The people who have inspired me most are the single mothers in my family. Throughout my childhood, I watched them work tirelessly to provide for their children while navigating financial hardship, limited support, and countless responsibilities. They demonstrated incredible resilience, yet I also saw how difficult it was to find the resources and assistance they needed. Watching their perseverance showed me the strength of a mother's love, but it also revealed the gaps in the systems designed to support families. Those experiences shaped not only who I am but also the impact I hope to make through my education and career. I am pursuing a degree in Social Work because I believe meaningful change begins by supporting families during their most vulnerable moments. My goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker specializing in maternal and infant health, where I can advocate for mothers, children, and underserved families. During my internship at a children's hospital, I shadowed social workers in the Fetal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where I witnessed families facing high-risk pregnancies, unexpected diagnoses, and overwhelming uncertainty. I saw that healing involves much more than medical treatment. Families also need emotional support, guidance, and access to resources that help them navigate life's most difficult challenges. My education is preparing me to provide that support while also addressing the larger systemic issues that contribute to inequality. As an African American woman, I am particularly passionate about improving maternal health outcomes and expanding access to culturally responsive healthcare. Black women continue to experience disproportionately high rates of maternal health complications and barriers to quality care. I want to advocate for programs and policies that reduce these disparities while ensuring that every family is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. While I hope to make a difference one family at a time, my vision extends beyond individual cases. I want to help create stronger communities by connecting families with mental health services, parenting education, financial resources, and community support before they reach a crisis. I believe that investing in parents ultimately invests in children, creating healthier families and breaking cycles of hardship that can persist across generations. My education is more than a personal achievement—it is a tool that will allow me to serve others. Every course I complete, every internship I pursue, and every experience I gain bring me closer to becoming the advocate I aspire to be. The women who inspired my journey taught me the importance of resilience, but they also taught me that no one should have to face life's challenges alone. I hope that the work I do will ensure that future generations of mothers and children have access to the support, resources, and opportunities they deserve. If I can help even one family feel empowered, heard, and hopeful during a difficult season of life, I will know that I am creating the kind of impact that first inspired me to pursue social work.

If you had asked my teachers or classmates to describe me growing up, they probably would have said, "She's really quiet." Not the "doesn't like people" kind of quiet—just the kind that preferred listening over talking. I was always the person sitting back, watching everything unfold. While everyone else was caught up in conversations, I was paying attention to the little things: who always sat together, who seemed upset despite smiling, who was left out, or who looked like they were carrying something they weren't ready to talk about. Over time, my friends started joking that I somehow knew everyone's business without ever speaking to anyone. The truth was, I wasn't trying to be nosy. I was just incredibly observant. People reveal so much through their body language, tone of voice, and interactions with others. I became fascinated by the way people communicate without saying anything at all. Being quiet wasn't always something I appreciated. In school, the students who spoke the most often seemed to be viewed as the most confident or the most capable. I sometimes wondered if I should force myself to be louder or more outgoing just to fit that expectation. It took me a long time to realize that quietness and confidence aren't opposites. My confidence simply looked different. Looking back, I think my quiet nature is what first sparked my interest in understanding people. I found myself constantly asking why people behaved the way they did. Why did two people react so differently to the same situation? Why did someone's childhood seem to shape the person they became? Why could someone seem perfectly happy on the outside while struggling internally? Those questions eventually led me to study psychology and pursue a career in social work. I've come to realize that one of the most valuable skills a future social worker can have isn't always knowing what to say—it's knowing how to listen. Many people don't immediately open up about what they're going through. Sometimes they communicate through silence, hesitation, or subtle changes in behavior. Being naturally observant has helped me recognize those moments, and I hope it allows the people I work with to feel truly seen and understood. I'm still the quiet person in most rooms. I still prefer listening before speaking, and I still notice things that other people often overlook. The difference is that I no longer see those qualities as something I need to change. They've become one of my greatest strengths. So while some people are remembered for being the loudest person in the room, I'm perfectly happy being the one quietly paying attention. More often than not, that's where I've learned the most—not just about other people, but about myself as well.

Growing up in a single-parent household shaped not only my educational journey but also the person I aspire to become. I watched the single mothers in my family work tirelessly to provide for their children while balancing financial responsibilities, raising families, and overcoming challenges with little support. Although they did everything they could, I also saw how difficult it was to navigate systems that often lacked accessible resources and assistance. Their strength inspired me, but it also opened my eyes to the barriers many single-parent families face every day. Seeing these experiences firsthand motivated me to pursue higher education with a clear sense of purpose. I realized that education would give me the knowledge and skills to advocate for families facing similar challenges. Rather than allowing difficult circumstances to limit my goals, they became the reason I pushed myself academically. I challenged myself through rigorous coursework, transferred to Florida Atlantic University to continue pursuing my bachelor's degree in Social Work, and sought out internships that would prepare me for a career dedicated to helping others. My experiences have reinforced my passion for supporting children and families, particularly in maternal and infant health. During my internships at a children's hospital and with a victim advocate, I witnessed how financial hardship, limited support systems, and traumatic experiences can affect an entire family. I also saw the difference that compassionate professionals can make by connecting individuals with resources, advocating for their needs, and providing emotional support during some of life's most difficult moments. Those experiences confirmed that I had chosen the right career path. In the future, I hope to give back to my community by becoming a licensed clinical social worker specializing in maternal and infant health. I want to support single mothers by helping them access healthcare, mental health services, financial resources, and parenting support so they can build stable and healthy futures for themselves and their children. I also hope to advocate for policies and community programs that address disparities affecting underserved families, particularly Black women, who continue to face significant barriers to quality maternal healthcare. Growing up in a single-parent household taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of community. It showed me that no family should have to navigate life's challenges alone. My education is more than a personal achievement—it is a way for me to honor the sacrifices made by the women who raised me and to ensure that future generations of families receive the support, resources, and opportunities they deserve.

My decision to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector comes from a belief that every individual deserves access to support, compassion, and opportunities to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Growing up, I watched the single mothers in my family work tirelessly to provide for their children while navigating financial hardship, limited resources, and little support. Their resilience inspired me, but it also made me realize that too many families are forced to overcome significant barriers without the help they need. I want to dedicate my career to changing that. My passion for nonprofit work has grown through both personal experiences and hands-on learning. During my internship at a children's hospital, I shadowed social workers in the Fetal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I witnessed families making life-changing medical decisions while also coping with financial stress, postpartum mental health concerns, housing insecurity, and uncertainty about the future. I saw how social workers provided more than resources—they offered stability, reassurance, and hope during some of the most difficult moments in a family's life. That experience showed me the profound impact compassionate advocacy can have on both immediate outcomes and long-term well-being. I also strengthened my commitment to advocacy while shadowing a victim advocate working with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I learned that healing often begins with something as simple as listening without judgment and ensuring someone knows they are not alone. Supporting survivors requires empathy, trust, and access to community resources, all of which are central to the mission of nonprofit organizations. These experiences reinforced my desire to work alongside organizations that prioritize people over profit and are committed to addressing the root causes of inequality. As an African American woman, I am especially aware of the disparities that disproportionately affect Black women and underserved communities, particularly in maternal health. Black women continue to experience higher rates of maternal mortality, barriers to quality healthcare, and limited access to culturally responsive services. My long-term goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker specializing in maternal and infant health while partnering with nonprofit organizations that advocate for equitable healthcare, mental health support, and family-centered services. I hope to help develop programs that empower parents, improve access to care, and strengthen families before crises occur. Ultimately, I want my work to create lasting change by addressing both individual needs and systemic barriers. Whether I am helping a new mother access postpartum support, connecting a survivor with life-changing resources, or advocating for policies that improve health outcomes, I want every person I serve to feel heard, respected, and empowered. I believe nonprofit organizations have the unique ability to create meaningful change through compassion, collaboration, and community, and I am eager to contribute to that mission throughout my career.

