Welcome back. In our self discovery conversation, we looked at personality, values and your own personal mission. And when I thought about who I wanted to bring to you to talk with you today about this whole arena of self-discovery. I thought about my friend Jason, here, who works with me at SUNY Empire State College. Jason is our military recruitment specialist. He works in our office of military and veteran education. We're known for being one of the top schools in the country for military and veteran students. Why I chose Jason is because to me, he exemplifies values and living from a personal mission. And having served in the military, he has a unique perspective on those two aspects of self discovery. So welcome Jason. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for accepting the invitation to be with us. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> So when we talk about values and how values drive our life. What comes to mind? >> Immediately are the Navy core values. Honor, courage and commitment. >> Honor, courage and commitment. >> Yes Ma'am. >> So tell us about each of those and how they work in your life. >> They were pounded into our heads in boot camp. That's how we lived our lives in the Navy and it carried on when I got out. So every decision I make now, I always go back to those core values to guide my decisions in life. To make sure I'm doing the correct things. >> And what is honor? >> Honor is being able to do the right thing in difficult situations. Whether it's the popular thing or not. >> Mm. And? What about the next value that you spoke about? >> Courage really kind of is along the lines with honor. >> Yes. >> Again, being able to do the correct things in the face of adversity, and not worrying about the negative consequences that may come about. >> In fact, courage is in my mission statement. So we'll say more about that in a minute. >> Awesome. >> And? >> Committment. Committment is being able to follow through on those decisions that you make, again, whether right or wrong, whatever the consequences might be. Doing the right thing and following through to the very end. >> So how did those three values drive your career choices once you decided to leave the military? >> They were able to let me explore what I wanted to do, even though it might not have been the most popular thing, not what other people wanted me to do. It's what I wanted to do. So I went the route of psychology. I got a degree in psychology even though people said you're not going to make much. >> Right, you won't get- >> You can't do anything with it. >> Yeah that's right. >> That's what interested me, that's what I wanted to do so I followed it through. >> And how's it been? >> It's been great. I've dedicated my career so far to veteran services, I plan to continue that. And a psychology degree really helped me in that so it was the correct decision >> Great, and before I go any further I just want to really thank you for your service to our country. You know, you and your family have put a lot on the line to have us keep our freedoms and we really want to thank you for that. >> You're welcome. >> So I want to turn to mission. As I mentioned to you the word courage is in my mission. >> Sure. >> To be able to lead and teach and guide others with courage and boldness to make the world a better place. What would you say is your personal mission? >> My personal mission has become helping other veterans. I got into a bad spot before I got my education. The education helped me. Now that's what I'm doing to move forward. So my mission is to help any veterans that need help, no matter who they are, no matter where they served, how they served. That's really my mission now. >> Wow. So, out of what you experienced you now can help others maybe not have to experience some of the tough things that you did. And also, as I would say it, you're helping make the world a better place- >> Yes, ma'am. >> By doing your work of service to veterans. >> Yes. >> It's really inspiring, thanks Jason. >> You're welcome. >> Appreciate you being here this morning. >> Thank you. >> Take good care. >> You too. >> Thank you all for joining us. I hope you enjoyed Jason as much as I did. Learned a lot, can now relate your values, your mission to your own choices especially in your career. And I look forward to seeing you back here next time. Thanks so much.