The biggest challenge I have ever faced was not one specific moment, but the constant pressure to follow a traditional academic path that just did not fit who I am. For a long time, I felt like I had to put on this confident persona for everyone else while I was actually dealing with a lot of social anxiety and stress. I was pushing myself toward a high-stakes university life because that is what I thought I was supposed to do, but it was honestly just making me feel more alone and overwhelmed. This struggle really shaped me because it forced me to realize that I cannot keep performing for other people. It made me value being real and honest with myself above everything else, which is a standard I now hold for all my personal and professional relationships. Deciding to step back and choose community college instead was a huge turning point for me. It was the first time I really stood up for my own mental health and financial stability instead of just doing what looked good on paper. That choice gave me the space to finally breathe and figure out what I actually want for my future. It taught me that success does not have a specific timeline and that taking care of my peace of mind is not a failure. It is actually the smartest thing I could have done for my growth. This decision allowed me to move away from the constant noise of expectations and focus on the quiet work of building a solid foundation for my career. Pursuing my education at a community college is going to give me the foundation I need to reach my real goals in computer science. I want to learn how to build software and eventually work as a software engineer one day. Being in a less stressful environment will let me focus on actually learning those technical skills rather than just trying to survive the day. I am particularly interested in how software can be used to solve real-world problems and create more efficient systems for people to interact with. I want to build a future where I am a professional who people can actually rely on and someone who stays true to their values. This path is helping me become the best version of myself without losing my mind in the process. I am excited to see where this focus takes me as I keep working toward a career that I am actually passionate about. I am ready to take this next step and prove to myself that I can build the life I have always wanted. By prioritizing my well-being and my genuine interests, I am ensuring that I will enter the tech industry as a balanced, capable, and driven individual. I know that the road ahead will still have its challenges, but I am finally walking it on my own terms, and that makes all the difference.

As a young woman entering the field of computer science, my journey has been defined by a transition from the structured, physical world of food science to the limitless possibilities of the digital world. Growing up in Chicago, I was always drawn to processes that required precision and patience. My early interests in baking taught me the importance of following complex instructions and the satisfaction of creating something from scratch. However, as I looked toward my future, I realized that my desire to build and problem-solve could have a much broader impact through technology. I’ve always been someone who prefers to work behind the scenes, focusing on my own projects, and computer science feels like the ultimate medium for that kind of independent, focused creation. Being a minority woman in STEM means more to me than just pursuing a degree; it’s about bringing a unique perspective to a field that thrives on innovation. I am currently preparing to begin my studies at the University of Advancing Technology (UAT), where I plan to focus on Cybersecurity and Software engineering. My goal is to use my technical skills to create secure, ethical digital spaces that protect the privacy and data of everyday users. I have always been fiercely protective of my community and the people I care about; especially my mother and grandmother; and I want to translate that protective instinct into a professional career where I can defend digital infrastructures from emerging threats. In a world where our most personal information is increasingly vulnerable, I want to be the one building the shields that keep people safe. In my career, I hope to bridge the gap between complex technical systems and the people who rely on them. I want to be a voice for integrity in tech, ensuring that as our world becomes more interconnected, it also becomes safer for everyone, regardless of their technical background. Transitioning from a hands-on field like food science to a technical one like computer science has taught me that the core of any success is the ability to adapt and refine a process until it works perfectly. In the kitchen, you learn to respect the chemistry of ingredients; in tech, you learn to respect the architecture of a system. Both require a high level of discipline and an eye for detail, but computer science offers the opportunity to impact people on a global scale. By pursuing a career in STEM, I am not only building a path for my own independent success but also working to ensure that the future of technology is inclusive, resilient, and secure. I am ready to apply the discipline I learned in my past experiences to the challenges of computer science, proving that with adaptability and focus, I can contribute something truly meaningful to the tech landscape. Ultimately, I want to ensure that as our world becomes more interconnected, it also becomes more secure, providing peace of mind for users who deserve the safety of the digital products they use. I am committed to using my education at UAT to become a leader in cybersecurity, advocating for ethical practices and robust security measures that protect the most vulnerable members of our digital society.