My first discovery of the human services field came when I volunteered at a community center for teenagers. These kids were mostly at-risk students in Howell, and they quickly noticed that I stood out from the volunteers who only stuck around to fulfill community service requirements. Rather than come and go, I stayed for years to better the lives of these
teenagers by developing enrichment programs and events that they could enjoy. These endeavors built connections with the students, which led them to build their own potential. A supervisor acknowledged the increasing success of the center, and put a variety of job offers on the table. Following my altruism, I became the Youth of the Year in Howell, Michigan, an award that inspired me to research human services field because I was unaware of my impact.
Since then, I made a conscious decision to work in the human services for two key reasons, with the first being my understanding of the issues that people face worldwide. As a victim of domestic abuse and poverty, I feel the pain that millions of Americans face each day, and I know I can make a difference. With that being said, human services I can go above and beyond my call of duty. Rather than following a strict order, I can complete my job while interacting with individuals and helping them heal from their wounds . When looking back on the past, the teenagers I have cared for have helped me heal my own wounds and care for thousands with a limitless career in human services.
In the end, most students find themselves changing career path before graduation, but my kindness and distress helped me solve life’s greatest challenges and stick with mine. At the youth center, I entered as a visitor, but I came out as a humanitarian, and every teenager I helped raise ended up raising me.