As someone who values creativity and connection, I have always been drawn to the world of business. The ability to engage with people, create meaningful relationships, and convey a message that resonates with individuals truly fascinates me. Marketing offers the unique opportunity to merge both the creative and analytical aspects of business, which I find to be a compelling and exciting combination. I am particularly interested in marketing within eCommerce and would love to work for a Fortune 500 company like Amazon, Target, or Etsy. The reach of eCommerce is global, regardless of the location of the business. This provides a level of accessibility and convenience that traditional brick-and-mortar businesses cannot match. Also, I have learned in class that eCommerce businesses can leverage data and analytics to gain insights into consumer behavior and preferences. This allows them to personalize their marketing efforts and provide a more tailored customer experience. As an African American woman passionate about diversity and inclusion, I can significantly impact a large organization. By helping eCommerce companies to create more inclusive marketing strategies based on data, I hope to foster a sense of belonging for all individuals who interact with the brand. My ideal future role is that of a digital advertising analyst. While studying for my bachelor’s degree in marketing at Drexel University, I felt inadequate, and self-doubt consumed me, which impacted my confidence. My lack of professional experience made me question my abilities and added immense pressure to perform at a high level. However, I sought opportunities to help me grow both personally and professionally. One such transformative experience was my role as a digital corporate experience intern at JPMorgan Chase. In this position, I worked with internal departments to coordinate and produce content for the company website. This experience gave me a unique perspective on tailoring messaging to different target audiences and aligning marketing efforts with broader business objectives. In addition to my internship experience, I was also an Adobe Brand Ambassador along with two other students. Through this role, our team was given the opportunity to present our marketing strategies on how to reach business students for Adobe Creative Cloud at Adobe's headquarters in San Francisco. Through market analysis, I found that these students are best reached through fun workshops that supplement their education. My team showed the executives that we led a workshop to show students how to create animated event flyers using Adobe Express. I relished the opportunity to share our ideas and to learn from industry professionals. The ultimate goal of my career is to open a marketing consulting firm serving small businesses in low-income communities. I will use the skills and knowledge gained in my marketing roles to enable entrepreneurs to reach and engage their target audience, build brand awareness, and differentiate themselves from competitors. Through this venture, I aim to empower underrepresented entrepreneurs by providing them with effective and innovative marketing strategies, ultimately driving economic growth and social change. When I look into the mirror, I see the leaps I've made to get where I am today and how close I've come to starting a career in marketing. Having grown up in a low-income community and now being a senior paying solely for my education, this scholarship would allow me to focus on finishing my bachelor's degree in marketing without financial worries and continue on this path. I love the ever-changing field, and I look forward to making a massive difference because it combines my enthusiasm for creativity and connection with my desire to better the lives of marginalized communities worldwide.

I quickly learned the value of every dollar, growing up in a low-income single-parent household. My mom would budget meticulously, and every penny counted towards putting food on the table, paying bills, and keeping us afloat. However, no matter how well we managed our finances, it never felt like enough. I knew that education was my ticket to a better life, and I am working diligently to earn a Bachelor's degree from Drexel University. In order to ease the financial burden of this degree, I hastily signed an agreement for an unsubsidized loan. I thought since my university offered it to me, it was a safer means to be able to afford tuition. Upon educating myself, I learned that these types of loans accrue interest during in-school periods. That interest adds up as soon as the loan is disbursed, and it will be added to the loan amount after I graduate. The looming debt over my head now feels overwhelming. Despite this, I am determined to achieve upward mobility for my small family. Financial literacy is the key to unlocking this, as well as financial stability and success. That's why I have made it my mission to educate myself and others on the importance of financial planning and management. At Drexel, I have been an active member of LeBow College of Business BRIDGE (Building Relationships in Diverse Group Experiences), which supports underrepresented students through four pillars of success: academic excellence, community service, social engagement, and financial literacy. We have held workshops and training on everything from budgeting to investing, bringing in speakers from major corporations and financial institutions to share their expertise with our fellow students. These workshops have been incredibly valuable, providing practical tips and advice that can be applied to real-life situations. In addition to my involvement on campus, I had the opportunity to intern at JPMorgan & Chase. During my co-op, I was able to gain firsthand experience in the world of finance and investment banking. As a digital marketing experience intern, I worked cross-functionally with financial analysts and learned about the importance of financial planning, investment strategies, and risk management. My time at JPMorgan & Chase reinforced my belief in the power of financial literacy. I saw how these concepts are put into practice and how they can make a real difference in people's lives. But I know that financial literacy is not just a concern for college students. It is a vital skill that everyone should possess, regardless of age or background. That's why I plan to take what I have learned and bring it back to my hometown of Compton, CA, and then globally. Growing up, I saw firsthand the struggles that low-income families face, and I know that financial literacy can make a real difference in their lives. With earning a degree in marketing and gaining experience in the field, I believe I have a unique opportunity to help others become financially literate. By creating engaging and informative content, such as blog posts, infographics, and videos, I can help make financial literacy more accessible to people from all walks of life. I also plan to leverage social media to engage with a broader audience and partner with local organizations that focus on financial literacy to amplify our impact. I want to empower underrepresented people to be able to manage debt confidently and make informed decisions about their future. By learning all aspects of personal finance and teaching others to do the same, I hope to help break the cycle of poverty in my community and beyond.

