Prompt: What did you learn about the problem, about the community, about yourself? How will the work you did in CODES relate to your remaining time at SIUE, to the career you are planning for yourself, and to the person you want to be?
Being part of CODES has been an eye-opening experience that has allowed me to engage deeply with the community by helping others and mentoring students. Through this program, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds, which has broadened my understanding of different perspectives and the challenges people face. This has been especially valuable in moments when things didn’t go as planned, teaching me to adapt and find solutions even in unpredictable situations.
One thing I’ve learned is that mentoring isn’t always smooth sailing. The program itself can sometimes can cause confusion and frustration. Coordinating schedules, managing expectations, and balancing all the moving parts often left me questioning if it was even worth it. On top of that, the challenge of balancing my responsibilities as a mentor, student, and employee pushed me to my limits. I often struggled with work-life balance, juggling academic deadlines, job demands, and my commitment to the students. There were moments of self-doubt when I wondered if I was truly making an impact or just going through the motions.At times, I also wrestled with the delicate balance of being honest with the students while still encouraging them to dream big. It’s not easy to give realistic advice without dampening someone’s aspirations, but those moments taught me how to approach tough conversations with care and sensitivity. Despite the challenges, seeing the students’ growth and their enthusiasm for learning reminded me why this work matters. They showed resilience, defied stereotypes, and inspired me to reflect on my own motivations and capabilities.
The work I’ve done in CODES has not only helped me develop communication and public speaking skills but also taught me the importance of perseverance. These are skills I will carry into my future career, although I am still undecided on which career path I’ll pursue after graduation, where I’ll meet new people daily, build relationships, and navigate complex conversations. This experience has prepared me to handle challenges with patience, adaptability, and empathy: skills I’ll continue to use both in school and beyond.