From an early age, I watched the single mothers in my family work tirelessly to provide for their children despite facing financial hardship, limited resources, and little support. Their resilience inspired me, but it also made me realize how often families are expected to navigate overwhelming challenges alone. Seeing the effects that these barriers had on both mothers and their children sparked my passion for social work and my commitment to breaking cycles of hardship through advocacy, education, and compassionate support. As I continue my education, I hope to make a meaningful impact by working in maternal and infant health, domestic violence, and sexual assault advocacy. While these areas may seem distinct, they are deeply interconnected. Families facing medical crises often experience financial instability, relationship challenges, or abuse, and survivors of violence frequently require long-term emotional, medical, and community support. I want to be the person who helps individuals navigate these difficult moments with dignity, empathy, and access to the resources they need. My passion for maternal and infant health grew during my internship at a children's hospital, where I had the opportunity to shadow social workers in both the Fetal Center and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I witnessed parents facing unimaginable decisions, including whether to continue high-risk pregnancies or care for critically ill newborns. Beyond the medical challenges, many families struggled with concerns such as postpartum depression, financial insecurity, lack of insurance, employment issues, and limited support from partners or extended family. Watching social workers guide families through these moments showed me how powerful compassionate advocacy can be. It reinforced my desire to support parents during some of the most vulnerable experiences of their lives. My interest in domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy was strengthened through an internship shadowing a victim advocate. I saw firsthand how something as simple as listening without judgment, explaining available resources, or standing beside someone during a difficult process could have a lasting impact. These experiences taught me that healing often begins when people feel believed, supported, and empowered. They also deepened my commitment to challenging the stigma and victim-blaming that too often surround survivors. By promoting education, empathy, and access to services, I hope to help create communities where survivors feel safe seeking help. As an African American woman, I am especially aware of the disparities that disproportionately affect Black women. They experience higher rates of maternal health complications, domestic violence, and barriers to accessing quality healthcare and supportive services. My long-term goal is to advocate for policies and programs that improve outcomes for underserved women and families while ensuring they receive culturally competent, compassionate care. I want to be part of creating systems where every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the support they deserve. Completing my education will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and experience to turn these goals into action. I hope to make a positive impact not only by supporting individuals during their most difficult moments but also by addressing the systemic barriers that contribute to inequality. My goal is to help create stronger families, healthier communities, and opportunities for future generations to thrive.

Would you rather dread going to work every day but enjoy the income it brings, or wake up excited to do something you love, even if the income isn’t guaranteed to be high? Many people spend their lives trying to choose between security and passion. For a while, this was a dilemma I faced, too. But that changed the day I discovered social work. Finding a path that aligns my passion with purpose has been one of my greatest achievements. It shaped my college journey, taught me the value of meaningful work, and gave me the motivation to pursue a career I genuinely believe in. I first discovered social work during an internship where I had the opportunity to conduct two informational interviews. At the time, I was interested in psychology, so I spoke with a psychologist. She shared that her work mostly centered on therapy and research, and that the income was promising. While I was drawn to therapy, I wanted a career that offered more. Later that day, I interviewed a social worker. That conversation changed everything. I learned that social work wasn’t limited to one path. One could work in school settings, hospitals, the criminal justice system, and more. It was a field rooted in advocacy and service, with room to grow and explore different specialties over time. That broad, meaningful scope was exactly what I had been searching for. After discovering social work, I had to see if this new interest could truly become a passion. I secured a three-month internship at a hospital where I shadowed medical social workers across different departments. I spent time in the NICU and the Fetal Center, observing how social workers supported expectant and new mothers. I also spent time with the Center for Family, Safety, and Healing, where I witnessed the impact social workers had on survivors of domestic violence. These moments opened my eyes to both the pain people carry and the impact of the support of social workers. That internship showed me how social workers serve as a steady presence during life’s most vulnerable moments. I knew then that this wasn’t just an interest, it was a calling. This experience taught me that I thrive when I feel connected to my purpose. It gave me a sense of direction that many struggle to find. I no longer viewed education as a checklist of requirements but as a stepping stone toward something I genuinely cared about. When college gets difficult, I remind myself of those families in the hospital and the lives I hope to impact. That reminder pushes me forward, even when things feel overwhelming. In the future, I plan to pursue a career in maternal health and advocacy-based social work. I want to serve women, especially mothers, who face systemic gaps in care and emotional support. Whether I’m working in a hospital or through a nonprofit, I hope to be a person who makes their journey a little lighter and makes them feel supported. Discovering my passion for social work is my greatest achievement because it has given my life purpose and direction. I no longer view success solely in terms of income or titles, but by the impact I can make. That’s something I will carry with me into every part of my future.

“It takes a village to raise a child.” This is something we hear often, but for me, it became a lived reality. Being raised by a single mother reinforced this idea tremendously. My mother didn’t have the support of my father, but instead leaned on the help of other family members, who were mostly women. Through the women in my life, I witnessed firsthand the disparities they face within their families, communities, and society as a whole. Being raised and influenced by these strong women, especially my mother, inspired me to pursue a career in maternal health social work. I plan to devote both my education and future career to serving women through social work in healthcare settings. Currently, as a junior in college, I’ve focused my education on building the foundation I need to be successful in this field. I intentionally seek out courses that help me grow not only in knowledge but also in empathy and practical skills. These courses have taught me how to better understand the challenges that women face, especially those navigating motherhood alone, and how I can support them effectively through my work. Beyond the classroom, I take every opportunity to immerse myself in hands-on learning. In high school, I pursued internships in social work, recognizing that experience outside of academics would be critical to shaping my path. I plan to continue doing so throughout college, always seeking new ways to expand my perspective and apply what I learn in real-life settings. Volunteering also plays a major role in how I pursue my goals. Contributing to organizations that advocate for and provide social services allows me to gain meaningful experience while also supporting women and communities in need. It also puts me in the presence of passionate, experienced social workers whose mentorship and example continue to shape my understanding of the profession. I know that staying involved and giving back during college will help prepare me for a more informed, compassionate career. After college, I plan to fully commit myself to a career in maternal health social work. Whether I find my place in a hospital, a nonprofit organization, or a community clinic, my goal is the same: to serve women like my mother and the other women who raised me. I want to advocate for their psycho-social, emotional, and environmental needs. Needs that are often overlooked or under-resourced in our society. These women deserve more than they’ve received, and I intend to be part of the change that helps provide them with the support, care, and dignity they deserve. Mothers are the backbone of our communities, yet they’re often expected to carry the weight of the world with little to no support. I’ve seen the emotional and physical toll single parenting can take, and I’m determined to be someone who shows up for those women. Living in a single-parent household hasn’t just shaped my career goals; it’s become the reason behind them.

