Olivia Claire Wurm

I just want to start out by saying, not every graduate will walk across the stage with a 9-5 job lined up and ready to go. As a matter of fact, most won’t. Which, in my humble opinion, is not as great of a start to the rest of our lives as I would have originally hoped for at this time in my life. But, it is what it is. And that’s something that I cannot change.

And so, here goes-my skills and attributes that I feel make me more of an individual that just a piece of paper with a name on it.

Loyalty

When it comes to loyalty, it’s something many people feel they have, but don’t fully understand. Loyalty comes from awareness and understanding-an awareness and understanding of oneself in relation to another organization or relationship and realizing the value that one has as part of that relationship as a whole. Personally, I have found my loyalty in friendships, commitments, work, and education. I appreciate the other half of the relationship that I’m in and work tirelessly to allow the other half to feel that I appreciate he, she, or it (an organization).

Compassion

Compassion can be a misunderstanding for some folks. I believe that compassion encompasses all of the care, love, sincerity, and passion that a person has for another person or entity. I show compassion in volunteering and my relationships. I began volunteering for my hometown Humane Society a few years ago; and though I was not able to go everyday, it was the highlight of my day when I was helping. Whether cleaning out cages, playing, or donating old pet beds/blankets, my love for animals ended up making me truly satisfied and fulfilled when I was able to show them compassion and care.

Hilarity

You may not find out right away, or within the first week, but man am I funny. Not only do other people laugh at me, but I crack up at myself-which sometimes is the reason the other person is laughing in the first place. I’m not stand up comedian level by any means, but I have the ability to laugh and laugh at myself-which is sometimes needed in life!

Machine-like Work Ethic

By this I simply mean I am a hard worker who never, ever gives up. When things have to be done, they have to be done. References and past coworkers would agree, whether everyone knows about a task or I am the only one, I am the first one to spring into action when something needs to be taken care of. I am very proud of my work ethic and am on cloud 9 when someone compliments me for how hard I work, it’s just something engrained in me as an employee.

As a graduated Advertising/PR major at Loyola University Chicago, I’ve been thinking a lot deeper about my future in the past few weeks. Thinking about what doors are coming to a close and what doors are being held open for me. I’m thankful for my education, my family and friends, my life, my good fortune and well-being, and the amazing things that will happen in my future.