and how many options and paths there
really are.
Jessica Morgan
UNIV390
Reflective Essay
3/26/15
3
Thinking forwardly, a large question that has come up for me this year, as is typical of
most graduating seniors, is what my next step is. I identify so much of who I am with being a
student and excelling at school and in an educational environment that I have struggled with the
thought of who I will be when this chapter ends. On one hand, the idea of attending graduate
school is very alluring to me because I know I will thrive in that environment and be able to
balance Masters level coursework with an assistantship. On the other hand, I have a hard time in
(what feels to me like) jumping into Higher Education and leaving behind my environmental
passions. While I have been feeling competent and confident in my job performance this year, I
have struggled internally with wanting to “do it all” while knowing that the capacities I engage in
both of these fields (student affairs and sustainability) with will be changing. While I do not
have everything sorted out yet, I do know that my commitment to community, civic
responsibility, and excellence is unwavering. I know that my commitment to these things shapes
the decisions that I am making for my future and helps to narrow the choices of challenges I
want to pursue.
In connecting with the text, I recognize how my job as LCA has given me “the
opportunity to learn about the public relevance and social obligations of the profession” and
made me question what social obligation means in different capacities, and how I can live out
my obligations in the best way that I can (Frederick and King, 350). In the past month, I have
made the decision to defer enrollment to graduate school and push myself to be challenged in an
environment that is not a university setting. This idea is super scary to me, but also the choice
that I believe I will learn and grow the most from at this point in my life. Choosing to work for a
year in the environmental sector opens up so many questions for me. For me, doing work that is
worthwhile is really important. Accomplishments, self-determination, self-actualization, and
intrinsic rewards are all components of this type of “success” and components that matter a lot to
me in deciding what my next step will be (Frederick and King, 340). Another idea that is salient
to me is the notion of being a “civic professional.” This is where I find myself being challenged
to continue to live out the mission of Loyola; a mission that has honestly served as a guiding
voice in my search for positions and organizations to work for.
Jessica Morgan
UNIV390
Reflective Essay
3/26/15
4
In sum, in reflecting on my experience this past semester as the GreenHouse Learning
Community Assistant, as well as my undergraduate experience as a whole, I have been able to
learn so much about myself, the way I work and what fulfills me, as well as what I want for my
future. The growth I have made personally and professionally as a result of my work experience
has helped to make my future decisions much clearer and has given me the confidence I need to
take on the next chapter in my life. Ultimately, I know I want to be a part of an organization that
engages a community of people in a positive and impactful way, and work in an environment
where I will feel valued and challenged. While I am unsure of what the future holds for me, I
know that my work ethic and ability to connect with people, traits that have developed in my
time as LCA, will guide me and help me to stay afloat.
Works Cited
Sweitzer, H. Frederick, and Mary A. King. The Successful Internship: Personal, Professional,
and Civic Development in Experiential Learning. Fourth Edition. Belmont: Brooks/Cole,
2014. Print.