Growing up, college wasn't something my family could teach me how to navigate because no one before me had done it. Being a first-generation college student means figuring things out on my own and learning how to apply for school, register for classes, understand financial aid, and balance responsibilities without having someone who has already been through the process. It has been challenging, but it has also made me more independent and determined to succeed. Everyone has a sad story, but it’s about how I used it to navigate and apply it to succeeding. After being out of school for three years, I made the decision to return and continue pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. Going back wasn't easy at all. I knew I would have to balance a full-time job at a refinery plant with a full-time college schedule. There are many days when I leave work tired and still have assignments to complete or exams to study for. It can be overwhelming, but every semester reminds me why I came back. One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is earning a place on the Dean's List while working and attending school full-time. To some people, it may just be a recognition, but to me it represents discipline, sacrifice, and the belief that I am capable of more than I once thought. Even then, I tend to be hard on myself. When I achieve something, I often tell myself I could have done better instead of taking time to appreciate how far I've come. I'm learning that success isn't just about reaching the next goal, but it's also about recognizing the progress I've made. My dream is to become a mechanical engineer and own my own company. I want to help improve equipment, solve problems, and contribute to safer and more efficient operations. I also want to build my own engine. Receiving this scholarship would ease some of the financial burden of pursuing my degree while working full-time. It would allow me to focus more of my time and energy on my education and continue moving toward my goal of becoming an engineer Being a first-generation student has taught me resilience, perseverance, and self-reliance. Although the path has not been easy, every challenge I overcome reminds me why I started. I hope my journey encourages others in my family to believe they can pursue higher education too, because someone has to be the first.

I decided to return to school after being away for three years, I knew it would be one of the biggest challenges I had ever taken on, but I’m built for anything. I had already established a full-time job working in a plant, and going back to college meant balancing work, classes, studying, and my personal life. It wasn't an easy decision, but I knew that if I wanted to build the future I envisioned for myself, I had to take that first step. It was a necessary decision. My career interest is mechanical engineering because I have always been interested in how machines work and how engineering can improve the systems people rely on every day. Working in an refinery plant has given me motivation. I work with other engineers who encourage me to keep going because it will be hard, but it’s worth it. I don't just want to be involved in designing, improving, and solving the problems that make operations safer and more efficient. I want to own my own company. Since returning to school, I have committed myself to succeeding despite the demands of my schedule. I attend school full-time while continuing to work full-time. Many of my days begin early and end late, leaving little time to relax, but I have learned how to manage my time, stay organized, and remain focused on my priorities. Although balancing these responsibilities can be stressful, I have refused to let that become an excuse for falling behind. One accomplishment that I am proud of is earning a place on the Dean's List. It represents the countless hours I have spent studying after long shifts at work and the determination to give my best effort even when I was exhausted. At the same time, I tend to be very hard on myself. Even when I achieve something meaningful, I often feel like I could have done better. While this mindset sometimes makes it difficult to appreciate my accomplishments, it also motivates me to continue learning and improving. My long-term goal is to earn my mechanical engineering degree and apply both my education and industry experience to build a successful career in engineering and own my company. I want to build my own engine as well. Returning to school has taught me that perseverance and discipline are just as important as intelligence. Every assignment completed, every exam passed, and every semester finished brings me one step closer to becoming the engineer I aspire to be. It’s hard and sometimes I fall behind, but I catch myself up. I still challenge myself to do better each day, I have learned that the willingness to keep moving forward is an achievement in itself.

Pursuing a career in STEM has been both a rewarding and demanding journey. I am up late hours of the night studying, and the next thing I know, I am being told by my advisor that it is okay to start filling out applications in my career field. As I look forward to graduating from school, I am excited, anxious, and nervous. The excitement comes in when I can visually see my life coming together, me getting my dream job, breaking generational curses, and doing everything I said I was. I am anxious about what's next to come financially. My mom is disabled. I don't have financial support because she is on a fixed income. Financially, things are always a struggle, but I make the best out of it, and I do not complain. I am determined to be the first person in my family to graduate. Even though I am determined to graduate, the financial burden tied to tuition, study material, and school books is more numbers on a piece of paper. These financial burdens slow down my progress. I learned and managed to use free online materials, making friends to borrow textbooks, and working a full-time job in the plant while studying. Receiving this scholarship will allow me to worry less about my financial situation and more about school, passing, and graduating. This scholarship will give me peace of mind while taking my engineering courses and other major courses. It would allow me to focus on studying more, applying for jobs in my field, and refining my skills. In the future, I hope to work in Mechanical Engineering, robotics to be exact. This field of study can help me help people improve in their everyday lives. I want to give back to my community. I was always taught to never forget where I have come from and what I have been through. Giving back would be like a thank you for the motivation, and hopefully, I can inspire someone to go just as hard as me. One day, I hope I can help students, family members, and friends find scholarships for college because it is always a way. This scholarship will be more than financial support; it will be a huge investment in my future, an investment in my purpose, and an investment in STEM. Even if I do not get picked, I am beyond thankful that you considered my application and read it.