This is a good question that sometimes I am unsure how to answer. Well the basics are that my name is Jolene Lee Mentink and I’m a very original “corn-raised” farm girl. Being born and raised on a dairy farm has given me some great morals to always fall back on and I feel they are always at the top of my priorities. Although I have lived rurally for 18 years, I feel very comfortable here at Concordia and in the city. Fittingly, I am pursuing a major and minor in Social Work. Which is also another detail about me, which I’m not totally proud of: indecisive.
My life has been very organized and was almost lain out for me on a platter. Farming has been my family’s life for 3 generations and my father would have loved for me to get into the family business. And though I feel most comfortable there, I felt I needed to explore my options and college. After the death of my uncle this past September, I wonder if I made the right choices, but I feel that I need to stick with my gut on college and future life. I started off going to be majoring in Athletic Training, but suddenly realized that my life and stress levels really didn’t need the work load of an AT. Seemingly enough, I am now pursuing a career here at Concordia for a minor and a major in Social work.
Social Work is also a challenging career, but I feel it is more set to my personality. Most people judge my personality by my sibling’s choices, especially because of where I am from. My family has had a good reputation in the community and we are judged as trustworthy people. But as my siblings are an accomplished Veterinarian, a Math Teacher in Madison and my brother, Mother and Father are accredited Farmers my life as the youngest gets spotlighted. Which I completely don’t mind! The pressure is normal and I feel it is a good way for me to make my mind up about my life choices.
So, how am I getting to the place where I want to be? Well since Concordia has a great academic program for social work, I will be getting a bachelor’s degree and a minor here. I was going to transfer to The University of Minnesota, but Concordia is still the best choice. So my plans are to stay here for the next 4 years. I am still very much that country girl who misses all the adventures of the farm life, and if I feel college isn’t working for me- I know it will be there for me to pick back up where I left off. But I try not to think about it, and the more I am here in this dorm room with some very respectable women I feel my goals to be a social worker will be met with flying colors.
But why do we go through these thoughts? Why do people consistently question themselves on who they are and what they want to do with their lives. I believe that this is a normal process for us to go through, but it is also necessary for people to have others who will encourage change and support the familiar situations. My rock is obviously my family, though i might not always feel like they want to help, or I don't want to bother them with my problems.
But the truth is, everyone needs change, challenges and family to live a good mentally healthy life.
