Being the first in my family to graduate from college represents the culmination of the dreams and sacrifices of my family—most especially my late father. Growing up in a family where higher learning was more of a wish than an inherited tradition has made me appreciate the transformative power it has. My father, crippled by quadriplegia since I was five years old, taught me about perseverance and the importance of an education. While his paralyzing mishap may have crushed him, he made sure his son had what he needed to pursue and fulfill his own. I base my determination to make it real on his knowledge of my potential. Completing a college degree is a personal achievement. More importantly, it creates opportunities for others in our communities. My interest in technology and solving real-life problems is what has driven my interest in Electrical Engineering. My specialization in Automation and Controls places me at the forefront of innovation in creating systems that enhance efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing to even the defense industries. This is a field that requires a perfect mix of analytical thinking with creativity in the formulation of solutions to improve the intelligence and reliability of processes. To one who relishes challenges, the fulfillment will always come when complex ideas have been translated into functional systems, impacting businesses and individuals positively. My short-term and long-term goals have been pinned down while pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering here at the University of North Dakota. In the next couple of years, I will be seeking internships in manufacturing and automation that give me hands-on experience, increase my technical ability, and help me realize the vast industry opportunities. Eventually, I would want to become a controls engineer for a defense contractor in Missouri, creating projects that incorporate innovation with purpose: offers to further national security and provide an engineering problem challenge. Further education in the subject and opening up more doors toward management opportunities for myself within the industry to have a master's in automation controls by the year 2029. My hope is to find ways to give back in providing mentorship to those students who are first-generation college students through the many adversities of choosing a field of study and finishing its requirements. To me, being a first-generation college student encompasses much more than just breaking barriers; it is about bringing change and allowing others to see that through diligence and hard work, dreams can come true. This degree symbolizes the change in my family's history, setting a new foundation from which future generations shall no longer view higher education as some unattainable dream but something quite reachable. Rather than only a personal stepping stone toward success, earning this degree will let me honor the sacrifice of my family by placing me in a position to give back to my community in a meaningful manner within my chosen field. From designing automatic systems that will make manufacturing more sustainable to mentoring students to realize their full potential, I am steadfast in my determination to use my education to have an impact worth remembering. The persistence, hard work, and values inculcated into me by my family stand to empower me toward accomplishing my dreams and further motivate others to pursue their own.

Mental illness has been one of the most defining elements in my family's story, shaping in so many ways the person that I am today. My dad fought chronic depression throughout much of his life, but his accident-making him quadriplegic-presented him with unimaginable challenges. He had a spinal cord injury that made it impossible to use anything below his chest line. Due to this, he tried taking his life several times because of the change in his body and life. He overcame everything and, with time, grew into accepting his duties as a father, which to this date have taught me quite a lot about various aspects of life. Dad and his eccentricities are a test but have always been a blessing to put up with. My dad wasn't like any ordinary father; he was unique compared with every other father that I had come across up till then, owing to his inability to walk and other emotional problems. Yet, he had his strong points: he taught me that the value of life lies not in perfection but in perseverance. Every moment we spent together was a treasure, and it was his trying-to-be-there-for-me determination at all odds, at all times, and in whatever ways that taught me how to appreciate small victories in life. His struggles also made me acutely aware of the importance of mental health. Growing up, I learned to recognize the signs of his emotional pain and, by extension, became more attuned to my own mental well-being. He showed me that mental health is never to be ignored or dismissed, and seeking help is not a weakness but one of strength. Recently, his loss was a big blow; yet it attached me more to his legacy. I try to continue with what he taught me: appreciate every moment, fight challenges, and help others to do the same-to fight theirs. His time was too short, though the impacts created in my life were too great to be estimated. The way my father faced the disorders of the mind and how he stood firm against adversity keeps on being an inspiration to me. It is his resilience that motivates me to take care of my own mental health but, more importantly, raises awareness about the need for support concerning mental health. He taught me that there is always light even in the darkest hour, and so I take it forward with me for the rest of my life.