I know we're all tired of hearing "New Year, New Me" and resolutions (whether our own or other) that won't be maintained through out the year, but let's be real, even if our resolutions are broken within the first month of the new year, doesn't mean that 2019 will be a bust. So I decided to give one of my new year resolutions and plans of action to accomplish them. *Side note, I'm definitely thinking of making this a YouTube video...okay back to what we were talking about...

So as you read previously, this was my first year of being a teaching assistant but that's not where I want to end. Ultimately, I want to be a tenure professor at somebody's university or college (preferably warm location), but that's not going to be handed right to me, right? So what's my plan on achieving this? Well, the applied behavior analysis student in me tells me to look at it as like a task analysis. Simply, what that means is breaking down one big goal in to smaller, attainable goals that help you achieve the main goal. Make sense? So using my example of becoming a professor after I earn my doctorate, what could I do currently to prepare myself for this future role (speak it into existence y'all)? 1. I became a teaching assistant for the university I attend, which has been an eye opener within the first year of doing it. 2. I've been checking out the local colleges and universities out here in Pitt to see if there are openings for faculty, but I've been focusing on the community college primarily to become an adjunct professor. 3. Do not give up, even if you feel discouraged because I've been there, but I also know I'm destined to do amazing things and make an impact. 4. Get more involved in your field and network! I promise you, only good can come from the experiences you've gone through and the people you come in contact with. One day I'll get to that tenure professor role, but for now I'm just taking the necessary steps to get there, even if the path switches up on me to get there.

I hope it helps someone in some way whether they are in academia or not. But, I think breaking down a big goal we have set for ourselves will have a higher likelihood of being accomplished if we break it down into smaller goals to attain. Like I said, I'm definitely thinking about making this little blog post a YouTube video, so stay tuned!

-Candace