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What’s Your Story?

By Susan Emery posted 05-13-2022 06:18 PM

  
AISAP Blog post,

On a recent WeAdmit podcast, I touched upon crafting personal narratives that I’ve continued to ponder. While the final product is our personal narrative, it’s the process that’s important and understanding that one’s personal narrative will continue to change throughout time. And yes, I'm writing this reflection on my phone on a rainy Saturday morning while waiting for the rest of my house to wake up.

The WHY
Before we go into the what and how, I like to employ Simon Sinek’s strategy of identifying the why. Why is crafting your personal narrative important? Because your story reveals your values. Your values highlight your brand, and when your brand connects with others, more people will believe in you. Your brand is also your promise that you're making to yourself and others through your values and your actions. Your personal narrative summarizes your why.

The WHAT
In addition to your values, what might you need as part of your personal narrative? Put pen to paper or type out an email to yourself that lists your values, your experiences, your skills, your hopes, your dreams, your fears, your failures, and your motivations. Start with bullet points! Once you have three to five words or phrases in each category, take a break and reflect again on your why.

The HOW
Next, how might you begin to develop your personal narrative to share? Craft short & memorable stories around your values & experiences. Talk to others in your profession and ask for guidance, feedback, and advice. Actively listen, take in what resonates, and archive what may come in handy at a later time. For example, I wasn’t joking when I said that in the winter of 2016, my position at a start-up school (that no longer exists) had been eliminated and I spent the next 7 months applying to over 70+ organizations and interviewing at about a dozen places. After each “thank you but no thank you,” I had to take a moment to have my feels, then find the courage to reach back out and ask what I could have done differently or said differently. I valued the information because I realized the narrative I thought I had to share was not in alignment with the needs of the office or position. A few comments have stayed with me, “I feel there’s nothing more I can teach you.” “You’re too sophisticated for us.” “You’re like a bulldozer.” The hard lesson learned was knowing how to not apologize for my experiences and my background. My mentors have helped me craft my narrative, reframe my experiences, work through challenging conversations and situations, and gave me the confidence to stay in this profession. Find those mentors and friends who can guide and advocate for and with you.

The WHEN
From my mentors to you, here comes my cheerleader moment: Own your narrative, take pride in your experiences, and surround yourself with folks you admire. If you hear that bell ringing, or you’ve got that itch, or you want more for yourself, NOW is the perfect time to be brave and take that next step in your admissions journey! (Seriously, stay in admissions because we need good people like you!) I stand by my statement that the process of going through interviews will help you shape your personal narrative. Those first few no's might hurt, however, you'll learn and grow from each search and land somewhere you're meant to be.



Susan Emery
Director of Enrollment Management
Kingswood Oxford School
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