As job positions become more competitive, it is important for employees to acquire skills that will help them stand out to employers. To choose the skills employers are looking for, scholars recommend that individuals perform self-evaluations to better understand who they are and identify the qualities that will prepare them for their careers. In this paper, I will discuss and evaluate my strengths, future priorities, and the skills that will strengthen my portfolio by answering questions related to the aspirations I hope to pursue in the near future.

Future priorities, possible obstacles, and measure of success

A significant future priority for me is attending law school and ultimately passing the bar exam. I anticipate several potential obstacles, including the financial costs associated with attending law school and course material for the classes. I think that studying law can be demanding, particularly the extensive reading necessary for the courses, but I believe that effective time management will enable me to succeed. I am fortunate to have substantial support in pursuing this goal. Several members of my family are attorneys, and a close friend is currently enrolled in law school and will soon be preparing for the bar exam. I know she will be a valuable resource as I prepare for the LSAT. For me, success in this endeavor will be measured by my ability to attend law school and practice law.

Short and long term aspirations

One of my short-term career aspirations is to obtain a cybersecurity position within the government or another technology-related role so that I can get experience on my resume and be financial stable. After law school, I intend to resign from my position to dedicate time to study for the bar exam. In the long term, I hope to pass the bar and either join a law firm or eventually establish my own, although I have not yet fully developed that part of my plan. At this time, I have not made substantial developmental progress toward either my short- or long-term goals, but I intend to begin searching for cybersecurity positions in the coming months as I approach graduation. Throughout my studies, I have gained considerable knowledge that will prepare me for entry level roles in cybersecurity while I simultaneously explore law school options.

Demonstration of leadership skills

I consider myself a natural leader because I am the oldest of six children. From a young age, I helped my mother care for my siblings, and she often reminded me that they were observing both my words and actions. This responsibility encouraged me to serve as a positive example for them. I believe that core attributes of leadership include initiative, others centered and resilience. I demonstrate initiative by regularly taking responsibility for tasks at home, such as preparing meals and maintaining household cleanliness. I am still working on being more others-centered rather than solely focused on my own needs and preferences. While living at home this semester, I frequently assist my mother with caring for my siblings while managing academic responsibilities, cooking, and other daily tasks. There are moments when my younger sister needs help at inconvenient times because I had to pause my own work to support her, even when I would prefer to finish my tasks first, but it has strengthened my ability to prioritize the needs of others. Furthermore, I believe I have demonstrated resilience by persevering through challenges. One notable example occurred during my sophomore year of high school when I struggled significantly in Algebra II and was close to failing the course. Despite feeling exhausted and discouraged, I consistently stayed after school to receive tutoring and retake quizzes. Through persistence and by the grace of God I passed the class.

Remarkable qualities and positive impact of someone on your team

One individual I admire as a leader is my former manager, Megan. She possesses remarkable qualities that benefit not only her personal life but also the organization she served. Some of the characteristics that stand out most are her grace, compassion toward customers, and her ability to foster an enjoyable work environment. Megan demonstrated grace in numerous situations. There were times when I made minor mistakes at work that felt significant to me, and I worried I might be fire, but she responded with patience and understanding, reassuring me that errors are part of the learning process. She was always willing to assist me, whether I needed help with a challenging customer or guidance on a particular task.

She was also incredibly inviting. Before I even began working with her, I met her through one of our mutual friends. Megan and her family opened their home to host a game and dinner night for their church ministry, where she prepared a meal and welcomed everyone with warmth. This experience made a strong impression on me. During my time working in the Dean of Students Office where my role involved assisting students, parents, and faculty seeking information or support Megan consistently exhibited compassion. She approached visitors with patience and a genuine desire to help.

She also created a pleasant work atmosphere. I always enjoyed our random conversations that were appropriate for the workplace such as her morning routine. As the manager of the Dean of Students Office, Megan role was to schedule meeting for the support team, ordered office supplies and food for office events, and provided direct assistance to visitors. She managed a wide range of responsibilities, and her leadership played a vital role in ensuring that the office operated smoothly.

Work Accomplished that I am proud of

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is the Bible study organization that my friend named Olu hosted the bible studies and prayer meetings. The Bible Study is my biggest accomplishment for many reasons. The first reason is I was able to study the Bible with other Christians because my freshman year I wasn’t surrounded by friends that wanted to pursue Christ. The second reason is that there are several “Christian” organizations that teach doctrine that do not align with biblical teachings and ultimately preached heresy. When joining a Christian group, I want to learn from people that are preaching sound doctrine. The third reason is the many people I met that attend Bible Study and that my friends and I were able to start an official Bible Study group on campus where many people can learn about Christ.

Important skills needed to be work on

I think Meade highlighted valuable point in his article “Looking at Your Strengths and Values” that asking others to evaluate us can be an effective way to identify areas in need of improvement. At times, we may have an inaccurate perception of our own abilities, so seeking feedback from others can provide a clearer and more realistic understanding of our strengths and weaknesses. Some skills I need to further develop that would add value to my portfolio include flexibility. When I am busy with many tasks, I sometimes hesitate to make time for things that are more meaningful than schoolwork, such as spending time with my family which is something

I am actively working on. Another skill is avoiding procrastination, because there are times when I delay my homework, which can contribute to feeling overwhelmed. To address this, I am working on starting my assignments earlier. In general, many job positions such as cybersecurity are highly competitive. Therefore, it is important for employees to have the skills that employers are seeking, as companies want to hire individuals who can help advance their organization. In this paper, I discuss several attributes about myself that would strengthen my resume and portfolio as I search for a job. To summarize, I explore the purpose of self-evaluation, particularly on a professional level, as it provides an opportunity to identify areas for improvement and to further develop existing strengths. I also reflect on characteristics of a former manager that inspire me to embody similar traits to assist colleagues, customers, and the company I work for. Overall, this paper serves as a way to share information about myself and highlight areas that can support my personal and professional growth.