Kaynia Winn
Kaynia.winn@live.longwood.edu
Sociology: Family Science with a Minor in Psychology.
Around Richmond
My career aspirations has to be something with a consistent leadership opportunity and gain valuable skills.
Sociology 220
Age: 21, Gender: Female, Race: Black, Religion: Baptist, Income: 50k to 60k a year, Educational Background: college degree, Downtime: sleeping.
- Internal Dimensions: Race, Gender, & Physical Ability- I say Gender and Race because all of the women in my life are black, strong and independent. Physical ability has been a big thing for me because I value the fact that I can be physically healthy and it’s really important to me.
- External Dimensions: Education, Income, & Political Affiliation- Education because I will graduate from longwood with a bachelors in sociology with a family studies concentration and a minor in psychology.
- Organizational Dimensions: Work Location, Political Affiliation, & Functional Level/Classification- Work location has to be near my family no more than 30 minutes. Political Affiliation because I believe in change in the positive direction and the way with that is by having a view or stance politically. Funct./classification because to go along with both previous I want to work and live in a better country which goes along with class hierarchy.
- Four Identities: Identities for my future self are Income, Marital Status, Education and Parental Status.
Income: Income plays a crucial role in my life, directly influencing my overall well-being and future plans. I aim to earn no less than $60,000 a year because I believe this figure not only reflects my skills and efforts but also allows me to achieve my personal and financial goals. A stable income is essential for providing security, pursuing my passions, and ultimately building the life I envision for myself. It’s more than just a number; it’s about creating opportunities and a comfortable lifestyle.
Education: Education is number two on my list of priorities because it lays the foundation for my future success. A strong educational background opens doors to better job opportunities and equips me with the skills I need to excel in my career. I believe that investing in my education will not only enhance my knowledge but also boost my confidence and critical thinking abilities. It’s essential for personal growth and empowers me to pursue my passions and make informed decisions. Education is a key driver in achieving my goals and realizing my potential.
Marital Status: Marital status is third on my list of priorities because I’ve come to understand the financial implications of marriage through a class I took on the subject. I can confidently say I don’t plan to get married, as I believe remaining single allows me to maintain greater financial independence and flexibility. This choice means I can focus on my career and personal goals without the potential complications that marriage might bring. For me, prioritizing my financial well-being and personal freedom is essential, and I feel empowered in my decision to stay single.
Parental Status: Parental status is last on my list of priorities because I want to have one child, but I know that raising a child comes with significant mental, physical, financial, and emotional demands. I want to ensure that I’m in a stable place in my career before taking on this responsibility. It’s important to me to feel comfortable and secure, both professionally and personally, so I can provide a nurturing environment for my future child. I believe that planning and stability will allow me to be the best parent I can be, and that’s why I’m prioritizing my career and personal well-being first.
- Income: My income influences how I perceive myself and how others perceive me. A stable income helps me feel aligned with societal expectations of success, which can enhance my social standing. Earning a good income boosts my self-esteem by affirming my capabilities and hard work. It allows me to live comfortably and invest in my interests, contributing to a positive self-image. Achieving my financial goals increases my sense of self-efficacy. The belief that I can reach my desired income level reinforces my confidence in other areas of my life, as I see the results of my efforts. A stable income allows me to support myself and contribute to causes I care about, enhancing my sense of mattering. I feel that my financial contributions have a positive impact on my community, which affirms my value.
Marital Status: My choice to remain single shapes my social identity, allowing me to challenge societal norms around marriage. It helps me connect with others who value independence, fostering a sense of belonging within that community. Choosing not to marry can enhance my self-esteem, as it reflects my commitment to my values rather than conforming to external pressures. I take pride in my autonomy and the life choices I make. This decision reinforces my self-efficacy by emphasizing my ability to create a fulfilling life on my terms. I feel empowered in my independence, which translates into confidence in other areas. By prioritizing my personal growth and career, I feel that I matter not just to myself but also to those around me. I contribute to discussions about independence and self-fulfillment, which resonates with others.
Education: Education is a key component of my social identity, linking me to a community of learners and professionals. It shapes how I relate to others and positions me within societal hierarchies. Achieving educational milestones boosts my self-esteem, as I recognize my capabilities and intellect. This accomplishment provides a foundation for my future successes. Gaining knowledge and skills through education enhances my self-efficacy. I feel more capable of tackling challenges in my career and personal life, knowing I have the tools to succeed. Education allows me to contribute meaningfully to discussions and initiatives that matter to me. It empowers me to share knowledge and support others, reinforcing my sense of purpose.