One of my most vivid memories is when my mom's car ran out of gas in downtown Los Angeles, and we were stranded on the side of the highway 12 miles away from home. The sun had already set. As a 7-year-old, I thought we would be stuck there for ages, and I was pretty scared. However, some kind strangers noticed us and helped us by rolling our car to the nearest gas station and even giving my mom money to fill the tank. Growing up in Compton, CA, as the daughter of a single parent, I learned at a young age that life could be unpredictable and challenges can arise at any moment. However, that experience also taught me the importance of community and the power of helping others, even in small ways. When I started at Drexel University, my grades were not where I wanted them. I knew I needed to find ways to improve, so I could make my mom proud of me. I sought a mentor who helped me develop better study habits, organizational skills, and how to navigate a PWI. I got involved on campus, joining clubs like BRIDGE (Building Relationships in Diverse Group Experiences) and the black student union, where I could use my resourcefulness to help organize events and initiatives like personal finance workshops and open mic nights. These experiences not only helped me improve my grades but also gave me a sense of purpose by providing value to my community. I plan to use what I have learned in school and experienced in life to impact the world positively. In the short term, I plan to pursue a career as a digital advertising analyst within the e-commerce field. I want to gain practical experience and develop my skills in this area, which will help me to achieve my long-term goals. My ultimate goal is to start a global marketing consulting agency that services businesses in low-income communities, assisting them in growing and thriving. I believe that access to marketing expertise is critical for businesses to succeed in the digital age, and I want to use my knowledge to help underrepresented entrepreneurs. No matter what project I design, whether a social media campaign or a website advertisement, I will ensure that a diverse group of people are represented and can access it, not just those who conform to society's norms. All of my motivation stems from my mom. She worked tirelessly, ran errands, cleaned, made nutritious dinners, washed the dishes, and still had time to listen to my trivial problems. I love my mom more than anything and want her to know that all her struggles were worth it. My mother wishes the best for me, and I want to show her I will achieve it. I can make her happy by following my dreams of completing my Bachelor's degree and giving back to my community through advocacy and teaching digital literacy.

The role models I looked up to were my aunt and uncle. They were my protectors, my supporters, and my motivators. Together, they formed my single mother's small yet reliable village, raising me to have strong morals. Through them, I learned that my environment didn't define me and that, with intelligent choices, I could break free of the cycle of addiction and violence that afflicted my community in Compton, California. But their addictions took them away from me, and I lost them at two pivotal points of my college journey. When my aunt passed away during my first year, I was devastated. I had just started my college journey, and the thought of facing it without her seemed impossible. But as the years went by, I realized that her passing had given me a new perspective on life. I began to focus on what mattered most to me: breaking generational trauma, making my family proud, and achieving my dreams. And then, my uncle passed away a month ago, during my senior year. It felt like a cruel twist of fate, but it only strengthened my resolve. I knew I could not let their deaths define or hold me back, and I had to fight for what I wanted to achieve and do it for them. My college journey has been a challenging one, but it has also been a rewarding one. There have been times when I allowed grief, doubt, and anxiety to consume me, and I had no desire to live out my true purpose. Nevertheless, I did not give up. I have facilitated educational workshops on social media, video editing, and financial literacy on campus as an Adobe Creative Cloud Brand Ambassador. While earning my degree, I've made a change for POC on my campus, and I hope to continue this mission throughout my academic and career. I have found my passion in marketing, and I am determined to make a career out of it. I want to become a digital advertising analyst and eventually open up a global marketing consulting agency. But my dreams do not end there. I will foster a global society wherein underrepresented communities have more opportunities for economic advancement. In our digital age, raising awareness of financial literacy and highlighting programs that provide valuable resources is paramount. I want to show people from Compton that it is possible to achieve their dreams, no matter where they come from or what challenges they face. Being selected to study abroad in Switzerland while my uncle passed away shocked me, however, it is also a chance to honor my aunt and uncle by living my life to the fullest. As a result, I will have the opportunity to experience new cultures, meet new people, and broaden my worldview. The loss of my aunt and uncle has been a painful and life-altering experience, but it has also given me a new perspective on life. It has taught me that time is precious and that we must make the most of every moment. My purpose and drive to succeed have been fueled by it.

