During my summer internship as a camp counselor with Mount Airy Parks & Recreation, I saw how UCSD’s core ethical values of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship applied to my work every day. I had to be trustworthy so parents and kids could rely on me, and responsible when supervising activities. Respect and fairness were key in treating all campers equally and creating an inclusive environment. Showing caring helped me build positive relationships, and citizenship meant working as a team to keep camp safe and fun. These values guided how I acted and led throughout the summer.

The UCSD “Ethics Awareness” article reminds me of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, which also focuses on personal integrity, responsibility, and fairness. Both texts emphasize doing what’s right even when it’s not easy and building trust through consistent ethical behavior. However, while Covey’s book centers more on personal growth and leadership habits, the UCSD article focuses on organizational and professional ethics, showing how values like respect and citizenship guide behavior in a workplace. Both highlight that strong character and accountability are essential for creating positive environments whether in personal life, leadership, or public service.

The UCSD “Ethics Awareness” article reminds me of real-world situations where ethical behavior is crucial in public service, such as in government agencies, schools, and parks and recreation departments. These values like trustworthiness, fairness, and responsibility are the same ones that guide professionals who work with the public. For example, when cities manage community programs or youth camps, staff must act ethically to ensure safety, inclusion, and fairness for everyone. The article connects to real issues we see when organizations fail to uphold ethics, like misuse of funds or discrimination, which can break public trust. It shows how strong ethical values are not just ideas they’re essential for building and maintaining trust in communities.

University of California San Diego. (n.d.). Ethics awareness. UC San Diego Blink. https://blink.ucsd.edu/finance/accountability/ethics-awareness.