For DonorsFor Applicants

First in Business Foundation Scholarship

Funded by
$1,045
1 winner$1,045
Awarded
Application Deadline
Feb 1, 2023
Winners Announced
Mar 1, 2023
Education Level
High School
2
Contributions
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior
Background:
Low-income and first generation college student
Race/Ethnicity:
BIPOC
Major/Career Field:
Business-related

The First in Business Foundation was created to empower the next generation of Business leaders.This scholarship was created to provide financial support to first-generation college students interested in pursuing fulfilling Business careers in fields such as accounting, consulting, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, etc. Earning a Business degree rewards students with flexible, transferrable and in-demand skills that can be applied across a vast variety of industries. In addition, Business degrees are often in high demand and can maximize hiring and earning potential. For first-generation college students, a business degree can provide a high return on investment on the cost of their education. 

It can be difficult for first-generation college students to visualize themselves in professional careers as they often have a limited exposure to the corporate world or may not have role models in those fields. Despite these limitations, students will bring their own set of diverse perspectives, experiences, and skills to make a positive contribution to the corporate world and society.

BIPOC high school students who will be first generation college students are eligible to apply if they have been involved in extracurricular activities and are planning to major in a business-related field. Preference will be given to students in California.

To apply, write about why you are interested in pursuing a career in business, why you believe in the importance of giving back to your community, and share what success means to you.


Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published October 4, 2022
Essay Topic

Why do you want to pursue a career in a business-related field? What does "success" mean to you? Why do you believe it is important to give back to your community?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Naomi Garcia Suastegui
University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV
I learned about the concept of money from a young age. I remember being a four-year-old already learning about the importance of saving money and how “a penny saved is a penny earned.” My mother would teach me to look on the streets for coins dropped on the floor and start saving them (a habit I still hold to this day). I was always interested in money, but I didn’t know I wanted to pursue a career in a business-related field until I was eleven. The first time I watched the business channel, I was captivated by rapid price changes, switching between red and green like Christmas lights. While I had no understanding of the stock market at the age of eleven, I desperately needed to know what it all meant. From that point on, I knew my goal would be to major in business. Success has different definitions for every individual. Most commonly, people view success as being wealthy. As a business enthusiast, I understand the importance of money. Having money is important professionally and even personally, but in my opinion, I don’t think I will be considered successful just if I become wealthy in the future. I see a successful person finding something they are truly passionate about and putting as much effort and dedication into that passion as possible, not solely for money, but for their happiness. A successful person has a job or a hobby that they can dedicate themselves to that gives them fulfillment. My passion is analyzing and learning about the economy. The economy has patterns it repeats throughout history, and yet at times, it can feel completely unpredictable. I find joy in analyzing and predicting price movements. I believe that I will be successful when I graduate from university and have a successful career as an economic analyst. When that happens, I can look back on my life and be proud of how far I’ve come. Going from humble beginnings to then having the luxury to pursue my passion. That is success. I come from a low-income family, so I’ve seen first-hand how my parents had to learn how to manage money themselves without prior knowledge from their school or their parents. My parents had to learn to budget their money and avoid debt through trial and error. While they’ve taught me all they know about managing money, I’ve noticed how many resources I still lack compared to people my age that come from high-income and higher-middle-class families. I had the opportunity to talk to people from different backgrounds recently at a scholar reception brunch at a university. These people had parents who were doctors and lawyers and were given better financial advice and resources to succeed financially as adults. They were the same age as me and had the same educational goals as me, and yet they had a head start. Fortunately, I have the motivation to learn about personal finance and succeed. When I graduate, I plan to extend my knowledge to low-income communities. If given the right resources, people currently struggling financially can learn proper spending habits and investing. I find it vital that low-income communities get greater attention and more opportunities. People shouldn’t have a disadvantage because of their background. They should have every chance to become successful. One penny can only take a person so far.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Feb 1, 2023. Winners will be announced on Mar 1, 2023.

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