Who can say that they spent their childhood wishing to never make a difference or not amount to something great in their life? Furthermore, who could refuse an opportunity to be great and do great things if it was packaged up in pretty paper, a smart bow, required little to no effort, and was free for the taking? Frankly, no one would! Simply the desire to be something great in life is not enough. You need drive, determination, perseverance, and a plan.
For some people greatness seems to be their destiny, a path predetermined, chosen just for them. For others, like me, greatness is a conscience choice. In the last year and a half I have studied the work of B.F. Skinner. Skinner and his associates were of the mind that a behavior, once displayed in the environment, then operates based on the contingencies of that environment. Using this as a base you could then determine that if the environment changed so would the behavior. Today this process is called operant conditioning. This research opens up countless possibilities for all living things that display behaviors. Being able to communicate with those who cannot, without the use of physical manipulation or other alternative means of therapy, is a refreshing concept. Operant conditioning is being used all over the world for both people and animals. My path to doing great things lies with helping adults, children, as well as animals that have been given up on. The working mom who thinks organizing her life is next to impossible, a “bad” dog set to be euthanized, the “problem” child, the developmentally delayed, and, most of all, Autistic children and their families will be my focus going forward.
My journey through higher learning will most certainly take me to an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis, and with high probablility a doctorate. With this degree I will begin researching new and better ways to improve on the programs already in place for Autistic and developmentally delayed children, and develop new and better ways to alleviate the daily stressors that come with having these special children in your life. Behavior Analysis will allow me to fulfill my dream of greatness. I am not in it for recognition or money; I am in it to make a difference. I will do great things with my education, because I am driven to succeed in my quest, not for my sake, but for all living things that need hope. I am determined to make a difference in the world. I will persevere to bring to fruition the plan I have set out for my life regardless of the obstacles put before me. Drive, determination, perseverance, and planning is what sets me apart from my peers; and these four attributes will see me through hardships that I will inevitably meet along the way. With faith in myself and the support of my loved ones my name may not be world renowned, but I am hopeful my work will be.
