I was away from home–really away from home–for the first time in my life. Though there is a support system, ultimately I was on my own for what I needed and getting my job done in a way that earned me any income. My parents weren’t there to do things for me–not to say they coddled me since they always had encouraged me to be responsible (which is why I even survived my summers, two of them walking). Beyond forcing me to be even more responsible for myself, I also simply had the experience of seeing and living in other areas of the country, learning about other people and how people really are more alike than different–though those differences are so much fun.

As I was planning on becoming a teacher, I recognized more value for me in selling for Southwestern. I had the opportunity to talk to literally thousands of families about education. This confirmed time and again that parents really do want their children to do well in school and are willing to work with their children to succeed. An awareness of this has helped me relate to and understand my own students’ parents a bit better. Also, having to talk to so many people has really helped me have confidence in communicating with others, something I knew I needed to improve upon before I became a teacher. This is one of the reasons I sold for a third summer after I graduated from college even though I could have been hunting for a job for the fall. Additionally, I earned a little bit of money that helped me avoid having to take out a loan for basic living necessities when I did move that fall to take a full-time teaching job (one I still have). Even the fact that I still am at the same school now almost five years later could be partially attributed to Southwestern’s emphasis on persistence. My first few years of teaching, in particular, included ample opportunities for me to give up when I was faced with challenging students and situations. Though I’ve always been stubborn, my three summers practicing persistence certainly helped me hang in during difficult times. So, overall, I have difficulty imagining another way I could have gained the experience I needed to become who I am now.