Being a first-generation college student means a lot to me because it connects directly to where my family came from and everything they went through. Both of my parents came to the United States from Albania and the former Yugoslavia. They grew up in places where communities were broken, opportunities were limited, and life was shaped by communism and conflict. They came here hoping for something better, even though they did not speak the language and had no real support system. Watching them build a life from almost nothing is a big part of why I push myself the way I do. Neither of my parents had the chance to go to college. Not because they did not want to, but because surviving in a new country took all of their energy. They were focused on learning English, working long hours, and trying to give me and my siblings a stable life. Growing up, I saw how hard that was for them. I saw the stress, the sacrifice, and the way they kept going anyway. That taught me what real strength looks like. Being first-generation comes with a lot of challenges. There is no one at home who can explain college applications, financial aid, or what it feels like to be the first person in the family to take this path. There were many times where I felt confused or unsure if I was doing things the right way. But it also made me more independent. I learned to figure things out, to ask for help when I needed it, and to trust myself even when I felt lost. My dream is to become a civil engineer. Part of this dream is for my parents. I want to give them the stability they never had. They worked so hard so I could have choices they did not have, and I want to make that worth it. But another part of this dream is completely for me. I want a future where I can support myself, build a solid career, and contribute to something bigger, especially in a place like New York where good engineering really matters. This scholarship would help me take a big step forward. Paying for college is not easy for my family, and being first-generation means I do not have much guidance or financial help at home. This support would let me focus more on my classes and on becoming the engineer I want to be, instead of worrying about how to manage the cost of school. To me, being first-generation means carrying my parents stories with me while building my own future. It means turning their struggles into my motivation. I am proud of where my family comes from, and I am determined to go farther than my family has seen. I want to succeed for them, but also for myself and the life I want to create.

Growing up in the New York City public school system taught me early on that you don’t always get the newest books or the biggest budgets, but you learn how to make the most out of what you have. My family never had the money to send me to a private school, and honestly, at times I wondered if I was missing out. But looking back, I’m proud of the path I took because it shaped who I am. At Herbert H. Lehman High School, I saw firsthand how hard teachers and staff worked even when resources were tight. There were so many things they wanted to do for us, but the answer was usually “there’s no budget for that” or “we don’t have enough supplies.” Sometimes we shared worn-out textbooks, or teams would have to reuse the same equipment year after year. It wasn’t perfect, but instead of letting it hold me back, it pushed me. I realized that if I could succeed in that environment, then I could handle a lot more than I thought. I stayed focused on my goals. By the time I graduated, I earned a 3.9 GPA, ranked in the top 10, and completed several college credits. But honestly, some of my biggest lessons came from sports. Being captain of both the soccer and lacrosse teams taught me how to keep people motivated, how to stay calm when everything feels chaotic, and how to lead by example. I learned how to be dependable, even on days when I was tired or stressed. There were challenges the whole way. Crowded classrooms, old materials, and watching students at better-funded schools get things we didn’t made it easy to feel like I was behind. But every time I faced something like that, it just made me want to work harder. I learned how to advocate for myself, how to pay attention even when there were distractions everywhere, and how to squeeze every bit of opportunity out of a system that didn’t always have a lot to give. Now, what pushes me forward is my goal of becoming a civil engineer. I want to help New York keep up with the future. Growing up here, I’ve seen what happens when infrastructure is stretched too thin. I want to be part of the solution, helping build safer roads, stronger bridges, and systems that can handle the needs of this huge city. This scholarship would make a real difference for me. Paying for school is not easy for my family, and having extra support would let me focus fully on my classes, internships, and building my career without constantly worrying about money. The NYC public school system taught me resilience and showed me that where you start doesn’t decide where you end up.

