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This assignment, submitted in the final course of the degree program, helped me to put into words the professional behaviors and standards utilized in the workforce. Having high professional standards for yourself is pivotal for your success and longevity within your career.

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Coming up with the topic for this assignment was challenging, yet fun. I went with using Life After High School because the demographic that I wish to work with are high school students, and helping to come up with and apply options for the next step after graduation has always appealed to me. This assignment challenged me to think outside of the box that I was used to by having me focus on things that weren't just at the surface level.

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Being able to complete this assignment was such a pleasure. I was able to speak with two men, from two completely different backgrounds from myself and from one another. I was able to apply information on different theories regarding development, and that helped me see that even though we had cultural and racial differences, there were so many similarities throughout different stages.

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Creating this presentation was very important to me, not only for the sake of the class, but for the valuable information I was able to take from it by researching. It helped me learn ways to speak to people on the topic, and allowed me to find resources that I could provide to others.

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Intro to Crisis, Trauma, and Mental Health Concerns

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Intro to Crisis, Trauma, and Mental Health Concerns

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This group assignment was mentally challenging, as we were tasked with choosing between topics that some could consider to be triggering to discuss. Domestic Violence is something that affects the youth and adults, and as mental health professionals, it's something that is important to be able to recognize signs of, and discuss.

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Intro to School and Community Counseling

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Intro to School and Community Counseling

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Completing this group assignment was so eye opening for myself and the other group members as we didn't realize how multi-faceted microaggressions could be. This was challenging and rewarding as it helped to provide information to each of us on things that can be utilized at work and in everyday situations. The topic of microaggressions is constantly being expanded, but this was a great starting point for conversations that may need to be held to create comfortable environments.

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This assignment was pretty pivotal for me personally. Looking more into the role helped me realize that even though this degree program doesn't take me onto the path of becoming a school counselor, it would still be one that I am willing to take in the near future. Becoming a mental health professional, in any capacity, is so important to me, and this course and assignment made me feel certain of my future plans.

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Coming up with the topic for this research assignment, how classroom size affects student learning, was another one that was personal for me. Throughout my years in grade school we were often faced with overcrowding and underfunding. This had an impact on the teachers and staff as we could tell that they were doing the best with what was given, but they didn't want it to affect us as students. For students in schools that are in lower economic areas, they are still plagued with overcrowding and being insufficiently funded. Coming up with ways to still work with the students has been more important than ever. Having technology so readily available has been a big help with overcoming this issue.

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For this assignment, I wanted to be sure to touch on something that was at a high in the media, being LGBTQ youth. These students, while in school, are dealing with the media, and their peers telling them that they're too young to understand their "lifestyle choices," or even to convince them that they're doing something wrong because of their attraction to others. As educators, we are able to provide the safe spaces to allow these kids to see themselves represented and understood, where they may not feel that in their real lives. Books, media, advertisements, news announcements, etc. are available for these kids to have access to. Even though some places in Texas have banned such access to this representation in the media, I think it would still be pivotal for these students to know about, or be able to access things for themselves.

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How Educators Can Impact the Lives of LGBTQ

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In studying these different psychological theories, a few were familiar from my undergraduate studies, and the ones that were new gave me a different perspective on psychology and counseling. With this assignment, analyzing the different theories, and applying them personally, that allowed me to reflect on moments from my past and present and seeing which of them could apply to my life. Theorists have been able to put into words different ways that early development can apply and affect individuals in their adult lives.

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Throughout my studies, I started out this program majoring in Professional School Counseling, and changed to Mental Health and Wellness Counseling, as I was not an educator. I knew the former program would not be easy to attain and I needed something that was more realistic for my life. I still have a drive to be a school counselor, and I am pivoting my life to prepare for the path of education.

My next step is to become a teacher, and having this degree while in the profession will be helpful for me as I make the transition to becoming a school counselor. It's often said to me that schools need good, caring, qualified counselors, and I want to be that for the students.

I will use the tools provided from the courses I've taken, and those that are to come in the future, in addition to the training and continuing education to support, encourage, assist, and provide for the students to the best of my ability. I will be sure to be an effective communicator and advocate for those who are not in positions to advocate for themselves. I will be a safe space for anyone who needs it, and provide resources accordingly.

The information provided to me in this coursework is invaluable and I will retain it and apply it to every facet of this future career.