Addiction is often described as a disease, but for me, it has become a part of life. I’ve never struggled with substance use myself, but addiction has left deep imprints on my life through the people I’ve loved and lost. My aunt was a nurse a woman full of energy, kindness, and the kind of strength that made you believe nothing could bring her down. She was also the mother of my cousins, who were like siblings to me. But when addiction took hold of her life, everything changed. She lost her job, her home, and eventually, custody of her children. My cousins were placed into foster care, and I lost contact with them. It was as if a whole branch of my family tree had been ripped away overnight. I couldn’t understand how someone so strong could fall so far, and it left me feeling powerless. Then came the loss that hit even closer to home. My father’s best friend someone who lived with us for two years and had become part of our family died from an overdose. He was a fixture in my life, someone I saw every day, talked to, laughed with. His death was traumatic. My dad had to identify his body, and the weight of that experience hung over our home like a shadow. Watching my father grieve broke something in me. I saw how one person’s addiction could ripple out and affect everyone around them, leaving pain in its wake. These experiences have shaped me in ways I’m still learning to understand. I’ve had to grow up faster, to become more emotionally aware and resilient. They’ve also made me more compassionate. I no longer see addiction as simply a failure or a weakness. I see it as a crisis that demands empathy, education, and support not just for those who are addicted, but for the families who love them. These challenges have shifted my goals and aspirations. I want to pursue a career in social work or mental health counseling, where I can help families like mine navigate the fallout of addiction. I want to be someone who offers hope, healing, and resources when it feels like everything is falling apart. My values resilience, empathy, and community were forged of these experiences. Addiction has taken people I loved and fractured parts of my family, but it has also given me a purpose. I want to be part of the solution, part of the reason someone doesn’t feel alone in their darkest moment.

I’ve decided to pursue a career in the trades because I want to do meaningful, hands-on work that people rely on every day. I’m attending Southern Maine Community College to study Electrical Technology, and my goal is to become a licensed electrician and eventually start my own electrical business. I chose this path because I enjoy solving problems, working with my hands, and being part of something that keeps homes, schools, and communities running. What really inspired me to take this path was my dad. He’s been in the trades his whole life starting out shoveling snow as a kid, moving into construction and irrigation, and now working as the water supervisor for a town. His dedication and work ethic made a lasting impression on me. He showed me that trades aren’t just about physical work they’re about pride, reliability, and service to the community. Watching him grow in his career gave me the confidence to follow a similar path and make something of my own. I plan to use my skills not just to earn a living, but to make a difference. One of my long-term goals is to open my own electrical business. I want to provide reliable, honest service to my community and create opportunities for others especially young people who may not realize how rewarding a trade career can be. I believe trades are too often overlooked, and I want to help change that by leading with integrity, mentoring others, and giving back when I can, especially to families or individuals in need. Like any worthwhile goal, I know this journey won’t be easy. I expect to face challenges, especially as I work through the licensing process, manage the financial demands of education, and eventually try to build a business from the ground up. As someone with a speech impediment, I’ve also had to work harder to be heard and understood. That hasn’t always been easy, but it’s made me more determined. I’ve learned how to push through discomfort, ask for help when needed, and focus on what I can control my work ethic, my attitude, and my goals. Going into the trades gives me a clear sense of purpose. It’s a career path where I can see the impact of my work every day, and where there’s always room to grow. With the foundation I’ll gain at Southern Maine Community College, and the example my dad set for me, I know I have what it takes to succeed and to help others succeed, too.

