For many years, I had only pictured my life going down the path of a medical career. Being raised in a single-parent household that continually faces the reality of financial struggle, there has always been a looming pressure to choose a career that was highly respected, and most crucially, highly compensated. Truly, I internally placed this pressure onto myself, out of a crippling fear that failure was just waiting around the corner, and that I would forever be trapped in a cycle of need. Come senior year, the time to finally put myself first arose when I began applying to universities and scholarships. Questioning myself, I began to ask, “Am I following my dreams, or am I following the money?” In the months after applying for colleges, my skill development has been able to advance exponentially, and the anxieties that once plagued my daily life are almost nonexistent. It is clear now that after letting go of the fear of not “making it out” of a poor family, there is room to prioritize passions and enjoying the happiness that had been suppressed by years of pent-up pressure. Today, I am able to recognize the complete control that fear held over my life, and that ridding myself of the constant fear was the only way to live life the way I dreamed of living. Being able to free myself of fear can be credited to the man that has truly influenced my life, my high school computer science teacher, Mr. Fenoglio. Within a month, the impact that Mr. Fenoglio had on my life was so profound that I completely changed career paths, and abandoned the plan that I expected to be my future. Entering my senior year of high school, I was placed into an entry level computer science class taught by Mr. Fenoglio. In the beginning of the semester, I had very little experience with programming, but the opportunity to develop my skills piqued my interest. Immediately, Mr. Fenoglio became an incredibly crucial factor in my decision to pursue computer science as a career, something I never envisioned myself doing. The teaching style that he effortlessly demonstrated - kind, patient, and understanding- provided me with the sense that no matter what challenge I encountered within my studies, I would always have someone that I can turn to. On top of unwavering support, Mr. Fenoglio has given insight into the underrepresentation of women in the technology industry, and instilled within my mind that I am someone who can make a difference for others. From my relationship with Mr. Fenoglio, a whole new world of possibilities has been unlocked, and the path that I believed I was destined to follow has shifted into a passion that was only discovered a few short months ago. This relationship has additionally cemented that there are teachers that truly change the lives of their students, even in ways they may never realize. Experiencing the guidance of Mr. Fenoglio has shown me that I am not defined by any label that may be placed upon me, and that anything can be achieved when a passion is alive and thriving. Even after leaving high school, I will never forget the lessons that he instilled in me, and I will forever be grateful that he completely changed my life.

Looking into the future, I see myself with a successful programming career that provides stability and financial support. Alongside my career, I envision being integrated in a community of fellow women who made the decision to go into STEM fields, and trying to provide opportunities for other young girls with backgrounds that may not provide a foundation to confidently pursue their passions. To do this, I will aim to establish training or hold sessions of programming lessons to girls who demonstrate an interest, and may not otherwise have the means or access to computers or internet connections. Over the course of the next five years, I will diligently work to immerse myself in my studies, performing at the level of strict dedication that has enabled me to hold academic excellence at the top of my high school class. Holding distinguished academic grades will increase the likelihood of entering a programming career in a favorable position for growth. Developing my skills further, I will expand my knowledge through hands-on application, acquired through internships and seeking out a flourishing community that aims to help underprivileged programmers. Ultimately, pursuing an education in computer science will heighten the knowledge and skills that I possess, allowing me to have every tool that I will need upon entering the workforce. While pursuing my degree, I hope to find a female mentor that can prepare me for the future, through sharing life experiences and providing advice on how to navigate a field that is highly male dominated. In addition to using a mentor for personal assistance, I will be able to grow and learn about what it means to be a good mentor, so that I may in the future be someone that is needed by other girls seeking to pursue computer programming.

When talking about passions in my life, computer programming comes to mind right away. Programming has been a special interest of mine, with each project being a little puzzle that I have to piece together. I am developing my programming through guided learning every day in my high school classes. Without the encouragement from my computer science teacher, I may have let my passion slip away out of fear of failure. With this passion, I can follow my dreams of going into a technology field. Whether it is addressed or not, technology fields are places that many women feel they do not belong. This can mainly be attributed to stereotypes regarding the skill of women, and the misogyny that makes them looked down upon. With my education, I plan to pursue a degree in computer science.After college, I plan to find a career in which I can showcase my talents and passion for programming. Even though I am one person, that can be all it takes to show others that they can do great things.

I define an ally as an advocate working towards the equality of marginalized groups, one who works toward inclusion through an open and understanding mind, and a friend who provides unrelenting support in addressing the struggles of the oppressed. True allyship is not a trophy to be won, or a medal to be pinned to someone’s chest, but rather an expected practice. I am an ally for women. I am an ally for myself. You may be thinking, “Allyship does not count if you are a part of the oppressed group!”, but I believe that to be false. After reading “Tell Him” by Jameela Jamil, my eyes were opened to the fact that men are often indoctrinated into misogyny, setting them up on a lifelong path to continue the cycle of discrimination that women face every day. There are millions of women around the world who are content with living under the patriarchy and being seen as less than a man. I am an ally for these women. From an early age, I have always desired to enter a career field that is dominated by men. Whether it was subconsciously or not, I wanted to break down the stereotypes and misconceptions that men are better suited for the “challenging” careers. Starting from middle school, my desire to succeed was poured into my coursework, consistently striving for perfection. Entering high school, this dedication has never faltered, leading to my grades placing me at the very top of my class. I am my own ally. Allyship extends into my plans for the future, pursuing a computer science degree, and eventually entering a programming career, a field that is notoriously dominated by men. Alongside my career, I envision being integrated in a community of fellow women who made the decision to go into STEM fields, and trying to provide opportunities for other young girls with backgrounds that may not provide a foundation to confidently pursue their passions. To do this, I will aim to establish training or hold sessions of programming lessons to girls who demonstrate an interest, and may not otherwise have the means or access to computers or internet connections. As stated by Alicia Del Prado, Ph.D, a psychology professor at the Wright Institute, “While words are an important part of allyship, action needs to accompany it.” I am an ally for the future of women. Being an ally for myself and the women in my community has grown my character in ways that I had not anticipated. Looking up to strong women in the media, those who are outspoken and make themselves heard, is crucial to young girls in order for them to see that they can make something of themselves. Without a role model such as Jameela Jamil, I would not have the motivation and understanding to face misogyny head on and to try and dismantle the system of oppression that women face every day. Motivation has shifted into emotional maturity and passion, reminding me that I will not be held back from my potential, and from showing other young women that they are worthy. I am an ally for women. I am an ally for myself.