Reflecting on Leadership for change

The most important thing learned this semester is to stop limiting myself and do not be afraid to go afraid what you what regardless of what others may think..... go after what makes me happy!! Hard work never hurts anybody.

After reading my entire blogs I was amazed from the progresses I made, courage I have gained, and the things I have learned from experience and through readings. Along with being amazed I am frustrated as well due to the bumps I have came across in my journey. I have grown in so many ways due to this course in my personal life as well as my academic endeavors. My life as done a complete 360 from this course (I'm not gonna get too personal), but I can definitely say I am not the same Shakita when spring semester started. My perspective about a lot of things as changed and allowed me to shape the way I thought about things and issue regarding myself and life in general. Some activities I engaged in this semester that played a crucial role in shaping my cognition is stepping outside my comfort zone and reaching out to individuals that have accomplished the things I desire to accomplish in the future. Three things I enjoyed about Leadership for change is the novel All about Love, the panel, and the movies we watched during class. Three things I liked least about the class is the amount of time spent in class, the novel about leadership, and that is all. I can not think of a three items. At the moment I do not have any suggestions to improve the course. The design and curriculum of the course is perfect. Its is designed to force students to focus on themselves and the things that must be accomplished to reach their goals. If anything changes then the students experience my change and the experience is the most important things we must let with. So I think the class requirements should remain the same so we take away the appropraite lessons, motivation, and strive the achieve our dreams!!!

THANKS DR. ROCKQUEMORE!!
P.S I think my sister regrets not taking the course......(LOL)

WORK THE PLAN!!

Exercise #1: My first step is still the same as before which is to continue to search for GRE prep courses. I did make some kind of progress this week by purchasing some study guide materials and facing the fact that I may be self studying for the examination or finding a partner to study with which will be a better idea. My psychology adviser exactly suggested that I self study for the test. I need to have a little more confidence in myself and give it a try.......WISH ME LUCK!!!


Exercise #2: This Sunday a had another buddy meeting with my sister Nakita Perdue!! I told her I was finally going to give self study for the exam......she said she was very proud of me! I explained how I had a meeting with the volunteer coordinator at Inspiration Cafe and I could possible be volunteering for them in the near future. She suggested that I look into more local agency to seek volunteer opportunities. I also explained the tasks I will be looking forward to completing next week which will be to contact the founder of Inspiration Cafe. I would love for her to share her experience in starting the agency and how she feels about the agency turned into a corporation.

Exericise #3: During the Sunday Night Planning Meeting I decided to continue during the steps in my flow chart and hopefully find a study group for the summer to prepare for the GRE exam. Looking for another job is definitely on the to do lists. I am looking forward to making progess on my flow chart. I will also continue contacting individuals that started their own agency.


ROLE MODEL:
Last Friday I had a meeting with the volunteer coordinator of Inspiration Cafe. Just for a little background information Inspiration Cafe was established 1989. The services they provide are supportive, housing assistance, and employment opportunities. Their services are mostly geared to homeless people or people that hace low income status. The famous or primary services is feeding the homeless. Instead of a soup line like most shelter they serve their participants as if it was a restuarant. They get to order from menus, have waiters, and engage in friendly conversations. The person I met with was Katriana Barr, unfornately she is not the founder but Ms. Barr gave me her contact inforamtion. So besides giving me the history and purpose of the agency which is now a corporation she answered all my questions and promise to notify me when an open position is available. I look forward to contacting the founder of the corporation and the current director. WISH ME LUCK!!

The Buddy System!!

The buddy I chose is my best friend.....the person who knows me the best in this world, my twin sister Nakita Perdue!! The weekly business meeting was wonderful! I got a chance to express all my emotions and frustrations and she totally understood me!


Step One: I discussed with her all the steps I have accomplished towards my goal. I not only discussed the goals I have accomplished this passed week, but all the steps and actions I have taken towards my goals.

Step Two: I showed her her my flow chart and planning wall and explained where I am now on the chart. I also mentioned where I am currently stuck and not moving in the whole process. I am currently stuck trying to find a GRE prep class so I can start preparing for the examination. Not being able to take the examination pushes back the following steps on the planning wall. To explain, not being able to take the test prohibits me from filling out my graduate school applications before the deadline which is December 1. SO THIS MEANS I WILL NOT BE ATTENDING GRADUATE SCHOOL UNTIL 2011......(SAD FACE). After explaining this issue to my sister she suggested that a take the practice exam and see which area I need to study more in and buy study materials and self study for the exam. She also mentioned that she would talk to her internship to see if they (Kaplin) have any opening for the summer. This is a good opportunity because if students intern with Kaplin for a semester then they will pay for you to take a preparatory course for FREE!!! So I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed for that privilege. So if things do not work out the way I want them to then I will be pressing back the dates on my flow chart/planning wall. So until I go to graduate school I will be volunteering at different agencies and gaining awesome relative work experience to take with me to whatever graduate program I attend.

Step Three: I have not come up with any news ideas or neccessary steps to add to the flow chart/plaaning wall....

Step Four: The problem that I came across that is holding up my whole process is finding a GRE prep score.....I have talked to advisors, friends, different departments on campus and still no luck in finding a class. So maybe I need to get the study materials and practice on my own possibly with a study friends.

Step Five: Next week's plan is to continue searching for a GRE prep course, continuing contacting more role models, and research more graduate programs.


I would not neccessarily call her my role models but I spoke with my psychology advisor about graduate school and she was givng me advise about different Master programs and sharing her graduate school experience. It turned out to be a good conversation and she gave me some material to read about all the graduate programs in the states.

Assignment on Fear!!