“A healthy outside starts from the inside,” a quote by Robert Urich, speaks to the powerful connection between our inner world and overall well-being. Making holistic health and healing more mainstream in healthcare could significantly transform health outcomes around the world. This scholarship would provide the assistance I need to use my social work career to improve mental health and wellness by implementing holistic approaches that address both emotional and physical health. I plan to integrate services centered on easing emotional stress and burnout while also reducing the physical illness that so often accompanies them. Throughout my career, I’d like to implement four core services: sleep recovery, life realignment sessions, a mind-body reset lounge, and purpose and meaning mentorship. One of the leading contributors to stress and burnout is a lack of quality sleep. Sleep is essential to both our mental and physical health, and it’s far more complex than simply getting 6–8 hours a night. This program would involve hiring specialists to monitor clients’ sleep patterns and coach them on building better sleep hygiene and routines. According to the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, “insufficient sleep increases negative responses to stressors and decreases positive emotions”. As a social worker, I aim to incorporate sleep recovery services to help individuals restore balance and reduce the emotional strain caused by chronic exhaustion. We often overlook how our everyday choices, like our relationships, spiritual life, environment, and careers, affect our mental wellness. These aspects of life are sometimes sources of stress and burnout, yet we’re either afraid to change them or unaware that we can. I want to offer life-redesign coaching as a service, guiding clients to reassess what and who in their lives are no longer serving them. This kind of intentional self-examination allows people to let go of what’s draining them and pursue a life that fulfills them. Supporting these changes could greatly reduce long-term emotional strain. Another factor contributing to burnout is the feeling of lacking purpose. Many people live life on autopilot, simply getting by. That emotional disconnect often leads to a deeper sense of unfulfillment. Over time, we suppress those feelings, and the body begins to respond with fatigue, anxiety, and other signs of shutdown. Through psycho-spiritual mentoring, I hope to help individuals reconnect with their sense of meaning. Using a blend of meditation, spiritual direction, and philosophical inquiry, this service would support clients in building internal meaning outside of traditional therapy. Living with intention, rather than out of obligation, can uplift the spirit and drastically reduce the weight of burnout. Lastly, I want to address nervous system overload by developing a mind-body reset lounge. In today’s fast-paced world, our bodies rarely get the chance to fully downshift. This lounge would offer a calming, sensory-based space for people to decompress and reconnect with themselves. Through elements like aromatherapy, sound healing, grounding textures, and soft ambient lighting, the environment would encourage regulation and rest. I believe everyone deserves access to this kind of reset, and I hope to advocate for these spaces to be implemented in workplaces, schools, and healthcare settings. In conclusion, receiving this scholarship would not only support my education but also allow me to move forward with a vision that blends social work with holistic healing. My goal is to help people reconnect with themselves mentally, physically, and spiritually, so they can live more meaningful, balanced lives.

Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by the mind—how it works, what drives it, and how it shapes who we are. As I grew older, I noticed subtle but significant shifts in how my own mind functioned. My thoughts became more complex, my self-awareness deepened, and I began to recognize patterns in my behavior, emotions, and motivations. I started to see how my upbringing, environment, and personal experiences were not just background noise—they were actively shaping my personality and cognitive processes. This realization sparked my interest in psychology. I began to explore my own mind with almost obsessive curiosity. I would stay up late, staring at the ceiling, analyzing my thoughts and emotions, convinced that every feeling held a deeper meaning. Whenever my mental health declined, I instinctively searched for a psychological explanation. This drive to understand myself opened the door to a broader desire to understand others. The internet became my first teacher. I started with articles that resonated with me personally, then expanded to academic papers, forums, and books—anything that could deepen my understanding. What began as a self-focused journey quickly evolved into an exploration of the human mind in general. I became curious about the internal worlds of those around me—my family, friends, peers. Raised by my mother and grandmother alongside two older sisters, I grew up surrounded by women. Yet, as the youngest, I was rarely seen as a source of support. Our household didn’t prioritize emotional expression; we rarely talked about how we felt. Everyone was left to navigate their mental health in silence. As we all grew older, however, communication slowly opened up. That’s when I began to understand the hidden struggles each woman in my family had endured—abuse, depression, anxiety, trauma. They had suffered quietly, resilient but unsupported. By then, my interest in mental health had deepened into something more purposeful. My focus shifted from general psychology to advocacy for women’s mental health. The more I learned about the systemic injustices women—especially women of color—face in society, the more determined I became. From political discourse to media representation, it became clear: women are often overlooked, dismissed, and underserved. Not just by systems and institutions, but sometimes by their own communities and families. This is why women-centered social work has become my goal. I want to create spaces where women are not only seen and heard, but deeply supported. My ambition is to become a mental health advocate and professional who champions trauma-informed care, intersectionality, and empowerment. Outside of academics and career aspirations, this mission has transformed my personal relationships. I began initiating more open, honest conversations with the women in my life—friends, relatives, even acquaintances. We talked about our lives, the challenges we face, and how we cope. These conversations brought healing. Everyone began to feel more valued, understood, and respected. I extended this mindset to strangers, always choosing compassion and empathy over judgment, community over competition. This journey also helped me understand my identity. I realized I am a feminist—not in the distorted sense where feminism is equated with male hatred, but in its true form: a belief in equality, justice, and human dignity. Being a feminist, to me, means advocating for the humanity of women and girls, and also challenging men to grow beyond harmful societal norms. It means seeing people as whole human beings, worthy of love, care, and opportunity. My vision is to help build a world where no one, especially women, feels alone in their mental health journey. Where support systems are robust, accessible, and rooted in empathy. Where people can grow in safe, affirming environments. My experience with mental health has not just shaped what I want to do—it has shaped who I am, how I connect with others, and how I envision the future.

Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by the mind—how it works, what drives it, and how it shapes who we are. As I grew older, I noticed subtle but significant shifts in how my own mind functioned. My thoughts became more complex, my self-awareness deepened, and I began to recognize patterns in my behavior, emotions, and motivations. I started to see how my upbringing, environment, and personal experiences were not just background noise—they were actively shaping my personality and cognitive processes. This realization sparked my interest in psychology. I began to explore my own mind with almost obsessive curiosity. I would stay up late, staring at the ceiling, analyzing my thoughts and emotions, convinced that every feeling held a deeper meaning. Whenever my mental health declined, I instinctively searched for a psychological explanation. This drive to understand myself opened the door to a broader desire to understand others. The internet became my first teacher. I started with articles that resonated with me personally, then expanded to academic papers, forums, and books—anything that could deepen my understanding. What began as a self-focused journey quickly evolved into an exploration of the human mind in general. I became curious about the internal worlds of those around me—my family, friends, peers. Raised by my mother and grandmother alongside two older sisters, I grew up surrounded by women. Yet, as the youngest, I was rarely seen as a source of support. Our household didn’t prioritize emotional expression; we rarely talked about how we felt. Everyone was left to navigate their mental health in silence. As we all grew older, however, communication slowly opened up. That’s when I began to understand the hidden struggles each woman in my family had endured—abuse, depression, anxiety, trauma. They had suffered quietly, resilient but unsupported. By then, my interest in mental health had deepened into something more purposeful. My focus shifted from general psychology to advocacy for women’s mental health. The more I learned about the systemic injustices women—especially women of color—face in society, the more determined I became. From political discourse to media representation, it became clear: women are often overlooked, dismissed, and underserved. Not just by systems and institutions, but sometimes by their own communities and families. This is why women-centered social work has become my goal. I want to create spaces where women are not only seen and heard, but deeply supported. My ambition is to become a mental health advocate and professional who champions trauma-informed care, intersectionality, and empowerment. Outside of academics and career aspirations, this mission has transformed my personal relationships. I began initiating more open, honest conversations with the women in my life—friends, relatives, even acquaintances. We talked about our lives, the challenges we face, and how we cope. These conversations brought healing. Everyone began to feel more valued, understood, and respected. I extended this mindset to strangers, always choosing compassion and empathy over judgment, community over competition. This journey also helped me understand my identity. I realized I am a feminist—not in the distorted sense where feminism is equated with male hatred, but in its true form: a belief in equality, justice, and human dignity. Being a feminist, to me, means advocating for the humanity of women and girls, and also challenging men to grow beyond harmful societal norms. It means seeing people as whole human beings, worthy of love, care, and opportunity. My vision is to help build a world where no one, especially women, feels alone in their mental health journey. Where support systems are robust, accessible, and rooted in empathy. Where people can grow in safe, affirming environments. My experience with mental health has not just shaped what I want to do—it has shaped who I am, how I connect with others, and how I envision the future.

