Incarceration has impacted my life in both negative and positive ways. Positively, I am a better person. I can reflect and realize what mistakes I have made in my life and now have a chance to correct them. Negatively, I have trouble finding work and even dating due to social media and background checks. I want to be a lawyer and help the incarcerated because there is such a void in services that truly help the incarcerated while incarcerated and once they are released. I have ideas on how to curb recidivism and believe a law degree will help me become reputable. Academically, I have had challenges with school because certain schools have denied me enrolment due to my arrest record. I have no sex crimes or drug convictions but the consensus is that a convicted criminal cannot become an attorney. I aim to prove them wrong. My parents did not attend college and worked full-time. I believe that not having them there to guide me led me to believe that the life I had was what life was going to be. Going to prison and taking all of the programs I took helped me to learn there is a better way of life. I was able to teach fellow inmates how to be better men and provide for themselves through legal channels. I taught them to fight to be successful and earn every accomplishment because at the end of the day they would respect themselves as well as earn the respect of their community. I wish this to be true and am trying to prove it as such. I completed my AA with a 3.9 GPA. I am a good student and value every moment and every opportunity I am given. I want to move ahead with my life - not look back.