My steps I had planned for the week are to continue searching for GRE courses that are affordable and that can fit into my tight schedule. Unfortunately, I am still unsuccessful in finding the course, but I will not give up. While trying to complete the steps on my planning wall thus far I have not been experiencing fear. If anyone know of any GRE courses I could take please let me know!! I NEED HELP. I AM STUCK.......

FIRST STEP!!

My first step was to research graduate programs and learn the requirements needed for each program before completing the application. This was a very interesting process to complete!!

The first graduate program I am interested in is Depaul University!! They had a very interesting website to navigate and interesting details to read. The requires for this institution is completing the application before December 1, GRE score of at least a 1200, and B grade point average. I read the programs that might be of interest to me which were clinical child track and the clinical community track. I am still comparing the two programs to see which one best fits my goals.

The second school was Roosevelt University. Besides completing the application the only requirements was including a personal statement along with application and a G.P.A of 3.0. I like this program because they require no GRE score!! HOW EXCITING!!

The third school was Northwestern. I looked into this school because one of my role models suggested that I study marriage and family because the curriculum teaches social systems and different types of relationships and this is the only I know of that offers a program like this. The only issue is that they do not offer this training at the a Master's level only PH.D. The requirements for this GRE score, 3 recommendations from actually psychologists, transcripts, and personal statement.

The fourth school was UIC. The requirements were 3.2 G.P.A, GRE recommended but not required, 3 recommendations from actually psychologists, and a personal statement. I am going look further into this program because I am very interested.

The fifth programs in researched was the Professional school of psychology. This program was MOST interesting!! The requirements for this program are 3.0 G.P.A, GRE NOT REQUIRED, 3 letters of recommendations, and an essay. This program stuck out more because all their programs cater to the different interests of psychologists.

2 more interviews!!!!

Even though I blogged that I interviewed Connie Vitale last week we final met this past weekend. During our emails we only scratched the surface of the conversation, but we really got into depth and interesting conversation in our meeting. We met this past Sunday at Ann Sather's which turned out to be a pretty nice place to have coffee and chat. I was a little nervous because I did not know what to expect....lol. Once she arrived the conversatioon started. Connie started by asking me a few questions about myself and my career that she did not undertand through our email. She asked my what was my purpose for my private practice and I stated that I wanted to own my own business counseling and create programs that help individuals cope after a traumatic event specifically domestic violence and sexual assault. After my answer, Connie stated "you don't want a private practive you want your own agency". And after I thought about it the idea made more sense to me. I dont want to counsel only I want to hire staff members that assist me in couseling and create programs within the agency. I definitely learned something new about myself that was very exciting. After we got to the bottom of my dreams Connie suggested that I start volunteering with as many agencies as possible to gain expertise experience about agencies, how they are established and how they operate. I was so excited after our meeting.

She also mentioned looking into a master's in social work because my dreams can also be achieved through a master's in social work as well as psychology!! Connie said that a master's in social work gives me more a variety when it comes to the things I can pursue with the degree. She said that she would be keeping her eyes open for anything and anybody that would help me in my plans. So, now I am waiting on her email with contact information about someone who hosts domestic violence workshops!!! Meeting with people is most beneficial then email the interpersonal communication is exciting and you really build your social networks more in person not through email as much. Connie is such a wonderful person I look forward to seeing your again in the future.


Unfortunately my second interview was through email because she resides in San Diego, California. Even though Tracey is many miles away she made some suggestions that I am really taking into consideration. Tracey is a therapist that specializes in marriage and family. She suggested that I consider a master's in marriage and family because it teaches you systems, context, and about our social relationships. Often times people fail to recognize that our problems exist through our relationships with other people. When it comes to domestic violence and sexual assault our social world is very important. Because these issues usual exist within relationships that already existed in our lives such as family members, friends, marriages, partners, and aquaintances. Not only do these issues exist in existing relationships, but after the traumatc event has taken place its become difficult for the victim/survivor to trust individuals in their social world again and cope in society. I really apprecriate this suggestions that Tracey made. And Connie mentioned that Northwestern has a great Marriage and Family Institition. Me and Tracey are still comunicating!!


These women has made a tremendous impact in my future goals that I do not think I would have thought about these ideas without them. My interviews were amazing. It feels wonderful to see my plans change and grow into avenues that I could not have done alone!! I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT MY PLANS!!

I am currently trying to contact Beth Richie because she is very involved in the domestic violence movement. So, wish me luck!!!

Assignment Eight!!

I know we were suppose to interview 2 role models, but my role models are very busy and our schedules conflicted a lot. However, we were conversing through email and one of my role models have yet to respond. So, I have been conversing with Connie Vitale and she has been a therapist for 18 years!! She has her license as a clinical professional counselor. The questions I asked her to get the conversion rolling were:

• How long were you a therpist?
• What kinds of workshops does you host?
• What graduate program did you attend?
• What kind of advise would you give a young women like myself interested in this field?
• Do you have any regrets?
• Would you change anything about your career?
• Would you suggest I do into social worker or psychology since both fields are very similar?

• What are some challenges you face in private practice?
  

She was wonderful and very helpful. She received her MA in pastoral counseling at Loyola where she currently teaches and run group therapy sessions as well as online discussions. She started counseling really late and it was her second career. She told me that its good to see young women interested in the field because we are underrepresented especially as minorities. She also told me that private practice is a bit isolated from other types of therapy. She stated that of she can do it over she would form a group practice with some colleagues. They were a few things that she would like to change about her career. Unfortunately, we only scratched the surface of the conversation there are still millions of questions I would love to ask like is it really necessary to get a Ph.D or PsyD? Also I still waiting on two other therapist to responds. However, I am definitely going to meet with Connie in the near future to continue our conversation.