Maternal health has been a passion of mine for many years. Raised by the women in my family as the youngest child, I was never the one they turned to for support. But as I grew older, I began to see the struggles they faced—disparities in healthcare, lack of resources, and emotional challenges. These observations inspired my commitment to support women, especially mothers, in meaningful and lasting ways. As a future social worker, I aim to build a nonprofit organization called The Motherhood Project. This organization will serve women who are trying to conceive, are pregnant, or are new mothers. Its mission is to reduce maternal mortality, address maternal mental health, and bridge the gap in resources that many women face during this critical stage of life. All services will be free and funded by government grants and community sponsors. The Motherhood Project will offer three core programs: Heart Talk, Cradle Care, and The Nest Hub. Heart Talk will provide counseling services to women and families. Licensed therapists will offer mental health support during pregnancy and postpartum, including individual therapy and group support circles. The program will also offer family and marital counseling to help create stable home environments for children. Emotional well-being is vital during the perinatal period, and these services will help mothers cope with challenges and reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Cradle Care will focus on clinical and holistic care for women who are trying to conceive, are pregnant, or have recently given birth. Women and their babies—up to 24 months of age—will have access to free checkups, midwifery and OB-GYN referrals, lactation consultations, and wellness screenings. Special care will be available for pregnant teens and women considering their options. This program will address healthcare access gaps and work to lower maternal and infant mortality rates. The Nest Hub will serve as a centralized resource center. Social workers, case managers, and advocates will help participants navigate services, including financial assistance, housing, transportation, and food support. The Hub will also offer baby supplies, parenting classes, and childcare referrals. For needs outside the organization’s reach, we will collaborate with trusted community partners to ensure women receive the support they need. Building The Motherhood Project will require broad support, but its impact could be transformative. Every person is connected to a mother, and every mother deserves the care and resources to thrive. By combining emotional, clinical, and practical support, this organization will strengthen families and empower women. As a social worker, this vision represents my ultimate career goal: to build a future where maternal health is prioritized, supported, and celebrated—one mother at a time.

Early childhood development trauma reinforces itself in young-adult/adulthood causing people to become stuck in unhealthy or toxic situations. For this prompt, I will be using an example of sexual assault on a child. When mentioning sexual assault, it's important to recognize it as an umbrella term consisting of rape, molestation, and harassment. The consequences that I will mention are not general to all survivors and I do not want to tell someone's story for them or for anyone to assume this applies to all survivors. It's important to note that these consequences could also apply to other forms of abuse and is not limited to sexual assault. When a child has experienced a trauma like sexual assault it's common for it to follow them throughout their life. This could impact how they interact with their peers, how they are in relationships, and how they perceive certain people or things in the world. This could also cause unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol abuse, substance abuse, or self-harm. Habits like this are difficult to get rid of and can have a long-lasting or life-threatening impact on a person. Sexual assault is a difficult thing to talk about and can be difficult for a child to understand. In some cases, children don't even realize they have experienced this but may feel some effects of it. As they get older they may notice that it's hard to engage in sexual activity or they may recognize that they are hyper-sexual. In some cases, especially as a young child, survivors may engage in similar acts with other children continuing a cycle of exposure to sex at a young age. Survivors of sexual assault often find it difficult to find a safe space to discuss their experiences and how it affects them. This could lead to more unhealthy coping mechanisms and years of battling with something with no guidance on how to deal with it. We offer mental health services but what if they don't have access to these services? We encourage them to speak out about it but if they're ridiculed and victim-blamed then what are we doing about it? Being a social worker, I want to advocate for those survivors. For the children who have been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused or neglected, I want to provide a safe space for them. Some time in my career I'd like to create or work with a non-profit organization that does this. I want to provide mental health resources, peer resources so that survivors can talk to each other, advocacy resources, and legal resources. In my career, I'd also like to fight to make policies that require these resources to be available to children in the system, since they are at high risk for early childhood developmental trauma. I want to make a change in the legal system that holds abusers accountable and that prioritizes and fights for justice for survivors.

My mother is more than just a mother to me. She's a friend, mentor, manager, counselor, and parent all in one. She has influenced me to become an independent, ambitious woman as she is. My mom has been a single mother for the majority of motherhood. She has prioritized all four of her children regardless of the troubles she faced. My siblings and I, when we were younger, did not even recognize her troubles. We did not recognize how difficult it was to be a single mother of four, working to survive, balancing relationships, and caretaking for her mother. Throughout all of this, my mom has shown strength and resilience. This has been very admirable for me. With my father not being very active in my life, my mom has always been everything to me. I aspire to be the mother she was to me to my future kids. I realize that not all children have grown up with a supportive, nurturing mother and how damaging this could be to someone. I've seen this firsthand with friends. I want to provide that to the children who haven't experienced it. Although I grew up with a wonderful mother I missed the father figure in my life and I realized the impact that has had on me, This is what has inspired me to become a foster parent hoping to lead to adoption when I am married. I want to provide neglected children with the love and support that my mother has given me and with a family. This has been a goal of mine for quite some time now and when my future partner and I are in a position where we have enough to give, I plan to do just that. In addition to being supportive and nurturing, her ambition and drive has inspired my own. My mother has taught me to always strive to be in a position where you can take care of yourself without having to depend on others. She taught me to never settle for less and to always strive for better. I've seen my mom grow into the person she wants to be with everything she wants to have. This message has driven me to want the best for myself and to work for that. Some may say that I am spoiled and have had things handed to me without having to work for them. Being the youngest of a successful woman and being the last child in the house this is true. My mom has not always had it easy, she's lived in poverty, she's faced discrimination being an African American woman in America, as well as being a single mother which comes with a lot. However, she did not let this stop her from striving for better and achieving that. She is now in a place where she can provide me with all of my needs and wants. I have not had to work for much but I will not let that hold me back from working for my future. I do not expect everything to be handed to me and I may experience similar struggles as my mother. Regardless of this, as she has taught me, I will always strive and work for better. Overall, my mom has inspired me to be independent, ambitious, and supportive. The traits I've seen in her are traits I see in myself that I never want to lose. I hope to inspire my children as my mother has inspired me and as her mother has inspired her. I want to carry on this legacy.

