During my sophomore year of high school, I participated in a summer internship at Framingham State University. Initially, I chose to pursue this opportunity because of the program’s emphasis on environmental justice, as it is a topic I am interested in. However, during this experience, I was exposed to collecting and analyzing data to not only raise awareness about critical environmental issues, but also create visual models to predict future trends. I particularly placed an emphasis on low-income individuals who suffered the effects of climate change the most, and how I could help educate them. This resonated with me because I come from a low-income background, and being able to help other people in my situation showed me the impact I could have through my work and research. Through this experience, I was not only able to make a difference, but I saw how powerful data could be, and being a part of a project where data played a significant role from start to finish ignited my interest in the field of Data Science. During my senior year I was involved in the cooperative placement program at my high school, and I plan to pursue something similar throughout college. Through my cooperative placement at Murphy Insurance as a marketing intern, I’ve been able to apply the skills I’ve learned through my high school technical program and build upon them. Although I only worked with data through data clean-up projects, I’ve seen the importance and impact it can have on people and businesses. I believe that technology and data can connect people who might otherwise never interact, breaking down barriers and building stronger communities. As an aspiring Data Scientist, I plan to major in informatics and minor in a related field, such as mathematics or computer science, at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Getting a college degree won’t just be an academic achievement, but also a testament to my passion. Through my education, I hope to bring innovation, advocate for the betterment of our society, and uplift voices from all different backgrounds in the world of technology. Furthermore, as a Latina seeking a technology-based career, I know how important representation is for groups who are often overlooked, and therefore how important it is to push for change. Even today, the world of technology lacks diverse representation, and I plan to contribute to changing that as I begin my journey in the world of Data Science. I want to challenge the norm, not just for myself, but for others who may not see themselves reflected in the technology world yet.