Hello, my name is Hannah Gish! I am a student at Indiana Univeristy-Purdue University Indianapolis, majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Events Managment.  My most defining characteristic is that I am a people person.  However, I love being with others most when I am helping them.  This realization has guided me through everyday life as well as many of my most important life choices. 

Growing up in a family of seven, I quickly learned that life was not all about me, but rather about seeing the needs of others.  As I grew older, I continued to apply this invaluable lesson in other aspects of my life.  Throughout high school, my free time was often spent volunteering.  One of my most memorable experiences was serving as a summer camp counselor for elementary and middle school students.  Those summers and other service opportunities required me to summon and refine character qualities, such as patience, kindness, humility, generosity, and perseverance.  It was also during those times that I discovered my desire to positively impact the next generation and to eventually have a service oriented career. 

Many of my other character qualities and skills have stemmed from my heart for others.  I have been given the gift to be especially empathetic to what other people are going through, and this has many times helped me connect with others.  I also have strong organizational skills.  These are essential in my personal life as I balance academics with the rest of life’s demands.  My ability to organize has also proven valuable as I have planned and coordinated different events.  The encompassing quality of mine is that I am a highly motivated individual.  I have confidence that with exceptional work ethic, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

Over the next few years, I plan to continue to work towards a career in the non-profit sector.  While I know that the road ahead might have some unexpected challenges, I believe that every opportunity can be a learning experience that will ultimately help prepare me for the future.  By serving and being integrated in the community, my strength, rapport, and character will continue to develop. However, I ultimately hope to leave behind a legacy of doing even the smallest things with great love, and that my service was not about the costs that were involved for me, but about how lives were positively impacted.