When I was a young girl growing up in Compton, I learned that education was essential to success. My mother worked tirelessly to provide for our family, but we still struggled to make ends meet. I knew that pursuing higher education was my best shot at breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving upward mobility. But climbing? That was something I had never even considered until recently. It wasn't until I stumbled upon the brightly colored climbing wall at Drexel University's recreational gym that I even thought about trying it out. I signed up for the beginner class on a whim, hoping to have fun and maybe meet new friends. Little did I know that my first climbing experience would ignite a passion inside of me that I never knew existed. As I began to climb higher and higher, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment and freedom. There was something exhilarating about pushing myself to new heights, both physically and mentally. And that's when it hit me - climbing and pursuing higher education have a lot in common. Both require hard work, dedication, and a willingness to push beyond your limits. Both have the potential to lift you to new heights and help you achieve your dreams. As an African American woman pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Marketing at Drexel University, I am determined to make my family proud by reaching the highest peaks. My degree holds a double meaning; it gives me a chance to climb over barriers that affect POC, like the glass ceiling and cycle of poverty, and achieve my goal of opening a global marketing consulting agency. No matter what project I design, whether a social media campaign or a website advertisement, I will ensure that a diverse group of people can access it, not just those who conform to society's norms. But the reality is higher education comes with a hefty financial burden. I am paying for my education solely, and it hasn't been easy. That's why receiving a scholarship would be such a game-changer for me. Not only would a scholarship reduce my financial burden, but it would also provide me with the support I need to continue pursuing my passions. I am preparing to study abroad in Switzerland, and I can't wait to explore all the beautiful country offers. And when I was researching Zurich, I stumbled upon the Uetliberg mountain - a breathtaking peak that I would love to climb during my study abroad experience. Climbing has become a passion of mine, and it's not just about the physical aspect. It's about the sense of accomplishment and the feeling of lifting myself out of the circumstances my family started in. Just like obtaining a degree, the ability to say, "I did it" will be thrilling.

As a child of a single parent growing up in Compton, CA, I was constantly told that my dreams were too big and my ambitions were too grand. But I refused to let the limitations of my environment define my future. Instead, I held onto a quality that has become the cornerstone of my success: resourcefulness. Resourcefulness is the ability to find ways to solve problems and overcome obstacles using whatever means are available. Growing up, my family didn't have access to the support we needed, but my mother taught me how to use what we did have to create opportunities for ourselves. She helped me learn to be resourceful by finding ways to get what I needed, such as second-hand clothes and school supplies. This quality has served me well throughout my life, especially in my academic and professional pursuits. When I started at Drexel University, my grades were not where I wanted them to be. I knew I needed to be resourceful and find ways to improve. I sought a mentor who helped me develop better study habits, organizational skills, and how to navigate a PWI. I got involved on campus, joining clubs like BRIDGE (Building Relationships In Diverse Group Experiences) and the black student union, where I could use my resourcefulness to help organize events and initiatives like financial literacy training and open mic nights. These experiences not only helped me improve my grades but also gave me a sense of purpose and a feeling of belonging. My resourcefulness has also helped me secure valuable internships at companies like JPMorgan & Chase and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Despite not having any connections in these industries, I used my resourcefulness to research opportunities, network with professionals, and create compelling applications that highlighted my unique strengths and experiences. These internships were challenging, but I refused to give up when faced with difficult tasks, and I began to feel comfortable asking for help from my colleagues. My determination to excel helped me to develop important skills, such as time management, critical thinking, and effective communication. Looking forward, I know that resourcefulness will continue to be a valuable asset for me and help me achieve my long-term goals. I am preparing to embark on my study abroad experience in Switzerland. Adapting to a new culture and educational system will require resourcefulness. In my future career as a digital advertising analyst in the e-commerce field, I will need to be resourceful in finding creative solutions to help my clients reach their target audience. It is my long-term goal to open a global marketing consulting agency. The rapid changes in the digital landscape will require me to be creative and find innovative ways to help my clients succeed. When I look into the mirror, I see the leaps I've made to get where I am today and how close I've come to starting a career in marketing. Now that I am a senior in college, everything I've ever dreamed of feels within reach. In the same breath, that's frightening and thrilling. Knowing that I am resourceful and have the support of family and community to help me overcome obstacles and make the most of opportunities, I believe I can do anything I put my mind to, which will be my key to success in the future.