Success demands persistence in the face of failure. We can not say we want to achieve something and then give up when it does not work out. Success is about resilience. You must keep trying in many different ways to achieve something your mind can not comprehend. When one way doesn't work, try a different way, and if that doesn't work try something new. Success is also something that can be incremental or developmental. It's small acts of success that add up to something big. I can use myself to illustrate this. I have a passion to make an impact on people and to make a change in our society. This is a passion I started to develop in high school when I started to see things differently. I started analyzing everything, my thoughts, my feelings, the behaviors of my peers, etc. I realized that we are all complex humans who have gone through so many different experiences that have shaped us as the days went by. A lot of these experiences have negative outcomes that many people get stuck in. A lack of stability and comfort can lead to mental illness or substance abuse which continues as we grow older and next thing you know we can not keep a job or we do not have stable housing. Growing up with being so conscious of the complex lifestyles we all live and the effects they have on us I knew I wanted to do something to minimize the amount of people that are stuck. This is one example of success, acknowledging an issue in the world and wanting to do something to change it. My high school brain wanted to do this through child psychology. This is another example of success, I figured out a way to help fix the issue that I acknowledged, a way to be of service to my community. After learning more about what being a psychologist is I felt like the career was too limited for me and I began pursuing other careers. This is another development in my success, I realized that the career did not fit me but I did not give up and I kept pursuing other ways to fix the issue. I then became introduced to social work. I immediately felt connected to it and loved the variety of opportunities to be of service to people in the field. Here is another example of success I found something that fit me and began learning as much as I could about it. I participated in various amount of internships involving social work before college so I could be sure of my degree focus and I am sticking to it. So I decided on a career to help fix the issue and make a change in society but I most likely will not begin this career until 4-6 years from now. I wondered, what can I do now to make a change? So I began looking at volunteer opportunities to get my foot in the door in making change and learning more about politics and the policies put in place that keep us stuck. I am sure I will encounter many obstacles and experience many failures in my work but I can not let this stop me from achieving my goal. Success is about continuing through those obstacles and failures. Success does not have to be one big thing. It can be small events that help you get to that bigger thing. It can be the smallest events that have brought you happiness or someone else happiness.

Several women have pushed or supported me on my education and career journey. It began the summer before my sophomore year of high school. I joined the Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) Program at Nationwide Children's Hospital led by two women who supported my goals. Building that connection with them over the summer provided me with opportunities I did not know were in store for me. During my junior year of high school, students were required to attend an internship every Wednesday. We had to find our own internships. Since I spent so much time at Children's during the summer I wondered if there were any internship opportunities for me there so I contacted one of the women that were leading the program. After providing her with information about my interests and availability she worked with other people to create an internship for me in her department, Community Wellness. During this internship, I shadowed a different department(mostly women) each week and on the last week, I was introduced to my current dream career, social work. After learning about the career and spending even more time at Children's I wanted to pursue more opportunities at the hospital more centered on my newfound career interest. Through UBMS I was introduced to another summer internship program at Children's called the Surgical Exploration & Exposure (SEE) Program. This was not centered on social work but it was at the hospital where I gained a love being. I also had a previous interest in being a physician and wanted to have the experience to know if It was still an interest to me or not. The SEE program was new and only had 5 available spots. So I decided to apply and if I didn't get into it I would know it wasn't for me but if I did I would take up that opportunity. I ended up getting into the program which was also led by a woman while being instructed by another woman of color. During the internship program, I learned so much about the hospital environment and the amount of career opportunities in a hospital, while networking with doctors and leaders of the hospital. There was not any mention of social work during this program but the experience was enough for me however it reassured me of my interest in social work. During my senior year, we were required to do another internship. I connected with the same woman from the UBMS program to see if there were any opportunities in the social work field. This led me to have an internship in School-Based Behavioral Health through the Children's Hospital. I was supervised by a social worker of color who greatly inspired me. The internship was enough for me to know I wanted to work in this field but I knew there was more to see. Thankfully, I was contacted by the SEE program again for the summer. They were continuing with year 2 but focused on the desired field of each student. I spent my summer of senior year at Children's Hospital again, shadowing clinical social workers and several different departments of the hospital. This is when I learned that the field was very broad and mostly consisted of women. It was empowering, to see so many different women working in a field to make a positive impact on people in so many different ways. All of the women I have learned from and who have given me opportunities to pursue and learn about my dream career have inspired me and supported me in accomplishing my goals.

As someone pursuing a degree in social work, I have a deep desire to help those in need. A social work degree program typically includes courses on human behavior, social welfare policy, and methods of intervention. I will have the opportunity to complete field placements where I can apply my knowledge and skills in real-world settings. In addition to the required coursework, I can choose to specialize in a particular area of social work, such as child welfare, mental health, or community development. These specializations would allow me to focus my studies and gain expertise in a specific area of practice. Upon graduation, I can pursue a variety of career paths. I could choose to work in government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private practice. Common job titles for social work graduates include social worker, case manager, and counselor. Overall, a social work degree provides a strong foundation for those who want to make a difference in the lives of others. With the right education and training, social workers can help empower individuals and communities, advocate for social justice, and create positive change in the world. I intend to do just that. There are so many ways to use a social work degree to make a positive impact on the world. One of the most obvious is to work directly with individuals and families who are struggling with a variety of challenges, such as poverty, homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues. As a social worker, you can help these individuals access the resources and support they need to overcome these challenges and live healthy, fulfilling lives. Another way I can use my social work degree is to work in policy and advocacy. This involves advocating for changes in laws, regulations, and policies that affect vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. By working to change these policies, I can help create a more just and equitable society, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. In addition to these direct and indirect ways of helping others, social workers can also play a vital role in research and scholarship. By conducting rigorous research and analysis, social workers can help identify new ways to address social problems and inform policy and practice decisions. Ultimately, the possibilities for using a social work degree to help those in need are endless. Whether I choose to work directly with individuals and families, advocate for policy change, or conduct research and scholarship, I will make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, and help create a better world for all.

An intelligent planet is a fully connected world where people and devices communicate efficiently, enhancing human experiences while preserving our planet. In order to achieve this vision, my focus is on improving global connectivity by investing in high-speed internet, mobile networks, and satellite technology. This concerted effort will ensure that everyone has access to reliable and fast connectivity, bridging the digital divide and enabling more people to participate in the global digital economy. Developing smart cities is also a priority for me. Smart cities use technology to optimize urban living, making cities more efficient, sustainable, and livable. By implementing solutions such as smart transportation systems, energy-efficient buildings, and intelligent waste management, we can reduce our carbon footprint and make our cities more livable for everyone. Furthermore, smart cities can also improve public safety and security by implementing advanced surveillance systems and emergency response protocols. It is important to explore various funding sources for high-speed internet and satellite technology. This could involve seeking government grants or private investments, as well as partnering with established technology companies to develop and implement these systems. By expanding access to reliable and fast internet, we can help bridge the digital divide and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in the global economy and access essential services. In addition, I believe that intelligent agriculture is an area that requires focused attention. By leveraging technology such as drones, sensors, and machine learning, we can optimize crop yields and reduce waste. This will help us to become more efficient and sustainable in our agricultural practices. Through the use of precision agriculture techniques, we can improve the accuracy and efficacy of farming practices, leading to healthier crops and increased food production. Additionally, intelligent agriculture can also reduce the environmental impact of farming by minimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers and conserving water resources. When discussing the importance of improving global connectivity and creating smart cities, it's essential to consider the potential challenges that may arise during the implementation of these initiatives. While there are many benefits to these concepts, it's crucial to recognize that difficult decisions and sacrifices may need to be made along the way. By acknowledging these potential obstacles, we can better prepare to confront them directly and ensure that our efforts to improve connectivity are successful and sustainable over time With the help of Automation and Embedded Computing products and solutions, we can enable a smarter planet that caters to our needs and makes our lives more comfortable. These products empower the development of smarter working and living, providing us with the resources we need to stay ahead of the curve. By embracing Automation and Embedded Computing solutions, we can create a world that is both efficient and sustainable, allowing us to achieve our goals while protecting the environment. Whether we are automating our factories or enhancing our homes with intelligent devices, these technologies have the potential to transform the way we live and work, enabling us to create a brighter future for ourselves and our planet.

