Page 139 - Keys To Community College Success

student PROFILE

Jacob Rudolph

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY,
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

About me: showed the list to a teacher who pointed out that all of my “cons”
I am a freshman currently pursu- were hypothetical, while most of my “pros” were definite. This
ing a degree in music business. I helped me realize that anytime we fear something, it is because
am also an advocate for LGBT we are forced to reconcile the unknown.
teens for the Human Rights Campaign. As a high school senior, Working efficiently is a constant struggle for me. After coming
I publicly came out as LGBT in front of over 300 classmates at a out of the closet, however, I can honestly say that I have become
school awards ceremony, and plan to continue working on more productive than ever. When I took action to face my problems
behalf of the LGBT community during college and throughout head-on, a major source of stress and concern in my life trans-
my life. formed into something wonderful and healthy.

What I focus on: What will help me in the workplace:

To me, every decision deserves consideration proportional to its My experience has given me confidence that I am my own person,
magnitude. The biggest decision I have made was when I publicly and certainty that nothing should be allowed to restrain all of the
came out of the closet. Realizing the situation’s importance, I took potential we have cooped up inside of us. This attitude will help
three days to draft up a list of pros and cons regarding the ramifi- me excel in any job or career that lies ahead, as will my ability to
cations of coming out in the manner in which I wanted. I listed all understand the reality of a problem, identify outcomes, and take
of my fears as well as the outcomes for which I could only have action. Productivity is the name of the game, and problem-solvers
hoped. Still left with much uncertainty about the situation, I produce.

■ Combine all three thinking skills to accomplish your goals, knowing when and
how to apply your analytical, creative, and practical abilities.
■ Believe in your skills as a thinker.
“Successfully intelligent people,” says Sternberg, “defy negative expectations,
even when these expectations arise from low scores on IQ or similar tests. They do
not let other people’s assessments stop them from achieving their goals. They find
their path and then pursue it, realizing that there will be obstacles along the way
and that surmounting these obstacles is part of the challenge.” Let the obstacles
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come, as they will for everyone, in all aspects of life. You can take the risk to face
them, and earn the reward of overcoming them, with the power of your successfully
intelligent thinking.

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