From a young age, I’ve always admired people who work with their hands those who build, fix, and power the world around us. That admiration grew into a passion when I got my first taste of electrical work, thanks to a family friend who’s an electrician. Now, as I prepare to attend Southern Maine Community College for the Electrician Technology program, I’m excited to take the next step toward becoming a licensed electrician and eventually starting my own business. What drives me most is knowing that tradespeople have a direct impact on the world every day. Electricity powers our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. Without it, nothing functions. I want to be part of that essential work someone people can rely on when the lights go out or when a new building is going up. Working in the electrical field means solving real problems and being hands-on, which is exactly where I thrive. The biggest influence on my decision to pursue a career in the skilled trades has been my dad. He’s spent his entire life working hard in various trades from shoveling snow as a teenager, to doing construction and irrigation work, to now serving as the water supervisor for a town. Watching his work ethic, his pride in what he does, and his steady growth in his career has shown me what’s possible with dedication and determination. My dad taught me that no job is beneath you, and that if you’re willing to work hard and learn, there’s always a path forward. My goal isn’t just to become an electrician I want to start my own electrical business one day. I want to create a company that values quality work, fair pricing, and strong mentorship. I’ve seen how trades can change lives, and I want to give others the same opportunity by training and employing people who are ready to work and learn. I also hope to give back to my community by offering services to those in need and helping young people explore the trades as a real career path. To me, the skilled trades aren’t just a job they’re a way to build a meaningful life. I’m passionate about this field because it combines hard work, technical knowledge, and the ability to make a real difference in people’s everyday lives. Attending Southern Maine Community College is just the beginning of my journey, but I’m ready to work, learn, and lead just like my dad taught me.

Growing up, I always thought school was just something everyone did it was a routine. But over the years, school has become more than that for me. It’s been a place of challenge, growth, and self-discovery. One of the biggest turning points in my life came when I moved to a new state and a new school in the fourth grade. At an age when most kids are settled in with friends they’ve known since kindergarten, I had to start all over again. I was the new kid, with no familiar faces around, trying to fit in. Moving to a new state and starting over at a new school in the fourth grade was one of the biggest challenges of my early life. It was hard to make friends, especially because I have a speech impediment that made it difficult for me to communicate confidently. I was often teased or misunderstood, and for a while, I felt like I didn’t quite fit in. But instead of letting that discourage me, I pushed through it and found ways to grow stronger. One of the things that helped me build confidence was sports. I started playing lacrosse and football in elementary school, and those teams gave me a sense of belonging. I learned how to work with others, push myself physically and mentally, and stay focused on goals on and off the field. In high school, I added wrestling to the mix. That sport taught me discipline on a whole new level. Wrestling is about more than just strength; it’s about strategy, endurance, and mental toughness. Competing in multiple sports helped shape my character and taught me how to handle both wins and losses with humility and drive. While sports helped me grow socially and emotionally, it was a completely different experience that lit a fire in me for my future career. A close friend’s dad is an electrician, and one day he let me help him with a few small projects. I was instantly drawn in. I loved working with my hands, solving problems, and seeing the results of our work come to life literally, when the power came on. That moment showed me that electrical work was more than just a job, it was something I could be passionate about. Now, I’m pursuing that passion by enrolling in the Electrician Technology Certificate program at Southern Maine Community College. SMCC offers exactly what I’m looking for: a hands-on education that prepares students for real-world electrical careers. I’m excited to learn everything from basic circuits to the National Electrical Code, and eventually use those skills to open my own business. Being the first person in my family to attend college is something I’m incredibly proud of. I see it as a chance to break new ground not just for myself, but for my younger siblings and cousins who will see that higher education is possible. I want them to know that your circumstances don’t define you; your choices and determination do. I’m looking forward to meeting new people at SMCC, learning from skilled instructors, and getting as much hands-on experience as possible. I also hope to continue building leadership skills and maybe even join some campus activities or intramural sports to stay active and involved. My journey hasn’t been easy. Moving, struggling with a speech impediment, and finding my place socially all came with challenges. But those obstacles helped shape who I am today: someone who doesn’t give up, someone who works hard, and someone who is ready to take the next step. College is more than a goal, it’s the start of a future I’m building with intention and passion. I’m excited to begin this chapter at Southern Maine Community College and take one step closer to lighting up my future both literally and figuratively.