My Five Ideal Traits

During a job interview earlier in the week, I was asked the following question: if USC were to erect a monument in your honor and list five ideal traits that you value, what would those traits be?

As I say at the end of every tour I give, on the side of the statue of Tommy Trojan are the
Five Ideal Attributes of a Trojan: Faithful, Scholarly, Skillful, Courageous, and Ambitious

I'll admit, I was a bit thrown off by the question for a variety of reasons, but it made me think what I really would want someone to say of me. We've all gotten questions like "what three words would your friends use to describe you?" But, this question was asking for something more. I loved about half my answer, but then got lost in my words. If I were to be asked the question again, here's what I would like people to recognize as my ideal traits...

1. Passionate/Dedicated - I said both of these (it was a job interview... I was tying to spin my answer), and while they could be translated to mean different things, I meant the same sentiment, but just used different words to convey it. Whichever word you prefer, I am someone who puts my whole heart into anything I undertake. I hate when people do things half-assed, and I get extremely frustrated when I do not have the time or resources to execute my goals to the highest standard. 

2. Loyal - I am fiercely loyal to my friends, my values, and my opinions. I support the Republican party on most major issues, I am Catholic, I hate mushrooms and onions, Forrest Gump is my favorite movie,  short men make me uncomfortable, I won't eat grocery store bakery cookies or cakes, and I only run when being chased. I'll get to open-mindedness later, but generally speaking, any arguments to try to change my mind on these issues are a waste or your time and mine.

3. Compassionate - In a political science GE I took during my freshman year, we discussed what traits we would like to see in a judge, and my professor really stressed how crucial it is for a judge to be compassionate for each individual who enters their courtroom. Ever since, I believe it is important to be understanding of others and be empathetic toward others' situations. You never know where people are coming from, what struggles or triumphs they have had, so take the time to listen. We all have our different challenges and we can learn a lot from what others have been through and currently face. 

4. Open-minded - During the interview, I said something like "friendly," but looking back I should have said open-minded. This is something I truly believe is essential in life. In various situations where I did not know what to expect, I have gone in with an open mind and remarkable things have happened. Whether it was getting to know an individual in a different way or learning a new skill, when you're not sure what's coming at you, just keep an open mind and experience. 

5. Wise - I didn't actually say this, but so wish I did. Wisdom, in my own personal definition, is the ability to learn a lesson from every experience you encounter. In high school, I realized that I was a bit wiser than my peers, not smarter, but wiser. I wrote an entire college essay about losing my grandma and nearly failing physics, while dealing with some ridiculous drama amongst friends. At the end of the year, I received an award for best representing my school's Core Values of Community, Reverence, Service, and Leadership. From this, I learned that no matter what you may face in life, being a good person is most important. It is from experiences like these that I have developed much wisdom. Whatever comes your way, just know that you can learn something from every opportunity. 

If I could add a few more, I might have said opportunistic or loving or faithful, but I hope at least a few people will recognize these five traits within me and see how important they are to my attitude on life.