Parental Status: My decision to have one child shapes my social identity as a future parent. It reflects my values and how I wish to engage with family and community. Planning for parenthood only after achieving stability boosts my self-esteem. It shows that I am prepared and responsible, which enhances my confidence as a future parent. Understanding the challenges of parenthood and planning accordingly increases my self-efficacy. I feel capable of handling the responsibilities of being a parent, knowing I will be in a stable position. My choice to have a child later reinforces my sense of mattering, as I want to provide a nurturing environment. This decision reflects my commitment to being a present and supportive parent, which I believe will have a lasting impact on my child’s life.
Professional Self Section: Reflection based on career seminar, resume’, cover letter, resume/cover letter reflection using impression management principles.
Personal Self:
My reasons for working include financial stability, a sense of purpose, and opportunities for personal growth. Achieving financial stability allows me to support myself and my loved ones while pursuing goals that align with my values. Finding purpose in my work fuels my passion and drives me to make a meaningful impact, whether through helping others or contributing to a larger mission. Additionally, my job serves as a platform for personal growth, challenging me to develop new skills and perspectives, ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of myself and my capabilities.
I am motivated by my family and a personal drive to persevere, particularly inspired by my mother’s resilience and sacrifices. Their unwavering support encourages me to strive for success and remain focused on my goals. The desire to make my family proud and to create a better future for them propels me forward, even in the face of challenges. This intrinsic motivation instills a sense of responsibility and determination, pushing me to overcome obstacles and pursue my aspirations relentlessly.
My “why” deeply influences my career path by guiding my choices and priorities. Financial stability motivates me to seek roles that offer growth potential and security, ensuring I can support myself and my family. The quest for purpose leads me to careers that align with my values, such as those focused on community service or education. Additionally, my desire for personal growth encourages me to seek out opportunities that challenge me and facilitate skill development, ensuring my career remains fulfilling and aligned with my long-term goals.
I have found great fulfillment in being a peer mentor, as it allows me to connect with others and make a positive impact on their lives. Working at the food bank also brings me joy, as I can help provide essential resources to those in need. Additionally, volunteering at local schools has been rewarding, as it enables me to support students in their academic journeys and encourage their personal development.
A future career in mental health counseling or social services can align seamlessly with my past experiences, allowing me to build on my passion for mentoring and community support. As a counselor, I can continue to empower individuals, much like I did as a peer mentor. Working in a role that focuses on addressing food insecurity or supporting youth development would also leverage my experiences at the food bank and in schools, creating a cohesive narrative in my career that emphasizes service, mentorship, and positive change.
I particularly enjoyed providing food at the food bank, as it allowed me to connect with people in need and witness the immediate impact of my efforts. Additionally, I found joy in working with students, as their eagerness to learn motivated me. Volunteering in community events also brought fulfillment, as I collaborated with others to create positive experiences for families.
While my experiences were largely positive, I found it difficult to witness the challenging circumstances many people faced, particularly regarding their well-being. It was disheartening to see children struggling with hunger and families in crisis. Additionally, I sometimes felt overwhelmed by the systemic issues that contribute to these challenges, making it hard to focus solely on the positive aspects of my volunteer work.
Hard Skills: Effective communication, Data analysis, Project management.
Soft Skills: Empathy, Adaptability, Problem-solving.
People would likely describe me as a compassionate listener, someone who can effectively communicate and relate to others. They would also note my ability to adapt to various situations and my knack for finding creative solutions to challenges. My peers might mention my dedication to helping others and my natural leadership qualities when working in team settings.
The coolest job i’ve heard of is my cousin’s who works as a wildlife conservationist, traveling to different countries to protect endangered species and their habitats. This job is amazing because it combines adventure with a commitment to environmental sustainability, making a tangible impact on the planet.
Three people who I can connect with to ask about their career journey are Dr. Alix Fink she works for longwood, my aunt who’s a school counselor, and possibly a professor to get their opinions and views on how teaching sociology is like just incase I change my mind.
My cover letter and resume reflect not only my past experiences as a student assistant and child care provider but also serve as a bridge to my future aspirations as a mental health counselor. In both roles, I developed essential skills that are transferable to counseling, such as empathy, active listening, and problem-solving. For instance, while working as a peer mentor, I learned how to support individuals from diverse backgrounds, which has prepared me to approach clients with sensitivity and understanding. My experience in child care required me to remain patient and adaptable, qualities that are crucial when working with clients facing emotional challenges. By emphasizing these roles and the skills I’ve honed, my resume and cover letter demonstrate my commitment to the mental health field and my readiness to apply my past experiences to help others navigate their own journeys. This reflection highlights not only my qualifications but also my genuine passion for making a positive impact in the lives of those I will serve as a counselor.
