What event or life experience has had the greatest influence in shaping your character and why?

In the summer of 2003, prior to setting off on my undergraduate journey in New York, I worked at a day camp in Connecticut as a cabin counselor. On the second day of camp, I was offered the opportunity to work as a one-on-one counselor with Dan, an adolescent with autism and severe anxiety. Given the challenges that the opportunity presented, I was unsure how I would handle the situation and what impact it would have on me. I worked with Dan for the next two months, integrating him into the camp’s programs while forging a friendship that has had an indelible impact in shaping who I am today. Dan was the first camper to arrive each morning, and often the last to leave at the end of the day. It was challenging to match Dan’s energy level each day, but striving to do so was essential to keep Dan from disappointment. Our friendship strengthened as I began to spend time with him on weekends and during my visits back to Connecticut. His mother has shared stories with me of Dan having sleepless nights in anticipation of the time we would spend together. I realized that a small sacrifice on my part could have great meaning to someone else. This taught me to look at work not only as fulfilling for me, but for others as well.

As this friendship evolved, I began to see the harmony between personal growth and influencing the growth of others. The pride I felt helped me understand how my actions not only provided joy to his life, but also tremendous learning, development and growth in mine. I helped Dan to develop his social skills, build confidence in communicating, and learn to integrate into various environments. This reciprocal relationship shifted my perceptions of success. I became aware that for me, success is dependent on the impact my decisions have on others, as well as how they contribute to my educational achievement and career progression. I had entered my undergraduate studies in 2003 with ambition to find a job that would develop my professional credentials and skill set. This relationship has led to a realization that my professional development needs to be complimented by the ability to leverage leadership for a positive social impact.

While the introduction to one amazing individual has provided me with a lifelong friend, it has also allowed me to develop perspectives and skills that impact the manner in which I interact with others, personally and professionally. I have developed a mindset to continually ask ‘why’ when working on initiatives, needing to understand the holistic impact of decisions. This has helped me in harnessing a desire to challenge the status quo in appropriate situations. For example, when Dan wanted to play on the camp’s basketball team, despite not having the talent to be chosen, I challenged the existing camp policy and had the camp director make an exception for him. I knew that I would be able to demonstrate the importance that this decision would have on someone’s life, and so a seemingly small initiative on my part led to a memory of a lifetime for someone else. Dan would play in his first competitive basketball game later that summer, a dream he had attempted to fulfill for years.

Virtues of patience, tolerance and understanding developed as my relationship with Dan grew, and have had a positive influence on my relationships with friends, family and colleagues. I have learned to become a better listener in the formulation of group ideas, and more positive in how I analyze the ideas of others. The energy and attitude that Dan brought out in me on a daily basis shaped me into a more positive, attentive and energetic individual. I would not be as understanding in other areas of my life had I not witnessed the impact that this approach had on Dan and me. In the past, I made decisions that were self-fulfilling, such as working for a high-paying conservative organization, Energy First, upon graduation from NYU. As my mindset evolved, I focused my efforts on more selfless endeavors such as my extensive work with Goodwill Industries.

It has been more than seven years since I was introduced to Dan, and as time passes, the passion for socially fulfilling work grows. This relationship has led to my redefining success and positively influencing the impact that I have on society as I apply this passion in leadership opportunities in the future.