Exhibit: Career portfolio

Benchmark: Personal Management

Skills: P103- Meet School an/ or work deadlines

           P110- Accept a new and changing responsibilities

                                                                                            

“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.” –Jim Rohn.  This quote resonates with me because as a young adult, I understand that the life I live as a teenager isn’t the life I will live forever. I have a job of which I get paid under minimum wage, I drive a non-luxury car, I live with my parents, and I have job training from the career center without certification. I know from research in my career field that with a doctorate degree, these aspects will no longer affect me. I will have credentials that allow me to earn a well paying salary, I can afford to become a homeowner, I will be able to afford my own car payment and maintenance, and I will have over eight years of education and training behind me. Becoming a second year in my Dental Occupations class and being a senior has put the opportunity of college in prospective. Being a first year student, it was my requirement to create a portfolio by the end of the year that exhibited that I was ready to move on and become a second year student.

            Being moved into this position in my class comes with responsibility. Not only do second years become role models and guide the first years along with are wonderful health/dental instructors, but we also are leaders in group activities such as presentations for Smiles on Wheels. In my portfolio, which was worth 240 points, I received full credit. This grade shows that I am a good role model for the first years to look up to because I take pride in my knowledge of dentistry and my schoolwork by working hard to receive this grade and by completing my work on time.

            I felt that this grade was well deserved because every Tuesday I did exactly what I had to in order to complete my portfolio every week and I did not just fly through my assignments I put true thought and effort into my papers and presentations and awards I achieved. An important part of being a second year is being able to exhibit how to be successful in the classroom and also future college classes and work experiences. Even with my curriculum I often will help other students with their work and I also will give them advice on their classwork and laboratory procedures.

            Accepting new responsibilities and having to meet necessary deadlines is a part of growing up as a person. Part of growing up is having these responsibilities and having to become better than your teenage self. There isn’t just one simple way to be able to achieve stability in your career, school, and home life. Some people choose to go right into their career, some decide to go to college for years in order to receive a degree, and others choose not to go to college and start a family. I am happy to say that I have chosen my path and I plan to follow it until I reach my achieved goal. As a dentist, it is important to be able to accept responsibility because you are the boss and all liability falls on you and it is important to be able to meet important deadlines in order to be successful. As a college student, my responsibilities and tasks will always require my knowledge and maturity. I can easily say I have what it takes to succeed in my future endeavors.