My name is Annie Sichting, and I am currently a Junior at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. I am majoring in psychology, with a primary interest in the development and clinical aspects. I find this area of psychology so fascinating, because learning how humans develop and grow and the circumstances that make them the person that they are is a very beautiful thing. I have chosen psychology as my major, because I plan on becoming a mental health counselor. From a young age I have always wanted to help people, and this feels like the right way for me to do that. It is such an important and critical career and I hope to make a difference while pursuing it. This past year I have babysat for a family in the Indianapolis area. The children are eight, six and four. I have formed connections with them and feel like I am part of the family. I take care of them a few days a week, by cooking their meals, cleaning up after them, and playing with them. This job has made me a more responsible adult, along with teaching me how to care for children. Before I started college, I worked for a community pool for five years. I had roles in talking with customers on the phone, overseeing the cash register, and cleaning my surrounding area. I developed my people skills and learned how to deal with negative and positive situations. These two jobs have strengthened my skills and work values by making me a better leader, improving my communication and listening skills, and making me a more patient individual. I became a better leader while working at a community pool because I worked there for so long that I got the opportunity to train new workers. If one of my coworkers had a question or needed help, I was able to assist them. I have improved my communication and listening skills while babysitting. I have learned how to communicate efficiently and listen to the children I am with. It is very important that they are okay while in my hands, so I have had to adapt and learn how to react when they are upset, angry, etc. This has also helped me become a more patient individual, because I must be extremely careful how I react and try to be as calm as possible when something is wrong.