My connection to the military is not something I learned about; it is something I grew up living. My dad served 22 years in the United States Navy, joining in 1996 and retiring in 2017. For two decades, he dedicated his life to something bigger than himself: serving our country and providing for our family. His service has shaped my character, my values, and the way I approach my future. Growing up, I did not understand the sacrifices my dad made. As I have gotten older, I have realized that his service meant much more than wearing a uniform. It meant discipline when things were difficult, responsibility when others depended on him, and the strength to keep going when quitting would have been easier. Those lessons became some of the most important lessons of my life. I carry those values into my education and career. I am pursuing a degree in Construction Engineering Technology at Oklahoma State University while working more than 30 hours a week for Crossland Construction. I maintain a 3.6 GPA while paying rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, and truck payment. Balancing these responsibilities has not been easy, but my dad taught me that hard work is not something you only do when it is convenient. His example has pushed me to become someone who takes responsibility, works hard, and follows through on commitments. It has helped me earn a full-time Field Engineer position with Crossland Construction. I am proud of my dad because he served our country for 22 years and because of the example he gave me. His service gave me a standard to live up to. As I build my future, I hope my work ethic, character, and commitment reflect the sacrifices he made and give him another reason to be proud of me.

Working while going to school has never been easy, but it has become one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience. I am currently a senior studying Construction Engineering Technology at Oklahoma State University while working more than 30 hours a week for Crossland Construction. At the same time, I am responsible for paying my own rent, utilities, groceries, car insurance, and truck payment. Being financially independent while pursuing my degree has taught me responsibility and has given me an even greater reason to work hard and keep moving forward. My schedule can be demanding because there is rarely a true break in my day. On Mondays, I wake up and go to the jobsite at 5:00 in the morning. I work until I leave for class at 9:00, attend class from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and then return to the jobsite from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. My Fridays and Saturdays can be 11-hour workdays. In between all of this, I still have homework, exams, projects, studying, and the normal responsibilities of being a college student. There have been many nights when I have gotten home exhausted and still had schoolwork waiting for me. Being responsible for my own expenses has made balancing work and school even more important. My bills do not stop because I have a difficult week at school, and my schoolwork does not disappear because I have had a long day at work. I have had to learn how to plan my time, prioritize what needs to be done, and hold myself accountable. There have been times when I have had to give up free time, stay up later than I wanted, or push through when I was tired. However, those experiences have taught me that being successful is often about continuing to show up even when things are difficult. Working for Crossland Construction has also given me a purpose behind all of the effort. I have been able to take what I learn in the classroom and apply it to real construction projects. I have learned from superintendents, project managers, field engineers, and subcontractors, and those experiences have helped me understand the type of career I want to build for myself. Despite the demands of working and supporting myself, I have maintained a 3.6 GPA. Even more meaningful to me, my hard work has earned me a full-time offer from Crossland Construction to become a Field Engineer after graduation. That opportunity means a lot because I know what went into earning it. It represents the early mornings, long workdays, late nights studying, and all the times I chose to keep going when it would have been easier to slow down. Balancing work, school, and financial responsibilities has taught me independence, discipline, and perseverance. I am proud of my GPA and the opportunity I have earned with Crossland, but I am most proud of the person this experience has helped me become.

My name is Bryson Frazier, and I am a 21-year-old student pursuing a degree in Construction Engineering Technology at Oklahoma State University. The path that led me to this field has been shaped largely by my upbringing and the experiences I had growing up. Coming from a family where my dad served in the Navy and my mom worked as a teacher, I learned early on the value of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. Those lessons have played a major role in shaping who I am today and why I am passionate about building a career in construction. Growing up, my family faced challenges that taught me resilience. My dad was often deployed every three to four months and sometimes gone for long periods of time. While I was proud of his service, his absence made things difficult for our family. My mom worked hard as a teacher to support us, but a single teaching salary can only stretch so far. Seeing my parents sacrifice and work tirelessly to provide for our family gave me a deep appreciation for dedication and responsibility. It also taught me that success requires commitment and the willingness to push through difficult situations. Because of my dad’s military service, I grew up with a strong sense of structure and accountability. Discipline was something that was always emphasized in our household. Even when my dad was deployed, the expectations he set for me never changed. I learned to stay focused on my goals, work hard in school, and take responsibility for my actions. At the same time, watching my mom balance work, family responsibilities, and everyday challenges showed me the importance of patience and determination. These experiences helped shape my interest in the construction and engineering field. Construction is a career that requires teamwork, planning, leadership, and problem solving. I am drawn to the idea of creating something tangible that can benefit communities and stand for years to come. Buildings, infrastructure, and development projects all play a major role in shaping the places where people live and work. Being part of that process is something that motivates me and gives my education purpose. My time at Oklahoma State University has allowed me to develop the technical knowledge and skills necessary for this field. The Construction Engineering Technology program teaches not only engineering and construction principles but also management, communication, and problem-solving skills. These are essential qualities for anyone who wants to lead projects and work effectively in the industry. Looking back at my upbringing, I realize that the challenges my family faced helped prepare me for the path I am on today. My dad’s service taught me discipline and resilience, while my mom’s dedication to teaching showed me the importance of hard work and commitment. Together, their influence shaped the values I carry with me as I pursue my degree and future career. I am passionate about Construction Engineering Technology because it represents opportunity, growth, and the chance to build something meaningful. Just as my parents worked hard to build a stable life for our family, I want to build a future where I can contribute to communities through the projects I help create. My experiences have prepared me to work hard, stay focused, and pursue success in this field.

