Page 279 - Keys To Community College Success

revisit RISK AND REWARD

What happened to Gaile? Gaile’s Honors 100 course One list identifies people who
instructor Dr. Barbara Clinton, also the head of the Highline you know well, who already
honors program, helped her express her strengths in her support you and care about
portfolio and résumé and take productive risks toward the you. The other list identifies
rewards she sought. After Gaile shared her financial con- people you don’t know as well but
cerns, Dr. Clinton helped her find and win scholarships for that you admire and feel you could learn from.
which she was eligible. With newfound confidence, Gaile Choose one person from each list and brainstorm a short
took risks that rewarded her with employment authoriza- paragraph about what you think you need from that per-
tion from the Immigration and Naturalization Service and son as a mentor.
a job as a critical care nurse technician. She graduated in
2007 and started working as a registered nurse. She has What risk may bring reward beyond your world? Your
completed a bachelor’s in nursing from the University of needs are important and so are the needs of others.
Washington at Tacoma, and will soon have permanent Risk reaching beyond your world to mentor someone
resident status. 5 who could use your help. Check out www.mentoring.
org as a start to find out more about what mentoring
What does this mean for you? Everyone needs a person involves and what kinds of programs are already in
who can be a “resource for life,” like Dr. Clinton was for place for people who want to mentor others. Look
Gaile. This person can help bring out strengths and pro- into a program from that website, a program at your
vide support and encouragement as you take risks. Who college or in your community, or start making more
could be your resource for life? Make two lists, each regular contact with someone in need on your own.
with at least five people’s names (friends, family, faculty, Your presence will reward the person you mentor, as
work acquaintances, anyone you know personally). well as yourself.

RISK
ACTION
RISK ACTION

FOR COLLEGE, CAREER, AND LIFE REWARDS

Complete the following on paper or in digital format.

KNOW IT Think Critically

Build basic skills. Review the five actions for cultural competence earlier in this chapter. Reread
the suggestions for Action 5: Adapt to Diverse Cultures on pages 227–228. For the three strate-
gies listed at the top of the next page, give a real-life version (something you’ve done or know
someone else has done). For example, by choosing to wear a blindfold for an entire day as part
of a “Blind for a Day” experience, students put themselves in other people’s shoes.

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