My skills and strengths

Resilience and Persistence 

One of my biggest strengths is my resilience. Throughout my portfolio, I show that I can keep going when things become difficult or when my original plans do not work. This can be seen in my Year 12 projects, where I had to change and reshape my ideas several times before reaching a final direction. It is also reflected in my autobiographies and narratives, where I discuss challenges I have experienced and how I continued working towards my goals. Rather than giving up when something becomes difficult, I tend to adapt, problem-solve and keep moving forward.

Independent Learning and Initiative 

Big Picture has helped me become a very independent learner. I have designed and managed large projects based on topics that genuinely interest me, including my Domestic Violence and Abuse project, my literature review on the Impacts of Ongoing Trauma in First Responders, my Accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People Across Australia and the UK project, and my Year 12 Senior Thesis Project, Hear Beyond Words. I have independently found academic research, organised project timelines, contacted organisations and mentors, and created a range of final products, including websites, videos, literature reviews and resource materials.

Empathy and Social Awareness

A strong theme throughout my portfolio is my interest in understanding other people and the challenges they experience. My projects on domestic violence, trauma in first responders and Deaf accessibility required me to consider sensitive social issues and different perspectives. My domestic violence social action project also went beyond research, as I organised a donation drive connected with Share the Dignity to support people experiencing domestic violence. My aged care workplace experience has also helped me develop patience, empathy and an understanding of how important communication and respect are when supporting others.

Communication

Communication is another major strength that can be seen throughout my portfolio. I have communicated my learning through exhibitions, presentations, websites, videos, autobiographies, narratives and reflective journals, rather than relying on only one format. I have also communicated with academic mentors, teachers, workplaces and community organisations while developing my projects. My Hear Beyond Words project particularly demonstrates my ability to take research and lived experience and turn it into practical information that professionals, such as teachers, healthcare workers and social workers, can understand and use.