1. Being the first in my family to obtain a college degree means breaking new ground and setting a powerful example. It’s a huge milestone, not just for me, but for my family. Growing up, my family didn’t have the same opportunities to pursue higher education, and I’ve seen firsthand how limited access to education can shape one’s future. Obtaining a degree represents a major step forward in breaking generational cycles and opening up doors to new possibilities that were once out of reach. It shows that education and hard work can create new opportunities and change the course of a family’s future. It’s about showing that no matter where you start, you can rise above and accomplish big things. Being the first would mean creating a new standard for future generations to aspire to. It’s not just about the degree itself; it’s about the journey and the lessons learned along the way. It would show my family, especially younger relatives, that education is a tool of empowerment. It would be a clear message that no matter where you start, with determination and a strong work ethic, you can achieve your goals. Being the first to earn a degree would also mean that I can share my experiences and knowledge with others, helping them navigate the same challenges I faced, and encourage them to pursue their own dreams. 2. In college, I want to pursue cybersecurity because it's a field that's both challenging and rewarding. Cybersecurity excites me because of the fast-paced nature and the constant evolution of threats and solutions. I’m drawn to the idea of protecting people and organizations from malicious cyber-attacks, ensuring data privacy, and building secure infrastructures. Plus, it's a career path with high demand and opportunities to make a real impact. I’ve always been drawn to technology, and learning how to protect digital information and prevent cyber threats excites me. There’s a sense of purpose in cybersecurity because it’s not just about technical expertise but also about safeguarding the privacy and security of individuals, organizations, and even entire nations. During my time in college, I plan to learn about network security, ethical hacking, cryptography, and data protection, as well as how to stay ahead of ever-evolving cyber threats. 3. My long-term goals are to make a significant impact in the world of cybersecurity. I'd like to work with cutting-edge technologies to help protect organizations and individuals from cyber threats. One goal is to eventually move into a leadership role where I can influence security policies and strategies on a larger scale. I might also want to contribute to the field by teaching others, mentoring future cybersecurity professionals, or working on innovative solutions to emerging cybersecurity challenges. One of my long-term goals is to eventually move into a leadership role within cybersecurity, where I can influence security policies and guide organizations through the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

My passion for cybersecurity began in an unexpected way. Growing up, I was always fascinated by technology, especially how things worked behind the scenes. As a first-generation immigrant, my family didn’t have a strong technical background, but we all relied heavily on digital tools—phones, computers, and the internet—to stay connected and make progress. One day, I experienced a personal security breach when a close family member’s credit card information was stolen online. This event made me realize just how vulnerable we are in the digital age, and I became determined to learn how to protect myself, my loved ones, and, eventually, others from these kinds of threats. As I delved deeper into technology, I discovered cybersecurity—a field that blended my love for problem-solving with my desire to make a meaningful impact. I became captivated by the complexity of the digital landscape and how cybersecurity professionals work tirelessly to safeguard systems, networks, and data from an ever-evolving range of threats. This sparked a strong desire to pursue a career where I could use my skills to not only protect individuals and organizations but also educate others about the importance of online safety. However, the path to cybersecurity was not without its challenges. As a first-generation immigrant, I faced the dual obstacle of navigating a complex educational system while also dealing with the lack of mentorship and resources within my family. My parents, while incredibly supportive, did not have experience in tech-related fields, and that made finding guidance difficult. On top of that, cybersecurity itself seemed like an intimidating field—full of technical jargon, complex concepts, and a constantly changing landscape. There were many times when I doubted whether I could keep up, especially in the early days when I was learning about topics like encryption, firewalls, and threat analysis. One of the biggest obstacles I encountered was the lack of hands-on opportunities. While there are many online resources available to learn about cybersecurity, finding real-world, practical experience was more challenging. To overcome this, I sought out volunteer opportunities where I could assist with IT tasks and security-related projects, gradually gaining the skills and confidence I needed. I'm also attending a university were hopefully I can achieve my bachelors degree in Cyber Security. These experiences have profoundly shaped my approach to cybersecurity. I’ve learned that the field isn’t just about technology—it’s about understanding the human element of security, too. Cybersecurity isn’t just about creating sophisticated defenses; it’s also about educating people to recognize risks, make informed decisions, and protect themselves online. The challenges I’ve faced along the way have reinforced my belief that cybersecurity is about more than just preventing breaches—it’s about creating a culture of awareness and trust. Looking ahead, my goal is to not only continue developing my technical skills but to also bridge the gap between technical and non-technical users. I’m passionate about helping communities—particularly underserved ones—understand the importance of cybersecurity in their daily lives. I hope to eventually work in roles that focus on both defense and education, helping to create a safer digital world where people of all backgrounds feel empowered and protected. In summary, my journey in cybersecurity has been shaped by personal experiences, challenges, and a deep desire to make a positive difference. I’ve learned that perseverance, continuous learning, and a commitment to helping others are essential to success in this field. My experiences have given me a unique perspective on the importance of both technology and education in securing the digital future.

