Retrospective Essay
As an emerging professional, I am compassionate about and connected to the field of public policy, an effective communicator when speaking to the public or to colleagues, and have extensive research skills in the policy, political science, and psychology sectors. The work I have completed with the Honors College at IU Indianapolis has made me successful in these aspects because of the standards that are expected in Honors, including volunteer hours each year and honors contracts for courses that often require extensive research and presentation skills. In my particular case, that meant continuous volunteer work related to policy efforts, completing honors contracts that I have presented in class and to the public, and research papers for courses in subjects such as policy, political science, and psychology.
While given the opportunity of being an honors student at IU Indianapolis, I have been granted numerous experiences that have encouraged me to pursue a career in Public Policy. At IU Indianapolis Honors College, civic engagement and community involvement are vital aspects for students and a major contributor to how I chose the field of policy work. As expressed in my showcase artifacts, I am a volunteer and new volunteer coordinator for the Westminster Neighborhood Services food pantry. During my time there the past two years, I have been able to communicate with the public about implementing aid in relation to food scarcity and have recently been shadowing the director of the program. This first-hand experience has allowed me to connect with the public and better understand the real-life policy options and procedures that directors are apart of. Additionally, the Honors College also has a learning goal related to immersing yourself in international or cultural experiences; I was able to do this by attending a Public Health Study Abroad in Norway and Sweden. This study abroad allowed me to attend lectures in several universities across the two countries, as well as visit public and private hospitals that discussed their goals for public health. This particular experience provided me better insight into the sector of public health and how policy was involved, furthering my interest in the field. Lastly, the honors contracts I have completed for numerous classes have provided me the opportunity to advance in my research skills, as discussed in my showcase artifacts as well.
These opportunities that are often unique to the honors college have expanded my knowledge of the career I want to pursue, the materials I have studied, and the connection these aspects have to the real-world. As expressed in this ePortfolio, I have altered my decision of career and study throughout my time at IUI and the Honors College, and I am now assured of this choice through the experiences I have been given. This opportunity for exploration and growth will provide me success in graduate school and my future career because I have been passionate about each of the opportunities that have related to policy.