Resume and Cover Letter
Impression Management
Critical thinking: In regards to jobs is to be able to work through problems and think of solutions. Professionalism: How composed and near your speech or dress is regarding the situation. Communication: Being able to talk to anyone to solve something or get information. Teamwork: Being able to work with anyone to get something done no matter the situation. Leadership: Being able to control a group or lead people in the right direction. Technology: Being able to utilize a device to complete a task. Equity & Inclusion: Being able to include and be fair to anyone and everyone.
Importance of situated Identity: I demonstrated critical thinking by finding a solution to a problem while I was a daycare worker. I demonstrated professionalism by keeping calm and explaining a situation to a parent while they yelled while I was daycare worker. I demonstrated communication by making sure my project group knew their roles while I was a student. I demonstrated team work by doing this action while I was a peer mentor. I demonstrated equity & inclusion by making sure my more quiet mentees were involved with the group while I was a peer mentor.
Creating impressions through expressions: Avoid using a template and add specifics to why you’d be great at that job. Give them your strengths and give exprencies to back it up. Avoid entitlement, cockiness etc. I want people to see me as professional and mature and that I know what the job is and how to do. I want them to talk me like an adult and see me as one.
Front Stage and Back Stage: Performing and putting on a role in front stage for everyone to see and back stage is for preparing and finding props to use for front stage.
Self-Awareness, Self Monitoring and Self Disclosure: When being interviewed you must have self awareness and MUST self monitor at all times. For self disclosure you want them to know about you nothing too personal. Get professionally comfortable.
Identity Research:
I want to look at health and how identity is affected by it.
References:
1: Aneshensel, C. S., Phelan, J. C., & Bierman, A. (2013). Handbook of the sociology of mental health (2nd ed.). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4276-5
2: DuBrin, A. J. (2011). Impression management in the workplace: Research, theory, and practice. Routledge. https://site.ebrary.com/id/10432376
3: Ho, L.-A., Kuo, T.-H., & Lin, B. (2012). How social identification and trust influence organizational online knowledge sharing. Internet Research, 22(1), 4–28. https://doi.org/10.1108/10662241211199942
4: Jenkins, R. (2014). Social identity (4th ed.). Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=777653
5: Leary, M. R. (2019). Self-presentation: Impression management and interpersonal behavior (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429497384
6: Wearing, M. (2011). Social identity. Nova Science Publishers. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10686330
Synthesized Information:
Understanding how our sense of identity, the way we present ourselves to others, and our mental health are connected is important in both our personal and professional lives. Our social identity shapes how we interact with people and how we feel about ourselves. Impression management is the way we try to control how others perceive us, which can affect our social and professional relationships. Additionally, the way we identify with certain groups can impact our mental health, either helping or hurting our emotional well-being.
Our social identity is key to how we see ourselves and how we interact with others. Jenkins (2014) explains that social identity is a big part of how we understand our roles in society and how we relate to the people around us. The groups we belong to—whether it’s family, work, or social circles—shape how we behave and how we interact with others. Ho et al. (2012) focuses on the workplace, showing that when employees feel a shared sense of identity, it builds trust and encourages cooperation. This sense of belonging helps people work better together, share information, and feel more connected. Overall, our social identity plays a significant role in our relationships, both in personal life and at work.
Impression management is the way people control how they are seen by others, especially in social and professional settings. DuBrin (2011) describes different ways people manage their image at work, such as by promoting their strengths, being likable, or showing leadership qualities. These tactics can help improve relationships at work and lead to career advancement. Leary (2019) talks about how people use self-presentation to create good impressions in social situations, whether it’s in casual settings or at work. Both DuBrin and Leary show that how we present ourselves affects how we are perceived and can lead to better opportunities and stronger connections with others.
Our mental health is deeply connected to our social identity. Aneshensel, Phelan, and Bierman (2013) show that social factors, like the groups we belong to, can have a big impact on our mental health. They argue that if we belong to a group that is looked down upon or marginalized, it can lead to more stress and mental health issues, like anxiety or depression. Wearing (2011) adds that being part of a group, whether positive or negative, can affect how we feel emotionally. For example, people who are part of a stigmatized group might struggle more with mental health because of discrimination and prejudice. On the other hand, a strong, positive social identity can protect against stress and help us stay resilient. These studies highlight how our sense of belonging and how we identify with others can directly impact our mental health.
Social identity, impression management, and mental health are closely connected. Our social identity shapes how we see ourselves and how we interact with others, whether at work or in our personal lives. The way we manage our image affects how people perceive us, which can influence our success and relationships. Lastly, our sense of belonging to different social groups plays a major role in our mental well-being, either helping us stay mentally healthy or contributing to stress and anxiety. Understanding these connections can help us navigate social interactions more effectively, build stronger relationships, and improve our mental health.