The most meaningful relationship in my life has been with my dad. He served in the Navy for twenty three years and later built two companies of his own. Growing up, I did not fully understand everything he carried, but I always knew he stood for something. He lived with discipline, consistency, and quiet strength. Over time, I realized that those qualities shaped not only who he was, but who I was becoming. When I was younger, I mostly noticed the surface level things. He woke up early. He stayed late. He handled responsibility without complaining. But as I got older, I began to notice the deeper lessons. It was not just about working hard. It was about doing what you say you will do. It was about showing up for people even when it is inconvenient. It was about staying steady when things do not go your way. What impacted me most was how he treated people. Whether it was someone in the military, an employee, or a client, he treated everyone with respect. He never looked down on anyone and he never burned bridges. I remember watching him take phone calls where he listened more than he talked. He valued relationships that lasted, not quick wins. That stuck with me. As I got older, our relationship changed. It became less about being told what to do and more about conversations. He started explaining why decisions mattered. He talked about integrity and reputation like they were things you build over time, not things you can fake. He told me that people will forget what you say, but they will not forget how you made them feel. That mindset shaped the way I interact with others now. Because of him, I try to be someone people can rely on. If I tell a friend I will be there, I show up. If I commit to a project, I do my part. I value loyalty and long term connection. I have learned that real relationships are built through consistency. You cannot expect trust if you have not earned it. I have also learned how to handle pressure from watching him. In both the military and business, things do not always go according to plan. Instead of reacting emotionally, he focused on solutions. He did not waste energy blaming others. That example has helped me during stressful seasons of my own life, especially in college when expectations were high and mistakes felt heavy. I learned that leadership starts with taking responsibility. What makes this relationship so meaningful is not just what he taught me, but how he lived it out daily. He did not just talk about values. He practiced them. Seeing that consistency made those lessons real. Because of my dad, I do not see relationships as temporary. I see them as something you invest in. Whether it is friendships, family, or professional connections, I believe the strongest foundation is trust. I try to approach people with respect and authenticity because I know how much that matters long term. The relationship I have with my dad shaped who I am today. It taught me that character is built in the small daily choices and that meaningful connection takes effort. As I move forward into my career and future, those lessons will continue to guide how I treat people and the kind of leader I hope to become.

My dad served in the United States Navy for 23 years before transitioning into entrepreneurship and building two companies, Link and Ventec. Growing up, I watched him dedicate his life to service, leadership, and responsibility. His journey from the military to business ownership has deeply shaped my educational path, work ethic, and long term career goals. The Navy demanded discipline, sacrifice, and resilience. Throughout my childhood, I saw firsthand what commitment looked like. There were long deployments, missed holidays, and constant adjustments to new environments. While those changes were challenging at times, they taught me adaptability and mental toughness. I learned early that success requires consistency, preparation, and the ability to perform even when circumstances are not ideal. Watching my dad lead sailors under pressure showed me what accountability and integrity truly mean. Those lessons carried over into how I approach school, work, and life. When my dad retired from the Navy, I witnessed a new chapter of courage and determination as he stepped into entrepreneurship. Starting and growing Link and Ventec was not guaranteed success. It required risk, long hours, strategic thinking, and faith in his ability to lead outside of the military structure he had known for over two decades. Seeing him build companies from the ground up showed me that leadership is transferable and that the values developed in service, discipline, organization, and mission focused execution, apply directly to business. His entrepreneurial journey inspired me to think beyond simply finding a job after graduation. Instead, I am motivated to create opportunities, build something meaningful, and contribute to my community. I have learned that entrepreneurship is not just about financial success. It is about solving problems, creating value, and providing stability for others. My dad demonstrated that calculated risk taking combined with relentless work ethic can turn vision into reality. His military service also shaped my educational journey in practical ways. Moving and adapting to change strengthened my independence and communication skills. I became comfortable stepping into new environments and building relationships quickly. I learned to stay focused on long term goals rather than short term obstacles. Most importantly, I developed a deep respect for structure, time management, and personal accountability, qualities that have helped me succeed academically. Beyond skills, my dad’s service instilled in me a sense of gratitude and responsibility. I understand the sacrifices made not just by service members, but by their families. That perspective motivates me to take my education seriously and to pursue excellence, knowing that opportunity is something to be earned and stewarded wisely. Today, I carry forward the lessons from both of his careers. From the Navy, I learned discipline, integrity, and perseverance. From entrepreneurship, I learned innovation, calculated risk taking, and long term vision. Together, those experiences have shaped my ambition to continue my education with purpose and eventually pursue ventures that create value and stability for others. My dad’s journey proves that leadership is not confined to one uniform or one title. It is built through character, resilience, and commitment to growth. Because of him, I strive to approach my education and future career with the same determination to serve, build, and lead with integrity.