Education has been a core value in my life since before I started Kindergarten. My grandmother began teaching me in my Pre-Kindergarten years, the information I would begin to learn in Kindergarten. I believe being ahead of most of my classes resulted from that. I was always the "smart kid" in my class. However, in high school, things began to shift. During the end of middle school, preparing for high school I had the option to choose which high school I wanted to attend within the district. Not knowing where to start, I could have just chosen the most popular school or the school all of my friends were going to like most students did. However, since I have always been an academic person I decided to begin my search based on academics. Since I never was academically challenged during my elementary and middle school years, I wanted to go to a high school that would challenge me. After doing research, I chose my top three schools and got into the second choice. Going into this school, I wanted an academic challenge but was not really expecting one. However, early on in the year, I realized some of the classes I took were challenging. One of the classes was my Biology class. The topics in the class were difficult for me to understand and retain. It did not help that the majority of my grade was based on tests and not classwork, which I did better in. This was my first experience of receiving "bad grades." I struggled throughout the class up until COVID came. With COVID, we did not take many tests and have much work assigned the rest of the year. However, my struggles did not stop there. Going into my sophomore year, I took Chemistry. COVID was still around and we did a mixture of virtual and in-person classes. Still, all of our assignments were online. For Chemistry, we used a website that explained the topics and then we would answer questions on it. For me, this was easy because I was able to use my notes while taking the tests. However, I still did not understand or retain any of the information. That is when I decided that science was not my strong suit and I would not always be the "smart kid." Because of COVID and how it affected my class assignments, I feel that I did not get enough of a challenge. So I decided to sign up for International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. IB classes are similar to AP classes but more advanced and rigorous. During my junior year, I took three IB classes, which were two-year courses and added on another my senior year. The four IB classes I took were in my core subjects: Math, Science, English, and Social Studies. These classes developed my greatest academic challenge yet. The workload, the academic level, and the interactiveness of these classes were something new to me. I quickly learned that I could not slack or I would quickly fall behind. I had to engage in the classroom more than I usually did. Despite the challenge, I did not give up. I adapted to the intensity of the classes and quickly learned how to keep up with my assignments. Now preparing to take IB exams, the challenge is still occurring. I keep going because I know it will prepare me for the college education that I will receive in the next four years. The college education these IB classes have helped me get accepted to.

Education has been a core value in my life since before I started Kindergarten. My grandmother began teaching me in my Pre-Kindergarten years, the information I would begin to learn in Kindergarten. I believe being ahead of most of my classes resulted from that. I was always the "smart kid" in my class. However, in high school, things began to shift. During the end of middle school, preparing for high school I had the option to choose which high school I wanted to attend within the district. Not knowing where to start, I could have just chosen the most popular school or the school all of my friends were going to like most students did. However, since I have always been an academic person I decided to begin my search based on academics. Since I never was academically challenged during my elementary and middle school years, I wanted to go to a high school that would challenge me. After doing research, I chose my top three schools and got into the second choice. Going into this school, I wanted an academic challenge but was not really expecting one. However, early on in the year, I realized some of the classes I took were challenging. One of the classes was my Biology class. The topics in the class were difficult for me to understand and retain. It did not help that the majority of my grade was based on tests and not classwork, which I did better in. This was my first experience of receiving "bad grades." I struggled throughout the class up until COVID came. With COVID, we did not take many tests and have much work assigned the rest of the year. However, my struggles did not stop there. Going into my sophomore year, I took Chemistry. COVID was still around and we did a mixture of virtual and in-person classes. Still, all of our assignments were online. For Chemistry, we used a website that explained the topics and then we would answer questions on it. For me, this was easy because I was able to use my notes while taking the tests. However, I still did not understand or retain any of the information. That is when I decided that science was not my strong suit and I would not always be the "smart kid." Because of COVID and how it affected my class assignments, I feel that I did not get enough of a challenge. So I decided to sign up for International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. IB classes are similar to AP classes but more advanced and rigorous. During my junior year, I took three IB classes, which were two-year courses and added on another my senior year. The four IB classes I took were in my core subjects: Math, Science, English, and Social Studies. These classes developed my greatest academic challenge yet. The workload, the academic level, and the interactiveness of these classes were something new to me. I quickly learned that I could not slack or I would quickly fall behind. I had to engage in the classroom more than I usually did. Despite the challenge, I did not give up. I adapted to the intensity of the classes and quickly learned how to keep up with my assignments. Now preparing to take IB exams, the challenge is still occurring. I keep going because I know it will prepare me for the college education that I will receive in the next four years. The college education I knew I would have since being a young child.

Frozen 2 is a cinematic masterpiece. Although I don't know what cinematic really means, I know that it is used to describe really good movies and that applies here. I remember my first time going to see Frozen 2. It was in theaters. My mom and I have planned for a while to see the movie together but we kept running into barriers. She became really busy and then I got the flu. After I recovered from my sickness we finally went to see it. We at in one of the front rows but not too close to where we would have to bend our necks. There were a lot of kids in the theater. Some kids started crying. As I was watching the movie my eyes was glued to the screen. The movie seemed very well animated; the characters seemed realistic. The action was very entertaining. But that wasn't what impacted me the most. Elsa, the ice queen is an extremely inspirational character. Most disney princess movies are centered around a man. For example, in Snow White, her sleep could only be broken by a prince. Same for Sleeping Beauty. Even in Princess in the Frog, which is very monumental to young black girls, is centered around a man.Yes, Frozen has some important male characters in it like Kristoff and even Hans, but the main character, Elsa, has no attachments to a man. The movie is about self control, family, and growing up, centered around a woman. Elsa is seen as a villain in the beginning of Frozen, which most independent women are. However, the movie showcases her true colors. She is only trying to protect her sister and her kingdom. This is similar to a lot of women in real life. They are made out to be villains when they are only trying to protect their family, children, or even themselves. In Frozen 2, her character develops even more. Here, we really get to see her independence and how strong she is. The fact that she has ice powers makes it even better. The way she finds herself and some understanding in who she is through history is inspiring. How she leaves to go to the Enchanted Forest. Her bravery of following the voices she heard. Her protectiveness of her sister. These are all traits that can inspire young girls. The best part about it is that it's not just for young girls. It can inspire teenage girls or even adult women. If not inspiring, women can relate to the strong, brave, independent woman Elsa is.

Ever since I was younger, I have been interested in my mind, how it works, and its function. As I grew older, I noticed the way my mind worked was starting to change and develop more complexly. I started being more aware of myself and my needs and wants. I also noticed that the way I was raised and my surroundings and experiences shaped me into the person I am and how my mind works. This made me interested in other people’s minds, my family, friends, and peers around me. I saw how everyone has different personalities and goes through different things in life. This is how I became interested in Psychology. I began to go down a rabbit hole of trying to study my mind. I would stay up late just staring at the ceiling examining and analyzing my thoughts and the meanings behind them. I started to think there was a meaning behind every thought and feeling I had and I was adamant about finding out what that meaning was. Whenever my mental health would decline I knew there had to be a psychological reason for why. Then the internet became my best friend. When I started to become interested in psychology and started thinking about it more I started seeing things all over the internet about it. My favorite website was Psychology Today. At first, I began with reading articles that could relate to me and my mind but then it escalated to me reading anything on there that interested me. I became aware of how much one's childhood could impact their life in the future. This realization piqued my interest in social work. All of my interests and realizations made me way more observant of the world around me. I started noticing how parents treat their children, and the way they punish their children or deal with the stress of their children. A lot of parents yell at their children and curse at them not knowing later down the line it can impact them. Some children have to deal with parents that are addicts and that can be hard for a child's development. Some children only have one parent in their life and are deprived of love and affection from one of their parents. Some parents don’t even show their child affection. These can all hurt a child and still affect them when they are growing older and start to become more aware of their life and start to remember things differently. I can go on for hours and hours talking about all the things we as people need to do differently to help the upcoming generations be better. I just know if we want the world to be a better place we have to start with our children. As a social worker, I would be able to help children and families function better. I want them to be able to improve their relationships and to be able to recognize healthy and toxic relationships. I want to help them cope with difficult situations in healthy ways. I want to be able to offer support to those families that need it so they can become healthier physically and mentally. It would make me happy to know I am helping make the world a better place.

