I am Crystal Kennedy Carroll, a first-year Business Administration scholar from Miami, Florida. I have always been a dedicated and passionate person. As I continue to further my education and grow into the young lady I am becoming, my passion for wanting to own a business is ongoing. Since I can remember I have been interested in real estate. Even though a degree is not required in my career field I believe that it can open more doors and give me the knowledge and exposure I need to become the best businesswoman I can be. My goal is to be a licensed real estate agent in many different states and eventually become a broker. Furthering your education allows you to surround yourself with people who have similar goals as you, enhance your skills and gain knowledge. Being surrounded by people who have similar goals or similar backstory, allows you to grow your social network with a variety of people from all over the world. Not only will you meet people in your career field but numerous professional pathways. Being exposed to a more broad view on professional careers helps you further your education. With going to school and or work, you have to create a schedule to make sure that you manage your time and complete tasks. Even though it might not seem like it, getting accustomed to a routine or writing out your tasks helps better your skills. Some skills include time management, organization, discipline, leadership, and even teamwork if you have group projects to complete. Being exposed to all of this early will help you in the process of being successful because these are critical life skills. You gain knowledge through the people you work with like your peers, mentors, or professors. I am so passionate about furthering my education because the career path that I am choosing to partake in is all about networking and discipline. Through my classes, clubs, and school activities I can meet all kinds of people from all over the world in different career fields. I am very determined to be able to travel with my career and meeting people now allows me to make those connections. In the future, you never know whom you are going to need or who will be a good contact. I am ready to continue learning what it means to be a good businesswoman and the CEO of my own company.

One of my greatest inspirations in my life is my dad because I value his work ethic and just who he is as an individual. My dad went into the fire academy right out of high school and got in the department at the age 19. Although he didn't attend college he managed to work very hard to become captain of the fire department in Miami. My dad had three younger brothers who he had to take care of while his mom was at work, so he learned the responsibility of providing at a young age. I see myself in my dad a lot because I want to start my career early. I will be graduating at the age of 17 and will be taking a real estate course when I turn 18. I want to eventually open up my own brokerage by the age of 25 if not earlier. I will be going to college and majoring in business to give me a little bit more knowledge and experience of the business world. My goal to succeed drives me, I want to be financially stable and explore the world. I don't want to be working for my entire life, so I'd rather hustle now so I'm not stuck in a job that I don't like.