I've had the pleasure of working with kids ever since I was first employed at the age of thirteen. Whether it be as a babysitter, camp lifeguard, swim coach, or even a student teacher you could say I knew the ins-and-outs of working with children.

Obviously I had my fair share of good and bad memories, but overall I loved working with children and found it very rewarding...Now almost six years later, I am starting to prepare for a more professional realm of the workforce, which doesn't involve working with children, and can't help but feel scared. A new environment with new challenges. Am I ready for this?

“Everybody we meet has an influence on us and an impact - good or bad. And I think that’s why we have to be careful with the way we handle people because what we’re doing is making an impact”-Ernie Harwell

One of the most important roles a person can have is to influence another. The countless summers of, what I once believed to be trivial, work had a huge impact on my life, and I didn't even realize it! I was influencing the children I worked with and I was completely oblivious to the power of my own actions. What a terrifying thought. If it was so easy for me to forget how I could positively influence someone, just imagine how easy it can be to negatively influence someone.

I realized that my lack of consciousness was something a lot of people struggle with. We don't realize.

Part of our responsibility as good samaritans is to be mindful of our actions. If it doesn't effect me, then it isn't a problem. As a whole, we need to change the ways in which we think and act, and stop encouraging ignorance--because that never will grant any positive change. The experiences I've had working with children have taught me the importance of speaking-out for whats right, and leading by example. Rather than look back on my teenage work experience as a waste of time, or an easy way to make money, I have a new-found appreciate for it. Who knew a few kids could teach such a huge lesson?