Finding Your Purpose
It’s that time in the semester where we are beginning to think about things like internships and those future plans for after graduation; where do we see ourselves? I feel like so many of my peers know where they want to go with their HMP careers and to be a 100% honest, I have no idea. I originally was accepted to UNH as an occupational therapy major and proceeded to switch to bio-engineering, undeclared, and then finally HMP. Through all of this though, I maintained a constant goal; my end career needed to allow me to help others. With occupational therapy, I wanted to work with children with disabilities, bioengineering, I wanted to make prosthetics for veterans disabled in the line of combat, and here I am in HMP still wanting to help people just from a more managerial standpoint.
After watching Tony Robbins speak on the behalf of “Why People Do What We Do,” it made me realize why I want to have a job that involves helping others, so badly. Robbins talks about what he believes to be the six human needs. The first four can be fulfilled artificially (i.e. you can make yourself believe you are meeting those needs even if you’re not), but the last two are ones you can’t fake. These needs are growth and the need to feel like we are contributing to something beyond ourselves. As he spoke about his life experiences and the paths that he chose to take, you can clearly see how he grew and how he really contributed to something so much bigger than just himself. A Thanksgiving dinner provided to him by a stranger when he was 11 years old and without anything to eat, inspired him to give back later in his life and feed over two million people through the organization he founded (solely based off of that one life experience, how cool!). He grew from that experience and he has contributed immensely to the greater good of society.
I may not have been in a situation like Robbins, but I’ve shared those same emotions, the ones that move you so much you know you need to do something about them. My dad is retired from the Air Force and I spent all my life watching him be deployed. As I got older I began to understand just how much my dad and the other men and women in the service, give up for their country. Just the thought of their selflessness moves me to want to do something for them. My dad now has MS and because of this disease, has lost his eyesight in his left eye. He was forced to retire after 28 years of service, but says he’d do it all over again if he had the chance. After flying the wounded out of the combat zone, fixing countless planes, helping the children of the third world countries he visited, paying for part of my college with the GI bill he earned, I want to give back to him and others in his situation; it’s far overdue.
So while I started off writing this blog post saying I honestly did not know what I want to do, I might have just answered my question. Who knows. Maybe I’ll manage a VA hospital someday or be able to serve a number of veterans in a regular civilian hospital. I do know that if I apply that emotion, what really drives me to do well and succeed, I will be fulfilled in any management position that I end up in.
Why We Do What We Do
After watching Tony Robbins speak on the behalf of “Why People Do What We Do,” it made me realize why I want to have a job that involves helping others, so badly. Robbins talks about what he believes to be the six human needs. The first four can be fulfilled artificially (i.e. you can make yourself believe you are meeting those needs even if you’re not), but the last two are ones you can’t fake. These needs are growth and the need to feel like we are contributing to something beyond ourselves. As he spoke about his life experiences and the paths that he chose to take, you can clearly see how he grew and how he really contributed to something so much bigger than just himself. A Thanksgiving dinner provided to him by a stranger when he was 11 years old and without anything to eat, inspired him to give back later in his life and feed over two million people through the organization he founded (solely based off of that one life experience, how cool!). He grew from that experience and he has contributed immensely to the greater good of society.
I may not have been in a situation like Robbins, but I’ve shared those same emotions, the ones that move you so much you know you need to do something about them. My dad is retired from the Air Force and I spent all my life watching him be deployed. As I got older I began to understand just how much my dad and the other men and women in the service, give up for their country. Just the thought of their selflessness moves me to want to do something for them. My dad now has MS and because of this disease, has lost his eyesight in his left eye. He was forced to retire after 28 years of service, but says he’d do it all over again if he had the chance. After flying the wounded out of the combat zone, fixing countless planes, helping the children of the third world countries he visited, paying for part of my college with the GI bill he earned, I want to give back to him and others in his situation; it’s far overdue.
So while I started off writing this blog post saying I honestly did not know what I want to do, I might have just answered my question. Who knows. Maybe I’ll manage a VA hospital someday or be able to serve a number of veterans in a regular civilian hospital. I do know that if I apply that emotion, what really drives me to do well and succeed, I will be fulfilled in any management position that I end up in.
Why We Do What We Do
If you have an interest in a VA or even military facility, come see me. It mostly likely wouldn't be paid, but there are a lot of opportunities - especially if you would like to do your internship somewhere else. I could probably find you a military facility in Europe, or in almost every state in the US.
ReplyDeleteHi Professor Bonica, I'm sorry my response is so delayed I will be working to answer the comments on my blog posts in a much more timely fashion (not a month later, I'm going to work on weekly). I would definitely be interested in a VA or military facility for my internship. My current financial and living situation unfortunately would only allow for me to have a paid internship that is close to the seacoast area, but if anything comes up that might fit this criteria, please keep me in mind!
DeleteVery touching blog. I myself went through the internal struggle of what do I want to do. The secret? You may never really know! But, it sounds like you are close. HMP found me, or rather... my dad said "hey, check out HMP" & I fell in love with it from day one. Fast forward to being out of college for 6 (gasp!) years, I cannot imagine doing anything but something that truly helps people & their families. Like you, I have also watched my father fight through a serious health issue and it is huge part of me every day at work. Knowing what my family went through during his hospitalization has completely resonated with me and I think, made me a better employee. I encourage you to embody your passion, your love & your commitment of helping people. It will get you far in this career. Don't hold back when it comes to sharing your story and sharing your passion. You're on the right track.
ReplyDeleteThis is so encouraging to hear! It sounds like we share a very similar story when it comes to how we ended up in HMP. The one thing I know is that what truly gives me joy is helping people, in any way that I can. I know that HMP will allow me to do this and while I'm nervous, I'm excited to see what the future holds for me in my career after college!
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