Ever since I was younger, I have been interested in my mind, how it works, and its function. As I grew older, I noticed the way my mind worked was starting to change and develop more complexly. I started being more aware of myself and my needs and wants. I also noticed that the way I was raised and my surroundings and experiences shaped me into the person I am and how my mind works. This made me interested in other people’s minds, my family, friends, and peers around me. I saw how everyone has different personalities and goes through different things in life. This is how I became interested in Psychology. I began to go down a rabbit hole of trying to study my mind. I would stay up late just staring at the ceiling examining and analyzing my thoughts and the meanings behind them. I started to think there was a meaning behind every thought and feeling I had and I was adamant about finding out what that meaning was. Whenever my mental health would decline I knew there had to be a psychological reason for why. Then the internet became my best friend. When I started to become interested in psychology and started thinking about it more I started seeing things all over the internet about it. My favorite website was Psychology Today. At first, I began with reading articles that could relate to me and my mind but then it escalated to me reading anything on there that interested me. I became aware of how much one's childhood could impact their life in the future. This realization piqued my interest in social work. My interests and realizations made me way more observant of the world around me. I started noticing how parents treat their children, and the way they punish their children or deal with the stress of their children. A lot of parents yell at their children and curse at them not knowing later down the line it can impact them. Some children have to deal with parents that are addicts and that can be hard for a child's development. Some children only have one parent in their life and are deprived of love and affection from one of their parents. Some parents don’t even show their child affection. These can all hurt a child and still affect them when they are growing older and start to become more aware of their life and start to remember things differently. I can go on for hours and hours talking about all the things we as people need to do differently to help the upcoming generations be better. I just know if we want the world to be a better place we have to start with our children. As a social worker, I would be able to help children and families function better. I want them to be able to improve their relationships and to be able to recognize healthy and toxic relationships. I want to help them cope with difficult situations in healthy ways. I want to be able to offer support to those families that need it so they can become healthier physically and mentally.

I have always said and will continue to always say that my mother is my hero. Now I know that is a very predictable statement but I believe that people who say that truly mean it. They mean it in a way that their mother has saved them, given them the life they deserved, and supported them in the life they aspire to have, all while struggling themselves. I relate to this. My mother was a single mother of 4 children. She started having kids at the young age of nineteen and she did not start out as a single mother. However, we are all aware that things happen and the relationship with my sibling's father did not last. To add to the struggle, he chose to be an inactive parent. Then my mom had me with my father and the same thing happened. So she had to raise four kids, alone, while also trying to keep a roof over our heads. I should be careful with my language though because she wasn't completely alone. She had my grandmother by her side willing to help whenever she needed. It also may seem as if I am describing it as it was a horrible burden put on her but that is not what happened. Yes, our fathers chose to be inactive but my mother chose to fight that and be independent. She chose to give herself and her children the lives they deserved. She did have privileges that others don't make it harder for them to do things like this but I admire her for it. College has always been on my radar because I knew that with the career I wanted, I needed college. My mother went to college but she never finished due to having children. She was aware of the challenges that come with applying and enrolling in college. However, over the years things have changed so she had to learn all over again. I am the youngest of four and my other siblings did not attend college, so she never experienced the whole college search process. Together, my mom and I visited five colleges that I was interested in. During that process, she became extremely involved and supportive. After seeing the costs of some of the schools I was interested in she even helped me in applying for scholarships. She never shot down the idea of going to an expensive school because she believed I should go wherever I desired and should take risks for those opportunities. My mom has been extremely supportive in the college search process as well as in finding financial aid. I believe I wouldn't have gotten this far or had the drive that I have without her and the way she raised me.

I aspire to be a licensed social worker. My career interest stemmed from my childhood. As a child, I have always been interested in my mind and how it works. As I grew older, I noticed how my mind worked was starting to change and develop more complexly. I started being more aware of myself, my needs, and my wants. I also noticed that how I was raised and my surroundings and experiences shaped me into the person I am and how my mind works. This made me interested in other people’s minds, my family, friends, and peers around me. I saw how everyone has different personalities and goes through different things in life. This is how I became interested in Psychology. My interest in psychology developed into an interest in Social Work. In my junior year of high school, I engaged in an internship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The internship was focused on community wellness and how the hospital advocated for community wellness. The internship was not focused on any of my career interests but I still was interested in learning more. Toward the end of the internship, I got the opportunity to speak with a psychologist. She broke down the career for me and the different things you can do with it. On that same day, I also got to talk to social workers. They did the same, explaining to me the career and different routes you can go with it. That day opened my eyes. I realized that in social work there is a broader range of things you can do or people you can work with. When the social workers told me about their day-to-day lives, I realized that everything they were saying was everything I want to do. After that day I began to do more research on the career. I began learning what I need to do to become a social worker and how I can obtain the highest level of success as a social worker. I learned that I need to obtain a master’s degree in social work and licensure to broaden my options. I began looking at the best college options for me. While researching I also learned that I do not have to get a bachelor’s degree in social work but that I can get one in psychology or sociology. This excited me more because I would be able to learn more about the things I am interested in and apply them to my career. As a result of my knowing what career field I wanted to go in, I wanted to get more knowledge and experience in that field. I began looking for internships related to social work. During my senior year of high school (which is now) I got an internship with Nationwide Children’s Hospital again but in the Behavioral Health department. I am still engaging in this internship but so far I have learned a lot about the different opportunities in the career field, while also learning new things about it. Despite the cost or potential debt I will obtain, I will go to college and complete all the needed requirements to get to where I want to be. I will put myself first and fight for my educational and career experiences.

The first step is prevention. To avoid student loan debt I want first to prevent obtaining it. I can and am doing this by earning the needed grades in order to receive the highest amount in merit scholarships. I know the better my grades are the more money in scholarships I can receive. I have always been a hardworking student but this makes me more hardworking. Additionally, I can apply for scholarships and grants. At times it can be a rigorous process but I believe it will be worth it in the end. I often lose hope and motivation to apply because I know there are many other people applying for scholarships with limited awards. I know there is a very high chance of not being an award winner. However, when I receive emails or notifications that winners have been picked it pushes me to continue to engage in the process because it is still possible for me to be an award winner. The more scholarships I apply to the higher chance I have of winning one. Preventing student loan debt is a good step but I may still have student loan debt in the future. In order to get rid of the student debt I will need a plan on paying it back. While in college I plan on working. Having a job will assist me in tackling the debt. I can make a plan to pay back a certain amount every month, depending on the amount of debt I have. Even if I am only paying back very small amounts it will still help me in the future. Tackling the debt while still in school will help me in the future because the lower the amount the easier it will be to pay back. Once I finish school and obtain a career, I will add student debt to my budget as a bill. I've learned that having a budget helps tremendously. Adding the student debt will give me the opportunity to pay it back on a regular basis so I can decrease the amount of debt I have. I will be sure not to take out loans for more than the average salary of the career I want so I can be sure I will be able to pay the loans back. I would love to avoid student loans but I am sure I will have to take some out. I believe I have a good plan for tackling future debt.

