Sheelagh McCarthy

 

I’m Sheelagh McCarthy, and I’m from Farmington, Michigan.  I am an Environmental Geosciences Major (similar to geology but with more of an environmental science focus) with an Education Minor and an Environmental Studies Specialization. By the end of my summer courses, I will officially be a graduate of Michigan State!

My goal for taking EAD 315 is to not only gain more leadership skills, but also learn how to apply them to a variety of settings. I have been nominated to serve in the Peace Corps starting next winter as an Environmental Education Coordinator. This will probably be the most demanding leadership role I have ever had, so I am hoping to gain as many skills as possible to make me a better leader and to serve the country I am placed in to the best of my ability. 

During this summer, I am taking courses at Michigan State to finish up my degree. I am also volunteering at the Student Organic Farm to spend time outside in the dirt, along with learning more about organic farming and how to grow a variety of foods. Because it will be my last summer in the states for a couple of years, I plan on enjoying my time to the fullest! I will be down at my family's lakehouse on Lake Erie sailing, swimming, and boating, along with camping with my friends on the west side of Michigan. 

My leadership artifact would be a a compass.   My main leadership roles involve being a camp counselor nature instructor as well as a sailing instructor. It’s important to have a sense of direction both literally and figuratively in these settings, whether you’re leading a group through a woods, out on the water, or even in a discussion, so that my group could trust and follow me. It also can be applied to the new role I will have as a leader serving in the Peace Corps, because it represents traveling and seeing the world. While a compass shows you the basic direction to a point, it is ultimately up to me as the leader to decide and lead the route to get there.