Autobiography

Nathali Rosa

Autobiography

Prompt: What is your Youth Development Autobiography

When I graduated high school, I knew that I wanted a career that involved working with students. This is why as soon as I started my first year of college I registered as an education major. I always knew that I wanted to work in a school setting. Now, I know that I want the chance to work with students who need more assistance, and resources outside of school. When I graduated high school and started my college courses it was not too easy keeping up with my classes. All the rules that the school of education had, held me back from continuing my degree in education. When I found out that youth development was an option for me I was thrilled. I decided to be a Youth development major my junior year! Not because things did not work out in my previous major, but I figured that I was made to be a youth worker. There was a point in my life when I knew that this was the best fit for me. I wanted to be more than a teacher. Working at the YMCA helped me make my final decision about my career. The YMCA let me take training that helped me learn more about working with youth. I was also able to learn more about the different types of opportunities that youth workers can be involved in. The different roles that I familiarized myself with were family engagement, director for an after-school program, enrichment specialist etc. All the different opportunities that I listed were all really interesting roles that I learned about. After learning about the different careers a youth worker can be part of I knew I made the right choice. I will always be thankful for being part of the YMCA because I learned more about myself. I learned, that I wanted to be involved in a student's life outside of the classroom. I think that kids get more resources from the after-school programs offer. As youth workers, we have a great opportunity, and that is to have the ability to build great relationships not only with the students but the families too.

I am really happy!!!! that I choose Youth development as my major. I know there are different great opportunities in the world that involve this major that I will be a great fit for. I know that there are a variety of choices that I can choose from when I do have more experience. In the long run, my goal is to create my own organization, and I think that all the help that I am receiving now from awesome Youth workers on campus will help me reach my goal.