As a premedical student, I had not expected that my position as a housing assistant would become an important part of my education at Johns Hopkins University. I had thought that all I needed were good grades in my science and math classes and good clinical experiences in my pathway towards medical school. However, working for the housing office has taught me essential skills for the professional world that I had not realized I was missing. Through the mentorship of my supervisors, I have become more flexible in dealing with mistakes; I am a more effective communicator and I am better at observing my surroundings and the people in it.
Prior to being in the office, I remember an instance where I was explaining to my freshmen roommates what I expected from them to avoid any possible conflict during the year. I talked …show more content…
Consequently, I had to let go of the African ideology that it was disrespectful to look at my conversation partner in the eye. To an African parent this gesture signified disrespect, and not that one is still listening to body and facial expressions while passing across needed information. Additionally, this position has relieved me of the notion that mistakes are always to be avoided. My dad would say, "If it's worth doing at all, it's worth doing well." In other words, I grew up thinking that every mistake would always lead to terrible consequences. Thus, when in my first year at the office, I was afraid of the backlash I would receive after making mistakes with scheduling and communication. For example, I was 1 hour late to work one day because of some problems with the public transportation system, so I convinced myself that I was fired. I tearfully walked into the housing Director's office and I explained myself, but she told me that all that was needed was notification of such an occurrence and that I was not