COOP1000: CHEM1040 Learning Assistant
During my sophomore year, I became a learning assistant for general chemistry, where I was tasked with assisting students in and out of lecture. This consisted of explaining chemistry concepts and problems to students to maximize their confidence in lecture material and their ability to do problems individually. In addition, I was enrolled in the COOP1000 course to reflect on my professional identity and goals developed during my role. These reflections included discussion boards, surveys, and short writings. In my final assignment, I was able to holistically analyze my professional skill development and evaluate my goals, which highlighted how I grew and learned throughout the semester (see below).
This course allowed me to learn how to set expectations and boundaries, articulate on SMART goals, communicate professionally, and evaluate cross-cutting skills. In doing so, I was able to figure out the best ways to conduct myself professionally and as a leader in my on-campus co-op. One of the most important things I learned was how to set boundaries for myself and my students to cultivate mental well-being. This means that when I worked with
students, I would always ensure to give 100% of my effort, but let them know when things are out of my hands and need to be taken to someone with more experience or understanding. By doing this, I made sure that I wasn't taking on more than what was expected of me and forgetting to do what is best for myself and my well-being.
Overall, this experience impacted me by helping me explore my passion for teaching other students and understanding how I can do so in a professional and friendly manner. I was also able to learn more about myself and why I feel so driven to serve my community, and how I can apply my knowledge to future experiences.