Identity Portfolio Part One
The Social Identity Wheel
Age: 18
Gender Identity/Expression: Female
Gender: Female
National Origin: The United States of America
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Mental/Physical Ability: Physically able, struggle with mental illness
Race/Ethnicity: White
(ResearchGate)
Exploring Identities
The parts of my identity that help me grow as a person and connect me with others are the most important to me. My gender expression, female, connects me with lots of strong, amazing, and admirable women in a unique way that is central to who I am. I unfortunately struggle with my mental ability, as I deal (like many others) deal with mental health issues. While at times this can be disheartening, I feel that overall, my mental illness has helped me find more meaning in my life and identity. I want to continue to use these parts of my identity to help connect me with others and form new relationships, in addition to also developing my sense of self and purpose.
Identities & Self Concept
The female gender (including those who present as female) have a very supportive and uplifting bond that I benefit from every day. The women around me encourage and accept me in such a way that it improves my self-esteem and influences how I use my behavior to contribute back to other’s identities, too. By forming relationships with others who share this part of my identity, I not only feel a sense of belonging in the group but also form an understanding that I matter to those around me. Because these contributions from others mean so much to me, I always try to return the favor and uplift other women around me with kindness and love. I see supporting other women as an immense accomplishment, which then contributes to my self-efficacy.
Mental ability can refer to a number of things, but to me, it reflects the role that mental health plays in shaping my identity. Mental illness can be debilitating, but I am fortunate enough to have countless friends and family members who support me through difficult times. Their support and kindness helps me rebuild and reinforce my self-esteem, which can sometimes suffer at the hands of mental illness. Although it is impossible to control one’s own mental health, I have created tools and strategies to help me through rough patches, which provides me with a sense of accomplishment and efficacy. Lastly, it’s no secret that mental illness can make a person feel isolated and unimportant. The relationships I’ve forged with others and how they help me in my times of need, however, shows me that I matter to them and in life.
Career & Identity
What have been some of my most meaningful projects or experiences in my life?
- Running an outreach program for kids from surrounding counties
- Running a book drive to give out free books to elementary and middle school students
- Attending the Governor’s School of Southside Virginia
What activities are so energizing to me that they make me lose track of time?
- Reading (my favorite genre is psychological thriller)
- Crafting
- Baking cupcakes, cakes, brownies, cookies, and more
- Watching Big Brother and other reality TV shows
How would my close family and friends describe strengths and skills?
- Kind and empathetic
- Resilient
- Outgoing
- Driven
What do others ask my help for? What can I teach others?
- Others come to me for support, advice, and to vent
- I am an advocate for others and especially those in need
- I can help others open their minds to learning and growth by doing so myself
Whom do I admire? Why?
- My parents: They show immense amounts of resilience and are always willing to grow
- My significant other: He always has an open mind, is strong in the face of adversity, and is always willing to give to others.
- My friends: They are all genuine, generous, understanding, and supportive of me and others.
What kind of impact do I want to have?
- I want to help people live a life that they love
- I want to reduce other’s suffering by providing them a safe, supportive space
What job roles or careers most interest me now?
- Clinical Psychologist
- Foster Mom
- Head of a non-profit
What is the coolest job I have ever heard of? Why is it so great?
- Children’s Museum Designer: A creative outlet that embraces child-like whimsy
- Interior Designer: Another creative outlet that allows you to help create someone’s dream home
My Job Factors Evaluation
*Scale of 1-10, 1 being of the most importance to me and 10 being the least
- Job Function (Will you find the work meaningful?)
- Culture and Values (Mission, values, vision)
- Learning/Growth Opportunities (Advancement opportunities, building skills)
- Time Commitment (Hours per week, weekends, after hours)
- Compensation (Average pay, salary vs. hourly, benefits, etc.)
- Organizational Size (What environment you’re best suited for)
- Risk/Security (Stable position/industry)
- Supervisory Relationship (How closely you work with your supervisor)
- Industry (Does the industry matter more than what the job entails)
- Geography/Remote Work (Specific state, hybrid, remote, in-person, traveling)
Works Cited
“Diversity Wheel.” ResearchGate, October 2017, https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Diversity-Wheel-as-used-at-Johns-Hopkins-University-12_fig1_320178286.