The reason why I chose a career in the trades is because I knew I could accomplish a lot and there will always be a place in need that I could help. I always wanted to become a Registered Nurse but I felt like going to school for 4+ years without gaining any experience wasn't the way for me. I was able to go to UEI and pursue Medical Assisting and I am currently completing my externship right now. It's been tough because I wasn't in a great place financially or mentally when I first started the program in July 2022. I just had my third child, my family home burnt down, my grandfather passed away and I couldn't work and attend school at the time to financially support myself and my three children. I ended up taking a job offer when I was supposed to start my externship in April 2022 and gave up on my education instead. The school constantly kept contacting me and was trying to motivate me to come back but I felt like it wasn't in the cards for me since externships weren't paying my school loans or bills. Then one day I woke up and told myself that I shouldn't give up and that I would find a way. By working with UEI and my job, I was able to find a weekend externship site and can work 4 days a week. It is tough and I will be working 7 days a week but with the help of this scholarship, I will be able to cut down on working and focus on my studies. The social cause that I care about is health care for low-income families/poverty. I come from a low-income family and have one myself and I've realized that it's so difficult to get help and care. My parents came from Cambodian and weren't aware of how tough it was to care for us medically so I didn't receive the best care when I was younger. I want to advocate for single moms and immigrants because all they want is better lives and to be the best they can be for their families. Another social cause that I am extremely passionate about is mental health care. I feel that people don't understand the help that people need for mental health. People just push aside their feelings and don't want to explore why they are acting or feeling a certain type of way in fear of judgment. I've always struggled with myself and I never sought help because I felt that it would make me look weak or pathetic. I don't ever want others to feel that way and I want to advocate for them and that is why I am working at a behavioral health clinic on JBLM. In the end, I'm hoping that pursuing my career as a Medical Assistant at a trade school will take me far. I want to be able to gain experience in multiple clinics and eventually continue my education when I find exactly what I want to pursue.