This Maisy Monday is the beginning of the final week of my second semester of graduate school. While that may not be monumental to a lot of people, it is to me. I had never intended on going to graduate school. It was a mountain that I was uncertain that I would be able to climb. I took a year off after I got my undergraduate degree and tried to figure out what it was that I wanted to do with my life. My first conversations with my mom
My mom and my grandmother, two of my greatest inspirations
about going to graduate school made me slightly nervous because I knew once I uttered those words…the idea was out there. Before my grandmother passed away last year, I discussed the idea with her and she sealed the deal. Her words to me were…”never stop learning…please, keep going to school.” I knew if she believed in me that much, I could do anything. I picked up the GRE book the next day and started to study. The more I studied, the more I remembered how much I thoroughly enjoyed learning. I found myself getting more and more excited about the possibility of throwing myself into graduate school and loving every minute of it. Before I knew it, I was at graduate student orientation.
My first semester came to a close with straight A’s. I worked harder than I ever had before…but the key to this was that I had finally found my passion. It was always there but grad school helped me to tap into it at a deeper level. This semester began my She’s the First adventure…and what an adventure it has been. At this moment, I am currently working on a research paper for my independent study on She’s the First. My paper highlites the epic lengths that She’s the First has come in such a short lifespan and how the millennial generation has utilized social media to make a difference. She’s the First has built itself upon a foundation of the input and talents of its followers. I was once just a She’s the First twitter follower. Now, here I am….a couple months later…an intern and preparing to get more involved. I’ve learned so much in my She’s the First journey and it’s far from over. Not only have I learned so much, but I’ve felt so much. I am constantly amazed by the ambition, talent, and generosity of everyone in our network and above all, the passion that everyone has to make a difference.
She’s the First has so many exciting things in the works. There is one thing I can say for certain: no one is going to stop this incredibly talented team of ladies (and now gentleman)! So, if everyone would be so kind as to leave me a comment, my questions for the week to you are these: Who is someone in your life that has inspired you to achieve your firsts and how did they do so?
I have tried to draw inspiration from everything and everyone in my life. I’ve found inspiration in failure and success…in my best of friends and those that have been a challenge to me. Some have been one in the same. My best advice that I can give you at this point in my life is to surround yourself with positive, encouraging people who are going to support you in achieving your dreams. No matter what though, never give up your belief in yourself and your ability to make a difference in the world. Look at the things that She’s the First has achieved in less than a year. Imagine the possibilities! So, go climb your mountain, whatever your mountain may be.
