How to edit this page: This page is a placeholder with the instructions outlining what to post under the Personal Initiatives category. Once you have created some posts for that category, you should edit the menu to remove the link for this page (labelled Personal Initiatives PLACEHOLDER) and add a link to the Category.
What to write: In 100-200 words, describe a few of your favourite experiences outside of school or work. Do you volunteer, travel, or compete in any organized activities? Do you have any hobbies or participate in any sports teams? Have you participated in any UBC programs, like Co-op, Study Abroad, or the CCEL? Have you completed a directed study course with a professor in your department? If so, describe not only what you’ve done, but how you’ve done it.
What to post: once or twice a semester, when you’ve participated in an event or completed a project, create a post about what you’ve done. Use details to paint a picture of the contribution that you made. For example, if you participated in a hack-a-thon, describe how many people were in your team, what role you played within this team, and how your contribution shaped the final result. If you participate in intramural sports, describe your contribution to the interpersonal dynamic of your team, your leadership role on- or off-field, or your ability to resolve conflicts respectfully and effectively. Or, if you participate in a solitary activity like painting or martial arts, describe your practice, how long you’ve been pursuing it, and what you have learned as you’ve progressed.
If you’re struggling to articulate your contribution, or to identify how your experiences outside of work and school might shape your scholarly or professional identity, consider making an advising appointment with the UBC Careers office.
Images: If there is an image associated with the work that you produced, by all means include it! But ensure that you provide some context that explains the work. Write as if you are addressing someone who wasn’t in your class, and may not even know much about this academic discipline.
The best images are ones that you’ve created–your own photographs or your own drawings. If you didn’t create the image yourself, ensure that your use of the image is legal.