user profile avatar

Jesenia Carrasquillo

1x

Finalist

Bio

I am pursuing a career in dental hygiene because I am passionate about helping others improve their health, confidence, and overall well-being. I have always been interested in healthcare, and dental hygiene allows me to combine my compassion for people with my desire to educate patients about the importance of oral health. I believe a healthy smile can positively impact someone’s life, and I want to make a difference by providing quality care and building meaningful connections with patients. My goal is to become a skilled and compassionate dental hygienist who promotes preventative care and helps underserved communities gain access to oral health education. I am a hardworking, dedicated, and motivated student who takes pride in overcoming challenges and staying focused on my education and future career goals. My background and experiences have taught me the importance of empathy, patience, and strong communication, which I believe are essential qualities in healthcare. Outside of academics, I enjoy learning about health and wellness, spending time with family and friends, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally. Receiving this scholarship would help support my educational journey and bring me one step closer to achieving my dream of making a positive impact in the dental field through compassionate care and service.

Education

City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

Associate's degree program
2024 - 2028
  • Majors:
    • Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Associate's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Dentistry
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      • Dentistry
    • Dream career goals:

      My long-term career goal in dental hygiene is to become a skilled and confident hygienist who provides high-quality preventive and periodontal care. I want to continue building my clinical knowledge and hands-on skills so I can help patients improve and maintain their oral health. Over time, I also hope to become very strong in patient education, especially in helping people understand the importance of daily oral hygiene and regular dental visits. As a Hispanic individual, I also feel a strong personal motivation to serve and support diverse communities, especially those who may face barriers to accessing dental care or feel nervous about visiting the dentist. I want to be someone patients can relate to and feel comfortable with, and I hope to help bridge gaps in communication and trust in dental settings. “Long term, I aim to keep growing in the field by staying current with new dental techniques and technology, and possibly taking on more leadership or mentoring roles. Overall, my goal is to make a meaningful impact by improving patient experiences and contributing to better oral health in the communities I serve.

    • Front Desk, Treatment Coordinator, Financial Coordinator, Office Manager

      2016 – Present10 years

    Sports

    Dancing

    Club
    2007 – 20114 years

    Research

    • Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

      Community Health Center — Dental hygiene assistant
      2021 – 2022

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Local Dental Outreach Program — Oral Health Outreach and Education Volunteer
      2023 – 2024

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship