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I was attracted to college because of the support of my family;
I was attracted to Bellingham because the people were friendly;
I was attracted to Western because of the Human Service Degree;
I found the place I know I was meant to be.
My name is Leah Schlegel and I appreciate you taking the time to look over my Capstone Portfolio. Throughout this website you will find evidence of my learning and pieces of my experience in becoming a Human Service Professional. Over the past two years I have been able to spend countless hours with my professors, peers, friends and family in finding out what it means to be a Human Service Professional. What I have found is deeply rooted strength in respect and compassion, that is deserved by each and every one of us. I have come to understand the responsibility of the ‘know’; to have a conscious awareness of social inequity fosters a responsibility. Being aware of what we are a part of as an individual, as a community, as a society sets a standard for our actions. I feel privileged to be a part of community that will challenge yet support me; celebrate our differences and embrace our similarities; and encourage me to be the most authentic version of myself while assuring, not just tolerance, but acceptance. Human Service Professionals are not perfect, we are not saints, and we do make mistakes, but the beauty is in being willing to move forward. The theme of my portfolio is to ‘See Beauty,’ inspired by a tattoo I got last spring. My intention with this tattoo was to acknowledge I am human-which obligates me to make mistakes, lose optimism and at times pass judgment because it is in my nature as a human being. But my intention is to redirect myself to a place without all of those things. I will get off track and that’s okay, but I can move forward with a different perspective of myself and the world. When I lose sight I choose to See Beauty… in others … in myself … in the experiences life will give me.
“Silence is the real crime to humanity” (Loeb).
I’m drawn to the opportunity for dialogue and the power it can have. For the chance for someone to say whatever it is on their mind, to help them feel connected to someone else. When we stay in our own minds we often start to feel isolated. “An emphasis on conversation and dialogue removes a significant burden from us – we do not have to know about everything. We can ask about things, listen to what people are saying” (Smith & Smith, 2008, p. 80). I believe my professional journey will be one of many different experiences. I hope to try new things and travel to new places to see what the world has to offer and what I can offer in return.
References
Loeb, P. (2004). The impossible will take a little while: A citizen's guide to hope in a time of fear. New York: Basic Books
Smith, H. & Smith, M. (2008). The art of helping others: Being around, being there, being wise.
I was attracted to Bellingham because the people were friendly;
I was attracted to Western because of the Human Service Degree;
I found the place I know I was meant to be.
My name is Leah Schlegel and I appreciate you taking the time to look over my Capstone Portfolio. Throughout this website you will find evidence of my learning and pieces of my experience in becoming a Human Service Professional. Over the past two years I have been able to spend countless hours with my professors, peers, friends and family in finding out what it means to be a Human Service Professional. What I have found is deeply rooted strength in respect and compassion, that is deserved by each and every one of us. I have come to understand the responsibility of the ‘know’; to have a conscious awareness of social inequity fosters a responsibility. Being aware of what we are a part of as an individual, as a community, as a society sets a standard for our actions. I feel privileged to be a part of community that will challenge yet support me; celebrate our differences and embrace our similarities; and encourage me to be the most authentic version of myself while assuring, not just tolerance, but acceptance. Human Service Professionals are not perfect, we are not saints, and we do make mistakes, but the beauty is in being willing to move forward. The theme of my portfolio is to ‘See Beauty,’ inspired by a tattoo I got last spring. My intention with this tattoo was to acknowledge I am human-which obligates me to make mistakes, lose optimism and at times pass judgment because it is in my nature as a human being. But my intention is to redirect myself to a place without all of those things. I will get off track and that’s okay, but I can move forward with a different perspective of myself and the world. When I lose sight I choose to See Beauty… in others … in myself … in the experiences life will give me.
“Silence is the real crime to humanity” (Loeb).
I’m drawn to the opportunity for dialogue and the power it can have. For the chance for someone to say whatever it is on their mind, to help them feel connected to someone else. When we stay in our own minds we often start to feel isolated. “An emphasis on conversation and dialogue removes a significant burden from us – we do not have to know about everything. We can ask about things, listen to what people are saying” (Smith & Smith, 2008, p. 80). I believe my professional journey will be one of many different experiences. I hope to try new things and travel to new places to see what the world has to offer and what I can offer in return.
References
Loeb, P. (2004). The impossible will take a little while: A citizen's guide to hope in a time of fear. New York: Basic Books
Smith, H. & Smith, M. (2008). The art of helping others: Being around, being there, being wise.