Leadership Course

      I have gained an understanding of my interests, strengths, and values, and how they connect to my academic and career goals. Learning more about myself has enabled me to see patterns in the way I think, act, and interact with others, especially as I pursue my degree in aerospace engineering.

      From my self-assessment, I learned that my interests are realistic, social, and conventional. The realistic aspect resonated with me the most because I enjoy working with my hands and seeing tangible results from my efforts. I find satisfaction in doing tasks that produce visible, measurable outcomes, which fits well with my engineering major. The social and conventional aspects also describe me well because I value structure, teamwork, and organization. I enjoy being part of a group that works toward a common goal, and I like having clear expectations and responsibilities.

      My greatest strengths include being responsible, disciplined, consistent, a relator, and a learner. Responsibility and consistency guide my actions every day. I like to follow through on commitments and take ownership of my work. My relator strength helps me form strong relationships with others, which is useful when working in teams or collaborating on projects. Being a learner also defines how I approach challenges; I always want to understand new concepts deeply and grow from each experience.

      My core values are learning, analytical thinking, physical activity, security, and respect. These values complement my strengths and interests. For instance, my value of learning aligns with my strength as a learner, and my appreciation for respect connects with my relator strength and social interest. I also value physical activity and work that allows me to move and engage hands-on, which supports my realistic interest. These patterns reinforce the idea that I thrive in structured, collaborative environments that involve problem-solving, learning, and tangible outcomes.

      The insights that felt most true to me were my realistic interest, responsibility, and relator strength. I enjoy seeing results from my work and being accountable for my actions. I also value building trust and cooperation with others. These qualities describe how I like to approach both academic projects and personal relationships.

      Understanding these aspects of myself will help me make more informed academic and career decisions. Academically, I plan to take challenging classes that help me grow as a learner and problem-solver. I will also apply for summer aerospace internships to gain hands-on experience in the field because I want to gain exposure to real-world applications early on. I will also continue to get more involved in my registered student organization, the Illinois Space Society. My focus in the Spaceshot sub-teams is on Fabrication and System Design Analysis.

      I will utilize my self-knowledge to strengthen my professional skills. I can tailor my résumé and interview responses to highlight my realistic, responsible, and collaborative traits. This awareness will also help me network and deliver elevator pitches. Overall, knowing my interests, strengths, and values gives me a clearer sense of direction and purpose as I continue to grow both academically and professionally.