Journey of Amal Career-Prep Fellowship
A positive reflection of my journey from 😞 to 😊
Amal Academy provides an environment for you to move forward. The benevolent nature of its teachers, the learning environment and the effort to set something apart enhance your learning process.
Amal academy offers you a complete package for growing as a professional. There are abundant opportunities to learn new things. Your learning is contagious to your positive attitude. A positive attitude lets you relax and remember your shorting comings. It helps you to focus and absorb information as you learn. You’re ready to welcome new experiences and recognize many different kinds of learning opportunities. And when you can see opportunities, hope increases.
I can remember that how I was used to spending my daily hours in loneliness, working in my room. I still remember how did I love quiet conversations about feelings or ideas but seemed awkward and dumped in groups and maladroit in small talks. Yes! I was an introverted person. But at the same time, I was trying to get rid of this nature of mine.
I joined Amal Academy just because of my friend Usama. When we joined the fellowship, we were having our final exams. Considering the importance of exams I did not attend the first 2 sessions. When we were done with our exams, we started paying attention to this fellowship. The work burden was so high that about half of the fellows from my batch were dropped off within the first 3 weeks. Even my friend Usama was dropped off from the fellowship. oops!…. Yes! you’re thinking right, after this incident I was about to leave the fellowship. And then there came a turning point in my life. My PM (Program Manager) announced that in the coming few days you would be running a fundraising drive for Edhi Foundation.
I was always thinking to do something for the deprived people of our society. I believe that being able to work for and give back to those in need helps you achieve a greater sense of personal satisfaction and growth, it feels good to help others. So, I decided to continue my fellowship as I got something inspiring to do.
I along with my mega circle fellows collected funds for the Edhi foundation. Before practically indulging myself in this campaign, I was confused that how I would be able to collect donations? how I would ask people to give their money? I got answers to these questions from my mega circle members. We conducted meetings to discuss how we would approach people for donations. So, I was learning the procedure to be an extrovert. I was impressed by the remarkable interpersonal skills of my batch fellows. I decided to go the extra mile by paying more focus on my communication skills. I called different people in the circle and explained the purpose of this donation drive. While I was working on this project, my perspective on people changed. Previously, I thought these kinds of jobs could be done government. I thought the government has to change the everyday parameters of behavior for its citizens. But the happiness of the individual is their responsibility. I realized that society accomplishes and appreciates your good work. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of satisfaction. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.
This project changed my opinion of people. I was presuming that everyone cares about him/herself. But I was wrong. It is our personal choice. In fact, we as humans naturally have the drive to prefer comfort over pain. Most of us do not feel and share the pain of others. But sharing the pain of others creates a strong bond. Some people love to work for others, who share the pain of others, who break the walls of their comfort zone to serve the community.
When I told my friends about this donation drive, they appreciated me and wished me the best of luck. Some of my friends participated as volunteers to spread my message. Their appreciation and support helped me to work more efficiently on this project. It gave me a sense of purpose and meaning.
At the end of the donation drive, we were able to collect a handsome amount of donations. I was so happy because I learned new things, I was able to connect with people and it helped me to be more social.
We should learn from our past as the good experience gives us happiness and the bad experience gives us learning. We should forget the past but never repeat the mistakes that we had done in the past. Looking back, I would not presume the behavioral aspects of people. I would not label and place them in a box. I would avoid the lone ranger syndrome by pushing myself in the conversations and situations where I feel vulnerable. I would focus and talk about the things that energize me, my skills and my passion. I would try to be myself. Yes! I would not label myself an introvert anymore 😊
