In many ways, my love of reading has been a quiet but constant force in shaping who I am. It has supported my personal growth by helping me manage anxiety, cope with difficult life changes, and most importantly, discover and express my own voice. During times when everything around me felt chaotic or uncertain, books provided a sense of control and stability. I could choose what to read, when to read it, and which characters to identify with. That freedom gave me something steady to hold onto when the demands of real life felt overwhelming. It was in the pages of those stories that I found characters who felt the way I did: confused, scared, and hopeful. I started to believe that if they could overcome their struggles, maybe I could too. That belief gave me strength. Books made me feel less isolated, and the connection I felt to the stories and their characters had a profound and lasting impact on my mental health. More than just comfort, reading sparked something deeper in me. It ignited my curiosity about people and the world around me. As I grew older, I gravitated toward books about psychology, leadership, and social justice. These were not just academic interests; they were deeply personal. I wanted to understand why people behave the way they do, how emotions influence our decisions, and what it means to lead with integrity. The more I read, the more I realized how much I cared about the well-being of others. Books taught me that context matters, that where a person comes from and what they have experienced can shape how they see the world. That understanding helped me become a more thoughtful communicator, a more compassionate friend, and a more engaged student. I stopped seeing learning as just a school requirement and started seeing it as a way to connect more meaningfully with others. That passion continues to guide me today. I am currently pursuing a degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational psychology, and the concepts I study feel like a continuation of the lessons I first encountered in books. I want to take what I have learned about people, about leadership, about empathy, and use it to create positive change in the workplace. I believe that every individual deserves to feel respected, understood, and supported in their environment. My goal is to help build workplace cultures where people do not just show up to earn a paycheck but where they feel empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive. The seed for that vision was planted long ago when I first began to understand the power of stories. Looking toward the future, I see my love of reading and learning as more than a hobby. It is a way of life and a personal mission. I want to continue asking important questions, challenging my assumptions, and seeking new perspectives. I want to use my education and experiences to make others feel seen and heard in the same way books once made me feel. If I can help even one person feel less alone, more valued, or more hopeful, then I know I am living out the lessons I learned from the stories that shaped me.

My name is Jenna, and I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational psychology. Over the past several years, I’ve worked in the retail industry and grown into a leadership role, where I’ve learned how to motivate others, resolve challenges, and lead with empathy and accountability. These real-world experiences have helped shape my long-term career goal: to make a lasting, positive impact on workplace culture by becoming a strong, values-driven leader—and to open doors for other women to do the same. One of the things I’ve noticed, especially working in management, is that female leadership is still underrepresented in many industries. I often find myself being the only woman—or one of very few—leading a team or speaking up in meetings. While I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, I know it didn’t come easily. There were moments of self-doubt, pressure to prove myself, and times when I felt overlooked simply because I didn’t fit the traditional image of a leader. These experiences have made me even more determined to succeed—not just for myself, but for all the women who deserve to be seen, heard, and respected in leadership positions. I believe that representation matters. When women are given the opportunity to lead, they bring fresh perspectives, emotional intelligence, and collaborative approaches that can transform workplaces for the better. My mission is to challenge outdated norms and help build spaces where women don’t just participate—they thrive. I want to use my education and experience to advocate for inclusive hiring practices, professional development for women, and mental health support in the workplace. Through a career in human resources or organizational development, I plan to make a difference by shaping policies that promote equity, respect, and growth. I want to mentor younger women entering the workforce, speak up for those who aren’t always given a voice, and help organizations see the incredible value of diverse leadership. I envision a future where women from all backgrounds feel confident stepping into leadership roles—and know they’ll be supported when they do. Outside of my academic and professional journey, I’m a lifelong learner. I love reading about leadership, psychology, and ethics, and I constantly seek out opportunities to grow. I believe that great leaders never stop learning—and that learning is one of the most powerful tools we have to create change. Ultimately, I want my career to be about more than just business. I want it to be about people—about making the workplace, and the world, a little more fair, compassionate, and empowering. By leading with heart and standing up for others, especially women, I hope to leave behind a legacy of progress and possibility.

My name is Jenna, and I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational psychology. I have always been fascinated by the connection between people and the systems they work within. Understanding how workplace culture, leadership, and emotional intelligence influence employee well-being and performance is something I’m deeply passionate about. This has led me to focus on creating environments where people feel supported, respected, and motivated. Over the last several years, I’ve worked in various roles within the retail industry, starting out as a team member and eventually earning a leadership position. As a team lead, I’ve been responsible for supervising up to 30 employees at a time, managing operations, tracking sales metrics, and helping drive results through clear communication and teamwork. This role taught me not only how to lead but also how to listen—truly listen—to my team’s needs, challenges, and ideas. I believe leadership isn’t about giving orders, but about creating a space where people feel empowered to succeed. One of my greatest strengths is my desire to keep learning. I love reading, especially nonfiction related to psychology, leadership, ethics, and mental health. Books help me better understand people, myself, and the world around me. Learning is a lifelong pursuit for me, whether that’s through formal education, reading on my own time, or learning from others’ experiences. I’m constantly looking for ways to grow, improve, and develop skills that will help me serve others better. My career goal is to work in human resources or organizational development, where I can help build healthy, inclusive, and ethical workplaces. I want to advocate for fair treatment, support mental health initiatives, and implement systems that make people feel valued. I firmly believe that when companies invest in their people, the entire organization and surrounding community benefit. Too many workplaces overlook the importance of employee well-being, and I hope to be part of the change that challenges that norm. Making a positive impact on my community means using my knowledge and leadership skills to uplift others. Whether I’m mentoring a coworker, helping to resolve a workplace conflict, or advocating for mental health resources, I want to be someone who contributes to a culture of compassion and accountability. In the future, I hope to lead or be involved in programs that offer professional development and emotional support for employees, especially those in underrepresented or high-stress fields. Education is giving me the tools to turn my passions into action. By combining my academic background with real-world experience, I’m preparing myself to be a leader who doesn’t just manage people but genuinely supports them. My journey is still unfolding, but I know I want to use my voice, my work ethic, and my heart to help create a better future—for my workplace, my community, and the people around me.