LoginJoin Bold.org
user profile avatar

John Zargar

5x

Finalist

2x

Winner

General information

Location
Bowie, MD
Age
25
Gender
Male
US Citizenship
US Citizen
Ethnicity
Middle Eastern, Caucasian
Religion
Christian
Church
Nondenominational

Hobbies & Interests

  • Accounting
  • Anime
  • Beach
  • YouTube
  • Writing
  • Weightlifting
  • Volunteering
  • Public Relations
  • Public Health
  • Public Speaking
  • Advertising
  • Marketing
  • Theology and Religious Studies
  • Walking
  • Television
  • Upcycling and Recycling
  • Witchcraft
  • Spirituality

Reading

  • Academic
  • Action
  • Adult Fiction
  • Adventure
  • Art
  • Biography
  • Book Club
  • Business
  • Classics
  • Contemporary
  • Cookbooks
  • Crafts
  • Criticism
  • Cultural
  • Young Adult
  • True Story
  • Tragedy
  • Thriller
  • Suspense
  • Sports and Games
  • Spirituality
  • Speculative Fiction
  • Sociology
  • Social Science
  • Social Issues
  • Short Stories
  • Self-Help
  • Science Fiction
  • Education

I read books daily.

Bio

I am passionate about understanding how people cope with fear, loss, and uncertainty, especially when life feels overwhelming or out of control. My goal is to become a clinical psychologist who works with individuals and communities impacted by trauma, grief, and chronic stress. This passion grew out of my experiences in the U.S. Air Force, where I supported people during crises, responded to emotionally intense situations, and learned how powerful steady presence and empathy can be when someone is struggling. I am currently a psychology major with a 4.0 GPA and have hands-on experience in hospice care, child trauma monitoring, crisis intervention, and behavioral health data analysis. I have worked with veterans, grieving families, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and I am especially interested in trauma-informed and culturally responsive care. As an Iranian American and a Farsi speaker, I care deeply about reducing stigma around mental health and making care more accessible to diverse populations. I bring discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility to everything I do. I am motivated by service, committed to growth, and driven by the belief that people heal best when they feel understood, respected, and supported.

Education

University of Maryland Global Campus

Bachelor's degree program

2024 – 2026

Majors:
  • Psychology, General
Minors:
  • Sociology
GPA4.0 GPA

Park University

Associate's degree program

2023 – 2023

Majors:
  • Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
GPA3.9 GPA

Community College of the Air Force

Associate's degree program

2020 – 2024

Majors:
  • Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
GPA4.0 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Johns Hopkins University
Majors of interest:
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Lead end-to-end human resources operations for a multi-site security organization supporting over 100 employees, ensuring workforce readiness, regulatory compliance, and operational accountability.

    Human Resources · General Protective Services Enterprise

    Jan 2025 – Present

  • Responsibilities include assisting in the coordination of administrative processes such as tracking assignments, promotions, and evaluations for service members.

    Human Resources · United States Air Force Reserve – Joint Base Andrews

    Jan 2024 – Present

  • The U.S. Air Force Security Forces are responsible for maintaining the safety and security of Air Force personnel and installations through base security, law enforcement, and access control.

    Security and Investigations · United States Air Force

    Jan 2019 – Jan 2024

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Business Supplies and Equipment
Dream career goals:
Organizational Psychologist
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
International Scholarship for Medical and Dental Mission Work
I remember the moment a patient grabbed my hand and would not let go. There were no shared words between us, only a quiet understanding. Pain had brought them there, but it was trust that kept them sitting in that chair, looking at me as if I could somehow help carry what they had been enduring for far too long. My experience in Christian medical mission work has never been just about treatment. It has been about presence. It has been about stepping into communities where access to care is not guaranteed and witnessing what happens when something as basic as healthcare becomes a luxury. I have seen people wait years for care that should have been available in days. I have seen infections left untreated, pain endured in silence, and families forced to choose between survival and healing. In those moments, medicine becomes more than a profession. It becomes a calling. Serving in these missions strengthened my faith in ways I did not expect. It taught me that healing is not always immediate, and it is not always physical. Sometimes it is found in listening, in offering reassurance, and in showing compassion to someone who feels forgotten. I learned that faith is not just something we speak about, but something we live out through service, humility, and sacrifice. Every patient interaction became a reminder of why I chose this path, and why I must continue it. At times, the work felt overwhelming. There were more patients than we could reach, more needs than we could meet, and more stories than I could carry without feeling the weight of them long after the day ended. I questioned whether what we were doing was enough. But then I would see a smile after relief from pain, or a quiet expression of gratitude, and I realized that even small moments of care can restore dignity and hope. That realization has stayed with me. As I pursue my education in healthcare, I do so with a clear purpose. I am not simply working toward a degree. I am preparing myself to return to the very places that shaped my understanding of service. I want to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide not only temporary relief, but lasting impact. I want to contribute to sustainable solutions that empower communities to access care beyond short-term missions. My goal is to combine medical expertise with faith-driven service, ensuring that the care I provide reflects both competence and compassion. I also hope to mentor and inspire others to join this work. Missions are not built on individuals, but on communities of people willing to serve. By sharing my experiences and continuing to engage in mission work, I want to help create a cycle of service that extends far beyond my own efforts. The hand that once held mine reminded me that healthcare is deeply human. It is not just about procedures or diagnoses. It is about connection, trust, and the willingness to stand beside someone in their most vulnerable moment. Through my education and my faith, I will continue to answer that call. Not because it is easy, but because it is necessary. And because every person, no matter where they are in the world, deserves to be seen, cared for, and given the chance to heal.
Therapist Impact Fund: NextGen Scholarship
Winner
My decision to pursue a career in mental health is deeply connected to my lived experiences in the military and in my work supporting individuals in crisis. During my time in the Air Force, I was frequently placed in situations where immediate intervention was required, whether it was responding to suicidality, de-escalating domestic disturbances, or supporting those experiencing acute trauma. The most defining role was my service as a child abuse monitor, where I worked directly with investigators on sensitive cases involving children and families. In these moments, I witnessed the power of trauma-informed care and the importance of meeting people with compassion and stability during their most vulnerable times. These experiences were not just professional duties; they were transformative moments that shaped my identity and direction. They inspired me to move beyond providing temporary crisis stabilization and toward becoming a clinician who helps people develop resilience, heal over time, and reclaim their sense of self. This foundation has guided the kind of provider I hope to become: one grounded in empathy, cultural awareness, and a commitment to serving populations who are too often overlooked, including veterans, children, and immigrant families. As I reflect on my career goals, I also think about the challenges within the current mental healthcare system. If I could make one significant change to create greater access, equity, and inclusion, I would focus on expanding affordable, community-based mental health services. Too many individuals face barriers to care because of cost, insurance requirements, or long waitlists, which can worsen conditions that might otherwise be managed effectively with earlier support. Veterans, immigrants, and working-class families are particularly affected, as many are either underinsured or mistrustful of institutions that feel out of reach. By treating mental health care like primary care and ensuring that it is available at little or no cost, we would not only promote equity but also shift the system toward prevention instead of crisis management. This change would create a stronger, more inclusive healthcare environment that prioritizes accessibility and acknowledges that mental health is essential to overall well-being. At the same time, I see promise in the innovations already shaping the field, especially teletherapy. Teletherapy has expanded access by breaking down barriers of geography and stigma, making it possible for individuals in rural communities, those with mobility challenges, or veterans hesitant to visit a clinic to connect with a provider from their own home. It has made mental health care more convenient and, in many cases, less intimidating. However, it also presents unique challenges. Privacy concerns, unequal access to reliable technology, and the difficulty some people face when trying to build trust through a screen are real issues that can limit its effectiveness. To continue moving forward, we need to invest in platforms that are secure yet easy to use, expand multilingual services to reach diverse populations, and provide therapists with training in building digital rapport so that sessions feel personal and effective. By approaching teletherapy with innovation and inclusivity in mind, we can ensure it becomes a tool that truly supports diverse communities rather than one that leaves certain groups behind. Ultimately, my experiences have shaped not only my decision to pursue psychology but also the perspective I bring to the field. I understand the urgency of immediate intervention, the long-term impact of compassionate care, and the necessity of systemic change to make services more equitable. I hope to contribute to a mental healthcare system that is both innovative and accessible, one that prioritizes prevention, embraces diversity, and recognizes the humanity of every individual seeking help.
John Zargar Student Profile | Bold.org