Assignment 16: What's Your Secret Sauce

1)    Describe five ways in which you think you have human capital that is truly unique.  

1)    Ability to get along with others. Unlike many people I know, I don’t have a group of friends that I stick with but rather I am friends with several different people and consider myself to be a very open and inclusive person. It’s really easy for me to get along with others, kids, teens, young adults, middle aged people…it doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, where you are from or how different you are from me, I love meeting new people and creating new relationships.

2)    Organized. Sometimes too much. I have calendars everywhere, about 3 in my room, not including my agenda and the one on my phone. I love planning my days, even to the minute if I can. I try to be as organized as possible with my work so I’m not stressing out last minute and so I can be ahead.

3)    Integrity. My values are what I believe to be the essence of who I am. I truly believe in doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. I always try my best to put myself in the shoes of others and be understanding and patient. I consider myself to be humble and compassionate to others and very simple in my way of life.

4)    Trilingual. I have loved languages my whole life. I am fluent in English , Spanish and French and am hoping to soon start my fourth language. Knowing these 3 languages has been incredibly beneficial to me and I know is a great asset for my career as well.

5)    Resilient. Despite the difficulties I have had in my life, I’ve always seen them as growing opportunities. I have never given up on myself and have always had the determination to move forward and pick myself up no matter how many times I fall.

2)    Interviews:

Mom

“Nicole has the gift of being unique in many wonderful ways. She is the type of human being that just with her presence you can sense there is something different and special in her. She is the type of person who can touch lives in a very positive way. Nicole has many qualities that are rare to find in today’s youth, for instance, she has a sense of responsibility  and integrity in work as in life that move her to lead her actions accordingly with a sense of duty, values and principles that go even beyond placing herself before others or even before society’s pressure to try to fit in.

She is smart and funny! Not to mention she has a beautiful smile that shines and the most amazing contagious laugh! She is polite and respectful. She can bring light into every situation by being able to find the positive and the lessons to be learnt as good outcomes. She can receive and give opinions while maintaining a constructive outlook.  She can listen, she can cooperate, she is patient, tolerant, attentive, strong minded but kind, analytical, studious, organized and very hard working (never a mediocre) when she sets her heart into something.

She is very talented with languages, music, writing and with photographic/visual composition.  Nicole’s background and exposure to many cultures and peoples from different upbringings, and the fact that she has lived in different countries has shaped her personality, traits, abilities and interests. She can adapt to challenges and be resourceful and resilient. She can be openminded, ingenious and purposeful as she has even learnt to play and dance typical and folkloric dances when searching into her family roots and ancestors.  She enjoys being able to connect with people and being fluent in 3 languages while aiming at learning more is definitely proof of her dedication and sense of being a true citizen of the world, not to mention her love for nature and commitment with environmental causes.”

Dad

“Describing a person is not easy. Regarding you, what I can say is that you are a responsible, intelligent, organized person who has personal, family and social values ​​that make you different from many other people.  You respect the environment, take care of it.  You are sensitive to circumstances; you learn from them and seek their solution.  You try to be better every day and do your best to make this world a better place.”

Grandmother  

“When I think of you, I think of how fun you are! I love that you’re like that because your energy is contagious. You are disciplined, responsible when you have academic obligations, that’s how I always think of you. Not just that but you are always laughing or have a smile on your face, make the people around you happy. If there is sadness, people leave that aside because there is someone who radiates joy. That’s how I see you. Never change please!”

Aunt

When I think of Nicole, I think of her smile and laughter! She is a fun, caring, loyal and very kind girl, who is always looking to strive in whatever she does. She has a great talent for music and singing and has an amazing ability to learn different languages. She is strong minded and works hard to achieve her goals!! Nicole has always shown an inner strength and spirituality that make her very special to those around her. She has always been very down to earth, and centered, and likes to enjoy the company of her family and friends. She has a heart of gold!

Best friend

"Nicole is truly someone I aspire to be. First off, she’s so strong emotionally. Even when she thinks she’s weak, she never is. She always overcomes everything life throws her way and she does it so well. Her values of family and friendship are without question so strong. She’s intelligent, funny, generous, and pure at heart. She has an immense amount of determination and she never gives up. Which is part of what makes her so strong. Especially in academics she is very determined and organized. She organizes everything in such a way that helps her thrive and I wish I could do the same. She’s also an amazing student because of the genuine care that she puts into her work."

3)    Reflect on the differences.

Surprisingly, I feel like every interview touched on the five characteristics I gave myself. I feel like they were all correct about me and honestly, I was surprised at all the good things they had to say about me.  I was specially surprised as to how almost every single person commented on my laughter and smile. I must however note that I don’t always see myself like this, but I can say that I try to give as much love as I can to those I love and enjoy every moment as much as I can.