Personal Introduction
About Me
Hi! My name is Jasmine Pel and I use she/ her pronouns. I am a biracial mix of Filipina and white and I am from Lynnwood, Washington. I am currently a fourth year student at the University of Washington. I am working towards obtaining a B.A. in Psychology and ECO (Education, Communities, and Organizations) with a minor in Diversity and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. I have been working in customer service for over three years while simultaneously volunteering at multiple locations within the education realm with positions ranging from a Classroom Volunteer to an After School Tutor. These experiences have provided me with various interpersonal skills such as improved time management, communication, and leadership. I am always in search of opportunities where I can apply my skills and expand my knowledge.
Core Values
Adaptability
Empathy
Equity
Organization
Teamwork
When working with people, the interactions can be unpredictable. Adaptability is the ability to accommodate to any given circumstance which enables success despite adversity. It is important to be flexible in an environment that is constantly changing. This allows for innovative solutions to be found for any issues that may arise.
Having an empathetic space means that it is responsive regardless of one’s background and allows for relationships and connections to be built. Understanding the lives and experiences of those around you is necessary to create a setting that is accepting and receptive.
Equity is a significant part of the wellbeing of entire societies. It promotes fairness and social justice by acknowledging the histories and experiences attributed to diverse identities. This helps members of the community develop a sense of belonging, inclusion, and opportunity.
Organization refers to the logical process of ordering and arrangement. Productivity often relies on the planning that has been completed before completing a task. This structure is key as it is an efficient time saver because it avoids chaos and complications within communication.
Teamwork means working together to utilize each other’s talents and skills in a way that is effective in distributing the workload and holding each other accountable. Establishing trusting relationships is essential to the functionality of any work atmosphere. Social settings frequently rely on group morale, cooperation, and support amongst team members.
Leadership Identities
Customer Service Provider
I work as Sales Support at Pinkabella Cupcakes in the food industry where I constantly have to communicate with customers and provide friendly, fast-paced service. I am drawn to working with people and every job that I have held has involved varying types of interaction. The level of collaboration that these positions have required has helped me to grow more responsible and accountable.
Student Learning Facilitator
I was a Classroom Volunteer at Lynnwood Elementary school in a third grade class. I helped guide the students through SBA test practice, homework review, and one on one work. This experience helped me to consider myself as able to make a genuine impact in the classroom as well as build meaningful relationships with students and teachers.
Diversity and Inclusion Supporter
I volunteered as an After-School Tutor at East African Community Services. The majority of the students who attended the program were East African, so I worked with other volunteers to ensure a culturally responsive classroom environment for them. As a diversity minor, I have learned just how relevant it is to be open-minded and well-versed in the cultures and backgrounds of others.
Why do I do what I do?
I am driven by my desire to make a positive impact on the world and on people as individuals. I want to continue to learn more about myself and others in order to find meaning in everything I do. I am passionate about advocating for equitable and accessible education and resources. I have witnessed students who are eager and willing to learn, but they simply do not have the academic resources available to them at home. This puts them in a position where they have to work much harder than their classmates just to get the same results. I desire an education system that recognizes and acknowledges these inequities in a way that supports students in reaching their full potential. Through working in academic settings, I have been able to build productive relationships, empower others, and reflect on the progress that I have made. I have enjoyed my involvement with elementary aged students and have gained substantial and meaningful insight throughout the process.
Future Goals
The leadership skills that I have gained throughout my time at UW are transferable to many aspects of my life. These experiences have provided me with various interpersonal skills such as improved time management, communication, and leadership. I strive to continue learning and to educate myself on how I can do more to utilize these skills to benefit the community. After graduation, I have set the broad goal for myself to establish a career for myself that I genuinely enjoy. I will work directly with people and be able to make a relevant difference in their lives. I plan to support the fight in making education and its resources more equitable and readily available to students. Ultimately, I want to use my experiences, as well as help others to use theirs, to spend my life making productive change in society.
Leadership Philosophy
A true leader is someone who works with others to make positive change. I had previously been led to believe that a leader was someone who held an impressive title or was the most outspoken. I now realize that leadership is not about being the loudest or making the least mistakes, but more reliant on one’s use of power for good. A leader is always striving to evolve and develop their thinking without compromising their morals. The desire to advocate for those who need a voice and the ability to unify people to work as a productive team are what make up a respectable leader. Serving others, without the intention of personal gain, is a critical part of working towards a more accepting and just society. It is important to lead by example to aid and inspire others in their own journey and personal growth.
Meet my Family!
Click here to read about my experiences