My long-term career goal is to become a civil engineer who designs and delivers infrastructure that not only meets the functional needs of society but also contributes to a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future. I aspire to be involved in projects that push the boundaries of conventional engineering initiatives that integrate renewable energy systems, eco-friendly materials, and climate-adaptive designs. Ultimately, I hope to play a leading role in shaping communities through smart, responsible development that improves people’s quality of life and respects the natural environment. The values that drive these goals are rooted in sustainability, innovation, and service to society. I’ve always believed that engineering is more than solving technical problems it’s about addressing human needs through thoughtful and creative solutions. I am particularly inspired by the idea that civil engineering is both a scientific discipline and an artistic endeavor. It involves balancing efficiency, safety, and functionality with aesthetic appeal and environmental stewardship. These values are especially important in today’s world, where rapid urbanization, resource scarcity, and climate change demand solutions that are not only practical but also forward-thinking. My interest in civil engineering began at a young age, sparked by a fascination with the built environment. I was captivated by bridges stretching across wide rivers, highways weaving through dense cities, and skyscrapers that seemed to touch the sky. Over time, this fascination turned into a serious passion. A high school internship with a local construction firm gave me hands-on exposure to the field and showed me the level of collaboration, precision, and perseverance it takes to turn complex designs into real structures. It was during this experience that I realized I wanted to dedicate my life to this profession. Along the way, I’ve faced challenges that have helped me grow. Balancing academics, extracurriculars, and personal obligations like finances was never easy, but it taught me the importance of time management and prioritization. I also struggled with the fear of failure early on, where the idea of messing up and staying within a constant loophole of poverty played in my mind yet, in a field where trial and error is part of the process it allowed me to understand errors are allowed to come and are supposed to for growth. Through learning to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities has helped me develop resilience and a growth mindset qualities that are essential for any engineer. Looking ahead, I want to be part of a new generation of civil engineers who use their skills to create infrastructure that is not just efficient and lasting, but also ethical and environmentally conscious.

Civil engineering is the backbone of modern civilization, covering designs, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure that support our lives and improve the living conditions. In my view, civil engineering is an artistic and scientific way of devising solutions that balance functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal. It is a very essential field that affects not only the physical space we are in but also the quality of life we lead. From transportation systems connecting people to water supply networks that keep communities thriving, it is civil engineering that forms the backbone of any thriving society. Its impact goes beyond convenience, economic growth, environmental preservation, to disaster resilience. In today's fast urbanizing world, the role of civil engineering cannot be gainsaid. It addresses such pressing challenges as climate change, urban congestion, and resource scarcity. By implementing innovative designs and sustainable practices, civil engineers ensure that future generations inherit a world that is functional yet responsible towards the environment. My interest in civil engineering is rooted in a lifelong fascination with how the built environment shapes human experiences. Growing up, I was captivated by bridges spanning vast rivers, skyscrapers defying gravity, and roadways weaving through bustling cities. This curiosity evolved into a deep desire to understand the science and creativity behind such marvels. What really solidified my interest was an internship with a local construction firm during high school. There, I saw how cooperation and finding solutions to apparently insurmountable problems are necessary to transform these complicated projects into reality. It is the satisfaction of seeing blueprints come alive into tangible structures that further strengthens my commitment to this field. The deeper I looked, the more I became interested in sustainable infrastructure, especially projects that incorporate renewable energy with eco-friendly materials. I envision contributing to designs that not only serve their purpose but also leave a positive environmental legacy. What excites me most is the prospect of solving global challenges in developing resilient infrastructure amidst a changing climate. Civil engineering is that one field where one gets to combine technical expertise with a bit of creativity to create long-lasting impacts on both a local and global scale. My path to studying civil engineering was not all smooth sailing. The greatest challenge has, no doubt, been keeping the academic and personal priorities together. Earlier in my educational journey, I used to be at pains to try to put in place the best utilization of my time, often getting overwhelmed by course work, extracurricular activities, and family obligations. As a matter of fact, it made me learn invaluable lessons about prioritization and perseverance. I thought of how to handle my workload better, breaking tasks down into smaller, doable steps, and sought help from my mentors and peers. These have been good habits which improved my academic performance and developed my resilience-a quality that I know will be so important in the demanding field of civil engineering. Another challenge has been overcoming the fear of failure. Engineering projects often involve trial and error, and I’ve learned to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth. By shifting my perspective, I’ve cultivated a mindset that views challenges as stepping stones rather than barriers.