The Philosophy of ME

My Philosophy Statement

By: Katelyn Cannon

April 27, 2009

Adult education starts with a thirst for knowledge. A need to learn; Adults should assume the obligation to learn to become more productive citizens. Also, with the knowledge that every conscious adult can learn, there is no limit to what I can teach the world.

My goal and ultimate philosophy in life is to serve God by using my talents that he has given me to help his people. Everyone on this earth has a right to live together in a community, to grow and mature, and they need to learn how to do this. The professional path that I am taking is in Human resources, the recourses that businesses often times forget to nurture. They are adults that seek fulfillment and happiness in their lives. It is my passion to facilitate adult education that is designed to help people grow and mature.

As my journey at Alverno comes to a close, I was invited to reflect and assess my time and my growth at Alverno. While working on my degree I was taught many things in some of the most unlikely places, by some of the most unlikely people and at some of the most inconvenient times. I may not have been the best student in class, and I may not have been as motivated to get my homework in on time, but there are values and disciplines that I experienced and learned that have changed my life. My procrastination has been a hindrance to my journey, but my friendships that have been forged and my drive to accomplish my goals has been my saving grace. I have learned to take my time and to really make the effort to accomplish my tasks with accuracy and a well thought out model.

By using my skills, which I have developed at Alverno and my course outcomes; I have been able to use the following skills to effectively counsel and obtain my goals. Effective questioning is using certain questions to bring forth the in-depth information that an employee needs to tell me that they might be too embarrassed or scared to tell me. Next by actively listening I am able to gather that information and paraphrase summarize or clarify it in my mind and with my employee to ensure the accurate information was communicated. Next, by reflecting and validating their concern or question I am making them feel as though their trust and vulnerability was not in vain, and that I will try to help as much as possible. In my communication back to the employee with the correct information, I use the vocabulary that they know, and make sure that the information is understood by the employee. Then by both arriving at an agreement with the information and decisions made there is a closure and validity to my position and their clarification.

My goal is to continue my education and to become a part of a free and democratic society. I must strongly emphasize lifelong learning for all of the citizens if they propose to remain free and use their freedoms effectively.

"Each of us has a spark of life inside us, and our highest endeavor ought to be to set off that spark in one another."
- Jenny Ausubel