Self-introduction:
As an aspiring human resources management professional, and a Northeastern business administration and psychology combined major student, I am working on building a strong interdisciplinary foundation in management. Such a foundation is not only desirable, but also necessary in being able to lead in an increasingly complex business environment. For the past two years, I have been honored to contribute to the success of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Tech for Good by managing human resources and leading the efforts of recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and employee relations. As a member of an inspiring team, I work hard to help provide technology solutions to under-represented communities; from educational courses to life-saving weapon defense systems. We strive to use technology to impact every life for the better. During my high school years, I worked as a human resource management intern in my school’s HR Department. As a passionate writer, I have received many writing awards. I have been fortunate enough to earn the Silver Key Award from the Scholastic Writing Alliance for Young Writers.
Essay:
Tucked away behind my dad’s programming guidebooks on the basement bookshelf was the textbook. Green with splashes of beige, it was hefty, standing at 744 pages. Wiping away the dust enveloping its cover revealed an emblazoned portrait of a masked statue, the title reading Introduction to Psychology. I had no idea why my dad kept a 30-year-old college textbook. Regardless, due to my bookwormish nature and the beguiling portrait on its cover, I found myself sifting through the pages. So began my first foray into the intriguing world of psychology. The more I journeyed through the book, the more I saw the life experiences that define me through the unique lens each psychological perspective brings.
The behavioral perspective evaluates how our environment influences us. My personality has been nurtured by my family, especially my parents and my brother, who never fails to make me laugh as we discuss DC Comics during our long walks. Likewise, my visits to my grandparents, during which Grandpa asks obscure biology questions and Grandma funnels in a seemingly infinite supply of kofta, and our tradition of visiting family in New York every Christmas are constant joys in my life. Long-winded political discussions amid fragrant scents of chicken piccata and gingerbread cookies, hysterical laughter over party games, and the exchange of gag gifts are all staples of this tradition. I aspire to bring the family values that I learned and stand for to my community.
The psychodynamic perspective focuses on unconscious processes. One blustery morning, as I took off my jacket in homeroom, a classmate sneered: “Daniel, are you hiding a bomb in that jacket?” I doubt his comment was influenced by unconscious bias; but rather a lack of global awareness. He probably assumed that because I’m of Middle Eastern origin, I am a Muslim (I’m not), and that all Muslims are terrorists (they aren’t). While others may have been offended, I took his comment in stride, turning it into a positive driver for promoting global awareness to issues I am passionate about. The prejudice against Coptic Egyptians, to whom I claim my heritage, was at the top of that list, and I’ve made it the topic of numerous school projects and presentations.
The social-cultural perspective evaluates behavior as influenced by culture and social setting. During the pandemic, my a cappella club found no better audience to perform to than the residents of our local senior center, who had been in lockdown for months. Seeing the gleaming faces behind the windows as we lined outside in the frigid cold and sang “Loving You” warmed me up more than four layers; their eyes expounded, “thank you for remembering us.” I also find it fascinating that the audience can still connect emotionally with the music, even if they cannot understand the lyrics, as my chorus performs an aria, like “The Mozart Requiem” in Latin. After a performance of “The Requiem” in Symphony Hall, a young boy in the back shouted “Wow!” which echoed through the hall. I later learned that he was on the autism spectrum, and rarely expressed himself. Music is powerful and so is writing. Whether it’s a 1950s classic hit or a humor piece on Egyptian culture, there are infinite ways for me to convey a deeper meaning.
The humanistic perspective, my personal favorite, focuses on potential for personal growth. Every book takes my thirst for knowledge to uncharted territories. Reading helped me become a thinker, researcher, writer, and part-time activist. I’m not sure if that textbook will be on my bookshelf in 30 years. I know, however, that it helped me gain a deeper understanding of myself and others and broadened my appreciation for the subtleties and nuances of human behavior. Whether my career choice takes me to a 37th-floor office or a lecture hall, I know that I’ll use my experiences and desire to help others in my community and beyond.