The passage I’ve chosen is from Marcus Aurelius’ *Meditations*, a fundamental text of Stoic philosophy, where the Roman Emperor reflects on the nature of control and inner strength: “**You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.**” This statement speaks to a central pillar of Stoic thought, which is that true power lies not in external circumstances but in our responses to them. Aurelius suggests that while we are powerless over the events that befall us, we retain full control over our internal state—the way we perceive and react to these events. In a world that often seems governed by forces beyond our control, this principle invites us to reconsider the true nature of strength. For Aurelius, the ability to maintain composure, clarity, and virtue in the face of adversity is the hallmark of genuine resilience. At the heart of this passage is a call to shift the locus of control from external factors to internal ones. In many situations, it is easy to fall into the trap of believing that we are victims of circumstance. We might find ourselves frustrated by the actions of others, by systemic injustices, or by the unexpected twists of fate. The Stoic response, however, is to focus less on trying to change the things we cannot control and more on refining our reactions to those things. Aurelius is not suggesting that we abandon our efforts to change the world around us, but rather that we recognize that we cannot change everything—and, more importantly, we don’t need to. The key is to direct our energy and attention inward, to fortify our own minds, where the greatest power lies. This idea challenges the conventional view of strength. In society, we often define strength by how much we can impose our will upon the world. Success is frequently measured by external achievements—wealth, status, recognition, and power. However, Aurelius proposes that the true measure of strength is an inner capacity for composure and wisdom, even in the face of chaos. The Stoic view holds that emotions like anger, resentment, and frustration arise not from external events themselves, but from the judgments we place upon them. For instance, if someone insults us, it is not the insult itself that causes harm, but our internal interpretation of it—that we feel disrespected, attacked, or devalued. If we can learn to step back from these judgments, to recognize them as temporary and subjective, we can avoid being swept away by our emotional reactions. This internal mastery over our thoughts and emotions leads to what Aurelius describes as "strength." However, this strength is not an ironclad, impenetrable force; it is a form of resilience, a quiet power that comes from accepting the impermanence of life and the inevitability of challenges. By internalizing the understanding that we cannot control everything, we can approach life with greater equanimity, responding to setbacks with clarity and calm instead of frustration or anxiety. Moreover, the ability to control our reactions is not about repressing our emotions, but about engaging with them constructively. A key part of Stoic philosophy is recognizing the transient nature of both positive and negative emotions. By recognizing that feelings like anger or sorrow are fleeting, we can choose not to be consumed by them. Instead of allowing external events to define us or dictate our emotional state, we maintain a sense of stability and groundedness. Strength, then, is found in the ability to maintain one’s virtues—wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance—regardless of the circumstances. This idea is profoundly relevant to modern life, where external events often feel overwhelming and beyond our control. In a world full of political instability, economic uncertainty, and personal challenges, it is easy to feel powerless. However, Aurelius offers a framework for finding inner peace amidst the chaos. When we focus on controlling what we can—our thoughts, attitudes, and responses—we shift our energy from futile resistance to proactive engagement with our internal world. The strength he speaks of is not about changing the world, but about changing ourselves, and in doing so, finding peace and power. In conclusion, Marcus Aurelius’ assertion that “You have power over your mind, not outside events” challenges us to rethink where we find our strength. True power, according to Stoicism, lies not in our ability to control the world around us, but in our ability to control our reactions to it. By mastering our minds, we are able to navigate life’s challenges with resilience, composure, and virtue. In a world of constant change and uncertainty, Aurelius’ insight offers a timeless path to inner peace and strength.

