Am I Making an Impact?

I had a very good conversation with my supervisor Stephanie about the impact I've made in the Center for Student Success. I quickly realized that I have a very hard time giving credit to myself for the work I've done. I think this is a characteristic of mine that I've noticed before and I don't really know what to do about it. It's difficult for me to receive attention or praise for things I've done well. I notice that when I am receiving positive feedback I don't know how to react to it. It actually makes me a little uncomfortable. I know this is something about myself that I need to work on, so I'm starting right now by talking about how I am making an impact.

I was asked to do a marketing project to promote our Peer Advising program to attempt to bring in more clients for our peer advisors and the class that peer advisors must take in order to be eligible to apply. I wasn't really given any parameters for the project, so it was up to me to brainstorm different ways to market these two projects. Now that all the marketing for these two projects is mostly done, I am now able to reflect on how much of an impact it made in our office. I know this marketing project is something that has never been done before and I take great pride in the work I did. I know this is something that will continue to be done in the future and it makes me feel proud of what I did and the impact I've made.

A major part of my role in the Center for Student Success is helping to coordinate the Peer Advising program. With this role, I also see clients (students who are struggling academically) and I feel like I'm making an impact in their lives. There is one particular client who comes to see me every two weeks (even though it's only recommended they do four sessions) and I really feel like I'm making an impact on him. He continues to struggle academically, but I'm obviously doing something right if he continues to come back. Even if I'm not making a major difference in his life, it's nice to know that he values what I'm doing for him.

In class I brought up the idea of "making my mark" in the office and how it's something I've been struggling with since I started in my position. I am aware that I've made an impact in the office, but to me making my mark is that extra step. Making my mark means I'll be remembered in the future for the work I've done. I realized through the discussion after, that I won't really know if I've made a mark until I'm done. I think I'm focusing too much on what I can do to make my mark. I should be focusing on doing the best job I can right now. Did I make a mark with the marketing project? I guess I won't know until after I'm gone!