When I was in high school, my guidance counsellors encouraged me to become involved in my community and give back. From my experiences, I have volunteered in my church, at a gardening centre, and at various events for children such as elementary schools. I specifically enjoyed volunteering in my church because it allowed me to work with younger folks and enabled me to be someone they look up to. Volunteering at the gardening centre allowed me to work with my hands and plant various vegetables, which provides a food source for the local community through the farmer's market. When I volunteered at the elementary school, I worked at a booth, which enabled me to provide a source of entertainment for the children. These experiences allowed me to see how much I would love to give back to the world and possibly in different ways once I obtain my degree. Currently, I am finishing my first year at Florida Atlantic University and I am majoring in Management Information Systems. Although my degree relates to Information Technology, I am also interested in becoming a doctor. I hope to use my skills in the field of Information technology and healthcare as a physician or another type of healthcare professional to help better my community. These two platforms provide me with the skills to give back to my community. Local clinics offer access to healthcare needs. As a healthcare professional, volunteering in a free clinic, I could help people with a low income who may not have access to healthcare. The world is rapidly moving away from paper and onto computers. With this in mind, I plan to volunteer at a free tutoring centre to help others learn more about using technology to complete assignments or learn to use computers. I have been granted the opportunity to attend college and would love to use my platform to help other people access the same opportunities I had so they can also succeed.

During my final year of preparatory school, I was determined to take home the national table tennis championship for our school. Our table tennis team was doing exceedingly well in the competition, even though we had a broken board at school and had to train extra hours at our teammate’s home. We had worked our way to the finals and were driven to become the champions. The day of the championship finally arrived–it was time to prove we worthy of the first-place trophy, but my body had other plans for me. It was as sudden as it was intense: The pain, nausea, and fear sent panic throughout every fibre of my being. As I reached the restroom, I reeled and buckled and found comfort against the wide cool surface of the rim on the porcelain bowl. I gazed into the calm water below, begging somehow that the calmness of the water beneath my blank stare would eliminate the turmoil raging within me. All attempts at home remedies failed, and the emergency room was the next stop. The invasion of the intravenous therapy-induced that followed paled in comparison to the trauma raging within me. The sharp edge of pain ebbed away as the medicine took effect. This new chapter was called menarche and I was “fortunate” enough to have chronic dysmenorrhea. Was this the “new life” that I was unwittingly co-opted into? Surely there had to be a better way. The rapid action of the medical team had me off to the finals in no time. We placed second and becoming a doctor was now first on my career list. I wanted to become a hero just like those who helped me recover. In Jamaica, where I am from, career day was a school highlight. Being a doctor was always my first choice. Reflectively, my life’s vision and ambition saw the hanging shingle which read JESSICA MULLINGS M.D plus sixteen other letters and designations behind my name. Although I was quite excited about the medical profession, I was still ambivalent, until puberty hit my young carefree spirit. In tenth grade, I took the introduction to AP Computer Science. I had a great interest in the class which cascaded a whole new plethora of opportunities and a possible new career path. I went back and forth deciding what the best option was for my life. The dilemma of dual passions propelled me to research and delve into the possibilities of a merger. Curved towards this new path, I have found an excellent bargain: Health Informatics. Although a new skill, I decided this is the right major and career path for me. Health informatics is the focal point providing vital information to health professionals to perform to the highest standards. The revelation that I could have the best of both worlds was euphoric! I have created a virtual and mental picture of how to seamlessly synergize information technology skills with my desire to benefit the health profession. This is where the next chapter begins, and where my heart’s passion and vision are sealed. This career requires a meticulous and focused individual willing to improve the health care systems. Given my strengths in these aspects, I have decided to pursue a health informatics major at Nova Southeastern University. This prestigious university is one of few schools in Florida that offers Health Informatics as a major at the undergraduate level. In preparation for this new journey, I have worked diligently in high school and have successfully gained acceptance to Nova Southeastern University. Attending this school allows me to jumpstart my career and progress to bigger and better things in the future.

During my final year of preparatory school, I was determined to take home the national table tennis championship for our school. Our table tennis team was doing exceedingly well in the competition, even though we had a broken board at school and had to train extra hours at our teammate’s home. We had worked our way to the finals and were driven to become the champions. The day of the championship finally arrived–it was time to prove we worthy of the first-place trophy, but my body had other plans for me. It was as sudden as it was intense: The pain, nausea and fear sent panic throughout every fibre of my being. As I reached the restroom, I reeled and buckled and found comfort against the wide cool surface of the rim on the porcelain bowl. I gazed into the calm water below, begging somehow that the calmness of the water beneath my blank stare would eliminate the turmoil raging within me. All attempts at home remedies failed, and the emergency room was the next stop. The invasion of the intravenous therapy-induced that followed paled in comparison to the trauma raging within me. The sharp edge of pain ebbed away as the medicine took effect. This new chapter was called menarche and I was “fortunate” enough to have chronic dysmenorrhea. Was this the “new life” that I was unwittingly co-opted into? Surely there had to be a better way. The rapid action of the medical team had me off to the finals in no time. We placed second and becoming a doctor was now first on my career list. I wanted to become a hero just like those who helped me recover. In Jamaica, where I am from, career day was a school highlight. Being a doctor was always my first choice. Reflectively, my life’s vision and ambition saw the hanging shingle which read JESSICA MULLINGS M.D plus sixteen other letters and designations behind my name. Although I was quite excited about the medical profession, I was still ambivalent, until puberty hit my young carefree spirit. In tenth grade, I took the introduction to AP Computer Science. I had a great interest in the class which cascaded a whole new plethora of opportunities and a possible new career path. I went back and forth deciding what the best option was for my life. The dilemma of dual passions propelled me to research and delve into the possibilities of a merger. Curved towards this new path, I have found an excellent bargain: Health Information Technology. Although a new skill, I decided this is the right major and career path for me. Health information technology is the focal point providing vital information to health professionals to perform to the highest standards. The revelation that I could have the best of both worlds was euphoric! I have created a virtual and mental picture of how to seamlessly synergize information technology skills with my desire to benefit the health profession. This is where the next chapter begins, and where my heart’s passion and vision are sealed.