Reflection

           When deciding on a topic for my final paper I tried to focus specifically on issues that relate to me personally. I thought of all of the roles I take on in life until I decided to focus on the roles I am the most active with at this point—student and chemistry major. Then I thought of the times in which I felt discouraged from my major, particularly from the comments of other people. Many people have told me how much they dislike chemistry. I reflected on the anxiety I felt when the same people prompted me to rethink my decision, since I thought that there must be a reason people are so intimidated by this career. Then I remembered my boss encouraging my decision, saying “Great, a STEM major!” I researched STEM relating to women further and learned about the different initiatives encouraging girls to take on these careers. This made me decide upon this issue, especially since I also wanted to address women’s issues in my paper. I now think of myself as a “STEMinist,” and it makes me feel more empowered in my decision of a career path.
           Now at the end of the semester, I feel I am more developed as a writer and as a person. At the beginning of the semester I was unhappy writing papers because I was not thinking of writing as a form of self-expression, but as more of a task. Now I am more content with writing because I feel it is more enjoyable and is a great way to get my views across. I learned a lot about social activism over this course, and it changed my views on pacifism vs. activism. I now feel more inclined to be active for a greater cause due to the texts we have read, especially because of Soul of a Citizen. It made me realize I don’t have to be the most extroverted person to speak up because I can make a change in my own way, based off my own proficiencies. I learned that I have the potential to be just like the leaders I admire, merely because I am a human being with a capability for intelligent and creative thinking.