Growing up as a first-generation immigrant, I’ve always had a strong sense of responsibility to carve out a better future for myself and to honor the sacrifices my family made when they moved to this country. My parents, who didn’t have the educational or financial resources to navigate complex systems, taught me the importance of resilience, hard work, and perseverance. However, it wasn’t until I became interested in technology and cybersecurity that I truly saw how I could combine my background with a passion for making a tangible difference in the world. My dream in cybersecurity is to help build a more secure, inclusive digital world where people from all walks of life, especially those from underrepresented or underserved communities, can feel safe and protected online. The more I’ve learned about the field, the more I’ve come to see just how crucial cybersecurity is to not only protecting individuals and businesses but also safeguarding our society as a whole. As an immigrant family, I’ve always been acutely aware of how vulnerable communities can be to exploitation—whether through scams, identity theft, or broader digital threats. Cybersecurity has become a way for me to merge my desire for social impact with my interest in technology. I want to ensure that people who may not have the same access to digital literacy education or resources are still protected and empowered in the online world. My dream is to work in cybersecurity not just in a technical capacity, but also in roles that focus on community outreach, education, and advocacy. I want to help people understand the importance of online safety, not only by developing solutions but also by making those solutions accessible to everyone. It’s about building trust in technology, ensuring that vulnerable populations—whether in my community or globally—have the knowledge and tools to defend themselves from emerging threats. I’m especially drawn to the idea of cybersecurity as a way to level the playing field. As someone who’s navigated systems that weren’t necessarily designed with my background in mind, I see cybersecurity as a means to create fairness. I want to contribute to making the digital world a place where everyone can feel confident that their personal data is protected, their identities aren’t at risk, and their privacy is respected. Ultimately, my dream is to not only become skilled in the technical aspects of cybersecurity, but also to be an advocate for equitable access to cybersecurity education. I want to ensure that underrepresented groups, including immigrants and first-generation students like myself, have a seat at the table in this ever-evolving field. By empowering others with the knowledge to protect themselves online, I hope to inspire a new wave of cybersecurity professionals who come from diverse backgrounds and can bring different perspectives to the table. For me, it’s not just about securing data—it’s about creating a more secure future for everyone, especially those who’ve been left out of digital conversations in the past.

Entering higher education as an outsider to the system can come with a unique set of challenges and opportunities, especially for first- or second-generation immigrants. From my perspective, there are a number of hopes and concerns that shape my outlook on this journey. One of the main hopes I carry is the opportunity to access resources and experiences that I might not have been exposed to otherwise. As a first or second-generation immigrant, the higher education system can feel like a maze—different from anything my family experienced. However, this also offers a chance for growth and adaptation. I hope to not only gain knowledge but also build the skills to navigate spaces that were never designed with my background in mind. I want to learn how to bridge the gap between my family’s experience and the one I’m striving to create for myself. However, there are also concerns that come from this outsider status. There’s the fear of not fitting in, of not fully understanding the unspoken rules of the system—whether it’s knowing how to advocate for myself, understanding the hidden curriculum, or dealing with the weight of expectations, both external and internal. As a second-generation immigrant, I often feel the responsibility of representing my family’s sacrifices and hopes, and that can sometimes feel like an extra layer of pressure. In terms of my educational journey so far, my immigrant background has shaped both the way I approach learning and the way I interact with others in educational spaces. For example, my family might not have had the same access to advanced academic resources, so I’ve learned to be resourceful and self-reliant when faced with challenges. At the same time, I often feel a lack of guidance or mentorship because my parents didn’t navigate the U.S. education system themselves. While they’ve been incredibly supportive, their understanding of the complications of higher education is limited, which has made me more reliant on seeking out advice from teachers, peers, or counselors. This immigrant experience has also made me more focused on my long-term goals. I’m not just trying to succeed for myself, but for the people who didn’t have the same opportunities. I’ve become passionate about creating pathways for others like me, whether that means being a mentor to other first-generation students or pursuing a career that allows me to bridge gaps in access to education. Ultimately, my hopes center around transforming my perceived outsider status into something that strengthens my voice and perspective in higher education, while my concerns revolve around the hurdles that still lie ahead—navigating spaces where I might still feel disconnected or misunderstood. Nevertheless, I remain committed to not only thriving but also helping others from similar backgrounds do the same.