A single mother of four children raised me. Not only is she a single mother but also African American, giving her less chance to succeed in the world. Every day growing up, I saw my mother work hard to overcome the challenges put upon her by being a Black single mother. Watching her struggle was difficult but what made it more difficult is knowing that it does not have to be that way. I have three siblings who share a father and I am the only child my mother has with my father. Both of our fathers were inactive in our life. They lived in the same city as us but just did not help with raising us. Watching my mother struggle with financial stability while also seeing my father help raise his other children was difficult for me. Throughout my life, I had difficulties with understanding and accepting the fact that I do not have an active father. My mother is indeed married now, but even now I still feel incomplete or confused about my feelings and thoughts regarding my father. The emotions I have experienced because of this and watching my mother struggle are what led me to the career interest of social work. As a social worker, I would be able to help families and children that are growing up or grew up in households like mine. I know the difficulties this could bring and how it can still affect you in the future. I can help prevent families and children from having to experience this. A huge part of the problems in households is because of how the adults were raised. They carry on the generational curses because that was what they were used to. For instance, if someone grew up in an emotionally abusive household they may take those habits and implement them into their parenting. As a social worker, I can assist families in changing parenting habits to help benefit children more. I can also help the children by taking them out of their harmful homes. My education would give me the tools to help me succeed in my career. Majoring in sociology will give me the knowledge of how to interact with and understand people. Pursuing an education in psychology will help me further understand people's behaviors and minds. Both of these are beneficial to a future career in social work. Going to college and engaging in internships and study abroad trips are experiences that will build me into a stronger candidate for social work. I want the knowledge that will make me culturally competent and understanding. I want to be able to communicate effectively with people and help them in a way they will accept. My education would help me make an impact in changing the unhealthy households that lead people in the wrong direction.

My favorite thing about math is the amount of thought that goes into it. When I am doing a math problem I drown out everything that goes on around me and I go into full focus. I enjoy the complexity of it. I enjoy working out the steps and getting to a final answer. Another great thing about math and the process of learning it is the developmental stages. The math we learn as a child is still applied to math in high school and even college. It just gets more complex. Also as you grow older you learn about the different types of maths and have to deal with shapes, graphs, letters, and all the symbols added into the math language. As a senior in high school taking a complex IB math course I do not even know what all the symbols on a calculator mean. This shows me I still have more to learn. Math can be applied to so many things in the real world. It can be applied to careers that do not have a focus on math. We use math to calculate our finances and how to be financially successful. This is something that all people or at least Americans can relate to because we all want to be financially stable. Without math, we would not be able to do that. Without math, the world would not be as successful as it is today.

Ever since I was younger, I have been interested in my mind, how it works, and its function. As I grew older, I noticed how my mind worked was starting to change and develop more complexly. I started being more aware of myself and my needs and wants. I also noticed how the way I was raised and my surroundings and experiences shaped me into the person I am and how my mind works. This made me interested in other people’s minds, my family, friends, and peers around me. I saw how everyone has different personalities and goes through different things in life. This is how I discovered the importance of mental health. I noticed that when others around me weren't in a good headspace or were battling with mental issues it affected their life drastically in a negative manner. It leads them to live an unhappy life. I maintain my mental wellness by protecting myself. I don't allow people to treat me badly because I know it will hurt me. I keep up with myself making sure I know my boundaries and my needs. I make sure I take care of myself and fulfill those needs.

My favorite Disney character is Elsa from Frozen. She is my favorite because her storyline is interesting and inspiring. She struggles throughout her movie painted to be the antagonist but is shown in the end her character development. Instead of icing out her sister, she welcomes her in although there is still a fear of putting her in danger. Elsa was seen as a villain when she in a way destroys Arendale but she is just a person who has trouble with control and wants to protect those around her. In the second movie, Frozen 2, we can see her really take on her protective role. She also has really cool powers. Elsa can inspire children who watch the movie to learn to control their behavior and protect those around them.

In the summer of 2021, I participated in a community project. I am a part of the Upward Bound Math & Science Program and on my first summer of joining we engaged in a community project. A few peers and I, along with the administration, walked down the South Side of Columbus, Ohio, documenting all the resources in our community. We documented the good things and the things that needed work in our community. We took pictures of the unique things in our community and the things we think need work. Whenever we passed a business we would write it down and add important details about it. At the end of the summer, we took all this data and put it into a database online. The administration we were working with created a website that showed all the resources in the community for people to access, such as health care, food, or even places for social gatherings. This was a great opportunity to give back to my community. In the future, I plan to engage in more volunteer experiences to give back to mine and other communities in need. Summer is the best time to do this since I will not be in school and will have more time. I would like to team up with small organizations or businesses that are helping my community.

I am a huge advocate for mental health and well-being. I am also a firm believer that the people you are surrounded by will have a significant impact on your life. It all begins in childhood, how your parents raise you and the type of people they bring around you. This will stay with you forever. As you get older and mature, you will have to start dealing with the complexity of your mind, and part of this is dealing and coping with any past trauma. When it comes to trauma, the people that have it tend to ignore it, and the people that see it tend to deny it. I will not deny or ignore my own or anyone else's trauma. I want to help people grow from their trauma. I also want to help avoid it. Right now in society, I see myself being positive by being a shoulder someone can lean on. I make sure people feel like they are not alone and have someone to talk to and support them. Sometimes that's all a person needs. The people in our society can be so judgemental. I'm sure we've all had our judgemental moments, but this needs to stop being normalized. I have always shut it down when someone around me is being judgemental like we don't all have issues. I want to help people get through their struggles. In the future, I will accomplish this while being a social worker. Helping support and promote equity. In our society, people are so used to ignoring a problem if it doesn't concern them but continue to criticize and judge someone when they have a problem instead of helping and offering support. I want to inform and influence people to want to make a positive difference in someone's life. It can happen by the smallest contribution.

I plan to change someone's life. To do this, I need a college degree. I want to get a master's degree and my licensure in social work. There are many issues in the system, and I want to help make a difference. I have always been an empathetic person concerned with other people's issues. In America, we have a problem ignoring other people's issues because it has nothing to do with us. I want people to feel they matter and are not alone. We need to support each other. People wonder why a person grows up and becomes a certain way that is unacceptable to society. The reason is that they had to grow up in a traumatizing way. Children are suffering in abusive homes that need saving from them. A child's home life and the way they are raised will follow them for their whole lives. If I can prevent a child from suffering or living uncomfortably, I will do that. If I can inform and support a parent that needs help raising a child, I will do that. I need a college degree to learn how to make a difference in the world. I know what I want to do, but I need to learn the correct way how to do it. I will get a psychology degree to learn about how one's mind works and how to connect with a person. Psychology will teach me why someone has the mind or behavior they do. This is important because it can affect how you connect and communicate with a person. You can try to help a person, but it needs to be in a way that they know how to accept it. I can apply these skills to a career in social work. The career involves interacting with people of all kinds, so I need to know how I can connect with them and inspire and influence them. I am interested in changing their lives, but I want to leave an impact so big that they want to change another person's life. After a certain point, I will gain all the knowledge and experience to start my own business. I am not entirely sure what I want my business to be, but I know I want to help people. I am confident that I will develop a passion for a specific global issue in my career. I will develop a business and significantly support the community, whether it involves mental health, support groups, or social services.