How does one set about making an impact in their surroundings?
October 14, 2011 11:17 PM Subscribe
How do I make an impact/difference/accomplish something memorable?
My story: I am a former poor student. I received my undergraduate degree, and did little else in those four years. I was hit with the real world and realized how much I took intellectual challenge for granted and how miniscule my ambition was.
Fast forward a year, I am disowned by my parents for being gay, but I get into a teaching program, am a 4.0 student, receive Financial Aid, work as a Federal work study student, I started the Math and Science Service Learning Club at my campus, work with an after school program designed to inspire girls to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers, all while student teaching and remaining on top of the ridiculous amounts of state assessments given to pre-service teachers. I am also probably going to get a Leadership Scholarship, but I think only because I was one of only two applicants this year.
I was reading the bios of the previous years winners, and I noticed something. Though I have done quite a lot, I don't really see any of it as being really impactful or making a real difference in my community. I'm certainly involved, but I haven't accomplished anything.
Previous winners have had to drive 80 miles each way to reach the campus, raise two children as single-mothers, develop plans for departmental changes in the school, or volunteer at cancer clinics.
I did what? Start a club and work at a program babysitting girls for 12 dollars an hour? I want to make a difference, and accomplish something that will be memorable to me. Something that I can be proud of. Similar things would be developing a plan for something that might seriously affect the school, or create a program that will last for a long time that might affect future students in a meaningful way. I just don't know how to go about doing something like that!
How does one set out to go and make an impact? I think what I hear most is that the way an impact is made is if one completely focuses on one thing for a very long time with a lot of vim and vigor until they accomplish something that no one else has. Are there any other ways? Or more details? Or an actionable sequence I can take to get something like this done? I want to be more than just another impressive student. I want to be an impressive person.
My story: I am a former poor student. I received my undergraduate degree, and did little else in those four years. I was hit with the real world and realized how much I took intellectual challenge for granted and how miniscule my ambition was.
Fast forward a year, I am disowned by my parents for being gay, but I get into a teaching program, am a 4.0 student, receive Financial Aid, work as a Federal work study student, I started the Math and Science Service Learning Club at my campus, work with an after school program designed to inspire girls to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers, all while student teaching and remaining on top of the ridiculous amounts of state assessments given to pre-service teachers. I am also probably going to get a Leadership Scholarship, but I think only because I was one of only two applicants this year.
I was reading the bios of the previous years winners, and I noticed something. Though I have done quite a lot, I don't really see any of it as being really impactful or making a real difference in my community. I'm certainly involved, but I haven't accomplished anything.
Previous winners have had to drive 80 miles each way to reach the campus, raise two children as single-mothers, develop plans for departmental changes in the school, or volunteer at cancer clinics.
I did what? Start a club and work at a program babysitting girls for 12 dollars an hour? I want to make a difference, and accomplish something that will be memorable to me. Something that I can be proud of. Similar things would be developing a plan for something that might seriously affect the school, or create a program that will last for a long time that might affect future students in a meaningful way. I just don't know how to go about doing something like that!
How does one set out to go and make an impact? I think what I hear most is that the way an impact is made is if one completely focuses on one thing for a very long time with a lot of vim and vigor until they accomplish something that no one else has. Are there any other ways? Or more details? Or an actionable sequence I can take to get something like this done? I want to be more than just another impressive student. I want to be an impressive person.
People who get stuff like that done almost invariably do so with the help of others. Of you don't have networking skills yet, cultivate them.
Agree that also learning about the business and finance side of a not for profit will help. Because that will help prevent your idea failing for mundane reasons.
Also, consider that you are doing a great deal and most impressive people feel that they themselves are not all that.
posted by plonkee at 4:05 AM on October 15, 2011
Agree that also learning about the business and finance side of a not for profit will help. Because that will help prevent your idea failing for mundane reasons.
Also, consider that you are doing a great deal and most impressive people feel that they themselves are not all that.
posted by plonkee at 4:05 AM on October 15, 2011
First of all, I don't think you should sell yourself short. You have already overcome significant challenges and accomplished a lot. I know it doesn't sound like it to you but it is. Also, this may sound cheesy but I've found that the more you put yourself out there, slowly but surely, opportunities make themselves available to you. And even if that doesn't happen, by putting yourself out there, you will find what matters most to you and see ways that you can personally get involved and make a difference. Mentoring students, helping with science fairs, and tutoring are all great things you can do. But in general, take a look around at the people who inspire you and ask yourself, what are they doing and why can't I do that myself? Can I do something like that? Talk to them and see how they got started.
posted by kat518 at 11:44 AM on October 15, 2011
posted by kat518 at 11:44 AM on October 15, 2011
« Older What are my rights in Washington state regarding... | Sometimes it just never happens Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
(But) For the big fire in your heart, I believe you are considering making a local non-profit. Since you like STEM, maybe it can be a STEM for grade school students advocacy group?
I have a few relatives in my family that pursued non-profits or worked for them.
I would suggest you become familiar with the money-side of the enterprise as you brainstorm what sort of organization you want to create. Who knows? A local non-profit can easily be a branch of a national group of the same goals or spread to being that kind of existence as well.
about.com nonprofit page
posted by Bodrik at 12:37 AM on October 15, 2011