Finalizing a Decision

Well, I'm positive that I found the most suited career for me! After taking many surveys and scanning through dozens of college websites, finding my career choice has been the most rewarding. The end of my research led me to the answer of the popular question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" My answer? I want to be a speech-language pathologist. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Speech-language pathologists, sometimes called speech therapists, assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients." An SLP (speech-language pathologist) is the result of combining a teacher, a therapist, and a doctor to help patients reconstruct their lives, essentially. There are several reasons why I want to be an SLP. First of all, my main career goal was always to help people, and being an SLP could provide one-on-one assistance that would allow me to help others in need. I feel as if that is a more direct way to help others, instead of designing billboards or planning out commercials (something I was hardly interested in before). Secondly, SLPs need to become familiar with sign language and deaf culture, since many of their patients are unable to hear or clearly communicate. I have had a growing interest in American Sign Language for a while now, and I have recently chosen to take classes at West Valley to enhance my signing abilities this summer. I am intrigued by deaf culture and I believe that immersing myself into it will broaden my perspective on a uniquely common lifestyle. Lastly, I think that this is somewhat of an unpopular career choice, and the need for speech-language pathologists is growing. I would definitely enjoy working in a field with such passion and dedication, since it suits my personality well.  

Before I am able to assist the deaf and the mute, I shall continue my research and begin my journey into the world of sign language and deaf culture. 

Transitioning My Thoughts

Last week, I had a job interview for a position as a recreational summer day camp leader for Campbell. My interviewers asked me as a final question, why I want to work with children. And I felt pretty stumped by that question, to be honest. I have always had a connection with children, since I have a lot of experience babysitting young children such as my brother. I told them that having gone through summers at their camps helped me distinguish my stronger social skills and develop friendships that have been so far long-lasting. I said that I wanted to be a part of those memories for numerous children, and that I wanted to be a positive influence on their young lives.
My parents have told me on numerous occasions that I get along well with children. I think I have mentioned this before in one of my earlier entries, but for years my friends and family have been saying that I have motherly traits, and few have even called me "Mother Kayla". Plus my personality reflects one of a mother. I guess I work well with children because I have this very soft side, one that feels the need to protect and nurture. And those gentler qualities of mine apply to almost every friend or family member of mine, or someone I care about deeply. This is why I wouldn't mind caring for children, because I can put myself into the work. I don't have to put on an act and pretend that I care, since I will automatically. A job that anyone can feel comfortable in and have a stable, relaxing environment should be top priority for most people.
However, I can't clearly think of a career that I can see myself managing, if involving children. I definitely do not want to be a doctor of any sorts, and I can't be a babysitter forever! Like I said in my first blog post, motherhood would be considered but I don't really want to raise my own children, unless I adopt.
Speaking of adoption, this isn't really focused on children but adults as well, but perhaps working as an adoption caseworker would be a suitable career for me.
I would need to basically check out the lifestyles and personalities of parents that are looking to permanently adopt children, and continue on to each family's case. This involves several one-on-one sessions with the parents and the child, but it would be wonderful to help piece together a family.
Perhaps I don't want to work with only children, maybe I need to work with families. The concepts of home and family are very important to me, and it breaks my heart that people everywhere come from broken homes and families, or are currently living in those types of situations. I think my social skills with adults and children are very strong, and with years of education developing these abilities, I think I could prove myself worthy of being an adoption case worker.

All I really want to do in life is help people, and if bringing families together is a way of contributing to my society, then by any means I'll do it.

A Bit More Than "Arts and Crafts"

I've always liked art. I have always thoroughly enjoyed art museums or galleries and seeing famous and local works of art. I went to Florence over the summer, the location of Renaissance art and fabulous Italian culture. So maybe you can imagine all the classic and modern artworks that surrounded the area. Plus this year I started getting back into art classes and putting some creativity of mine to use. I'm not saying I want to be a famous sculptor or painter, but perhaps I can do something just as meaningful. I aim to please, you see, and if I can't do that through birthday cards and gifts, maybe I could through designing logos and managing advertisements.

For my career project, I looked into graphic design, a very important field since we are constantly surrounded by various forms of graphic design and order. Recently my friend told me that he had met a graphic designer at his work, an he said that it was difficult finding a job after college, but I wasn't going to let that discourage me. After doing some research, I came to realize that many qualities that a graphic designer must have are such that I have admired and appreciated for a while. Graphic designers are hard working and flexible with their work. Now I wouldn't say that I am always hard working or flexible, but when it comes down to art I am.

As some of my sixth period peers already know, I mentioned that I used to make (and still do) elaborate birthday cards and decorated gifts. Every card I have made has been unique and different from the last, and I always put a ton of effort into it. I put in several hours of my time to sketching and writing out these cards and drawings, which would normally delay my sleeping schedule severely, but I wouldn't mind. I think that drawing with various typography styles as an outlet of my creativity really helped me mature, as well. All the hours spent alone in my room past midnight gave me much time to think and plan out my ideas and even my future (as ridiculous as that sounds). I was able to experiment with different artistic concepts, and I've discovered a few abilities I didn't know I had. The reason why I have always made a huge effort to satisfy others through my home-made and personalized cards is because I like to see what others think. I'd like to believe that I am open-minded, so I am always eager to hear what people have to say about my little presents once given to them. Especially when they are excited and express joy when they receive them; those reactions are the best types!

What many people don't realize is that a bunch of the cards have secret meanings behind them. Little details I add on either display inside jokes or fond memories. I am proud of myself for the ability to add more depth to drawings and doodles then what the eye can see. And I believe that reflects myself; I try to say or show certain things that would make others think twice and look beyond the surface of ideas. That is what a graphic designer is like. They work to advertise an idea or a product or even a company, in a creative yet memorable way, and in ways where you would look back and be surprised at what wasn't noticed before.

I've been in this corny little card-making habit for years, the earliest I can remember was being ten years old. I started creating posters and working the Paint program on the computer in celebration of my family's birthdays or my parents' anniversaries. As I got older and became immersed into different cultural ideas and styles, my little scrap drawings greatly improved (at least I like to think that they did). And since then I continue to make improvised illustrations and furthermore expand my creativity levels through drawing and sketching. Whether I do that through an art class project or an anniversary gift, I love to express myself by this unknowingly recognized form of art. I hope one day I can have a job maybe similar to this, so I can still be artsy yet maintain and improve my other abilities as well.