What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
Things to consider: If there’s a talent or skill that you’re proud of, this is the time to share it. You don’t necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?
Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule?
Often in Indian culture, parents live with their child after the child’s marriage, and my family is no different. My paternal grandparents have lived with us since I was a year old. Since they had each other, they had no need to go out. But when my grandfather passed away, my grandmother became lonely and depressed. She just stayed at home everyday, watching Telugu dramas. Even from a young age, I knew it was difficult to be alone, so every day after school, I spoke Telugu with her, tried to teach her English, and watched shows with her. After I started doing so, she became lively once again. Now, she cooks every day and goes to the park to meet her friends. Since I was able to understand my grandmother’s loneliness, I could help her overcome it and live a happier life.
Because I was able to help my grandmother with my empathy, I wanted to do the same for others as well. To achieve this goal, I decided to volunteer at Good Samaritan, a nearby hospital. As a volunteer, there is only so much I can do to help patients and visitors, but that does not stop me. With a friendly smile and kind words--“I’m sorry to hear that,” and “What you’re going through isn’t easy,”--I can empathize with visitors. I also talk to many patients, exchanging light banter to take their minds off their pain.
Every week when I volunteer, my empathy is my greatest asset. Though I may not be able to physically help as much as a doctor can, I believe my ability to relate goes a long way in reassuring patients and visitors that they are not alone.
Empathy is my greatest skill, and I use it to help others going through difficulties in life. While many may not see empathy as a skill, this basic understanding of others’ feelings is something we lack in today’s society. My empathy allows me to see past myself to focus and relate with the feelings of loved ones and strangers.