“Making change” is something that has been so important to me since I was little, but with my imposter syndrome, I don’t really feel like I am making change sometimes. I remind myself that making a change can be something so little. I have these grand dreams of me being a Supreme Court Justice and end all systemic problems, but I make change in my community every day. I have focused my life around public service work, which is a more obvious way I make a change in my community. I am currently doing an outreach internship with the League of Women Voters NYC where I am trying to get more Hunter students registered and more knowledgeable about voting and more likely to vote. I love this because so many people don’t see how important voting is to them, but if we increase turnout numbers, it could change history in the same way Georgia changed history in the runoff elections. I also have a social media campaign where I create easily-digestible infographics with voting information to try to inundate my followers. I also volunteer at an immigration law firm and help with pro bono cases. But depending on what you mean by your community, how you make “change” could mean anything. For example, I make a change in my work community by being positive. That has an effect on the staff, and thus is a change in my community. Being a good friend, being a good person in general reflects being someone who makes a change. Even little things, like when I got 7 new Hunter students registered to vote all by myself, are how change gets made. Change needs to happen on every level, on the small and large scales. Spouting my ideas and what I learn in my classes to everyone I know makes a change in my community; it makes the people around me more educated on issues relating to human rights. Having an open mind could be said to make a change, but it all depends on what you consider a change. For me, I think the little things matter just as much!!
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Hello Ellie,
I just want to say that I admire the work that you provide not only for your school, but for the community around you. It’s definitely noticeable that you are very involved and passionate about helping others and creating change for the betterment of society. Kudos to you for taking initiative! We need more people like you in this world. You are absolutely correct when you talk about how change is important on both spectrums, on the smaller scale and the larger scale. The little things always matter, and tackling the smaller scale issues helps us broaden or views for the bigger pictures. You are an inspiration. Continue your dreams of being a Supreme Court Justice, and continue to educate those around you! I am rooting for you!
Hey Ellie,
I think you should give yourself way more credit! You seem to be super committed and helping out your community on multiple levels. It takes a lot of initiative and drive to not only get people registered to vote but to also manage a social media campaign. Imposter syndrome can hit super hard but I think you’ve totally shown how you work hard not only for yourself but for the people around you. I think big dreams and goals also help keep people focused and energized while they work towards making changes, so keep working towards those dreams!
Hi Ellie,
It’s great to read about all of the work you do to create positive change. I think you’re absolutely right that little things add up to make change. One thing that I disagree with you on: registering seven people to vote is a big accomplishment! Every vote matters, and elections can be decided by razor-thin margins.
I also like how you expand the concept of “making change” in your community. You suggest that such changes don’t have to be concrete and measurable to be meaningful. You mention how being positive at work can improve the atmosphere for everybody. You’re right, even though this is not easily measurable in the same sense as registering 7 people to vote is. Congratulations on all of your work so far; people like you make the world a better place!