I expected to have a fun-filled summer in Midland, Texas. However, that is not what life had planned out for me.

The summer after my freshman year I took on my first job as an intern at a tax service. This experience helped open my eyes to the accounting field along with the general business world. I learned valuable skills, such as communication, office etiquette, and professionalism.

My experience at the first Silver Taps of the semester was spectacular and taught me a lot about myself right at the beginning of my college journey. Seeing an Aggie tradition firsthand lead me to realize my love for Texas A&M University and my will to continue such traditions.

Knowing one's values is crucial to self awareness and learning how to further develop as a business leader. The process of how I found my top five values was long and extensive, but knowing what I value will assist me in evaluating situations I may face in college (or in a job) and how to handle the problem according to my morals.

After listening to Dave Swiney at one of my Professional Development Events, I learned a lot about myself and about how I can achieve success in my future. Being given advice on how to flourish as a college student and as a leader, I will be able to grow personally and professionally. 

A time I was struck with an ethical dilemma was during the first few weeks of college. The night before my first exam, I was asked to go out with a couple friends to take a simple "study break." I had to rely on my own moral principles and decide whether I was going to stick to achieving academic success or go socializing. 

After taking the StrengthsFinder Inventory, I became aware of my top five strengths and behavior as the current leader I am today. Knowing and further developing my strengths will help me in the long run to become a better business leader rather than focusing on building my weaknesses.