Willette Anita Capers Log 1

My journey as a Fellow has been marked by curiosity, perseverance, and the continuous pursuit of growth. My learning journey began with me accepting that I was chosen for this honor and working to get past the imposter syndrome of feeling unworthy. Believing in oneself is an essential component of personal growth and success. It is the foundation upon which resilience is built and goals are achieved. This self-belief begins with understanding and accepting one’s strengths and weaknesses. I thought the main learning journey would be what I learned in my courses; however, I soon learned that my learning journey has been believing in myself.

Throughout this journey, reflection is key. Be sure to take stock of what you learn, how you apply it, and areas of growth. Setting goals will help you stay motivated. There were two writing activities that I had to complete in my doctoral program that caused me to stop, reflect, and identify my positionality. It required an honest self-assessment and the willingness to accept the feedback. Through those activities, I began soaking up as much knowledge as possible from my peers, mentors, and the wealth of resources available to me. I just remembered how much I loved learning and sharing that knowledge. Being selected as a fellowship recipient can bolster your academic and professional resume. The prestige associated with the Bush Fellowships has opened the door for learning opportunities for me and others. As a new fellow, the cohort component, with the network of past and present fellows, has provided a community of peers, mentors, and professionals from whom to learn. These connections can be invaluable for collaborative research, career advice, and future job opportunities.