As an incoming college freshman passionate about programming and business, I am fully committed to pursuing a bachelor's in computer science and a minor in business. My interest in computer programming was later than most, and I have done my best to work toward propelling myself concerning my programming knowledge and skills by enrolling in an introductory programming dual enrollment course and challenging myself by participating in CyberStart America. The cybersecurity competition taught me much about various cybersecurity topics, like utilizing browser dev tools and cryptography. I earned the National Cyber Scholar title and have been working toward earning a Google Certificate in Project Management, qualifying me to apply for Certified Associate in Project Management. Entering Cal Poly Pomona, I will join the programs and extracurriculars offered, such as the CPP Game Development Club and sheCodes, to continue improving my programming and collaboration skills by working on team projects with other club members. After college, I will enter my field by starting as a software developer and working on software applications and computer systems. After a few years of working in that position, I want to pursue project management or get into game development. I want to work with companies to set goals and assist in working toward them by managing teams and resources, maintaining budgets and progress, and exercising risk management strategies. I recently became interested in developing video games that offer users an incredible gaming experience. Either pathway allows me to grow in the technology industry. Regarding STEM, specifically technology, there is much opportunity for growth in all aspects. When I first entered STEM as a pathway in my first year of high school, despite being forced into it, I was initially interested in creating websites using HTML and learning a bit about Python. Since I was more inclined to design, I was more interested in web development. However, when I took more time to practice Python, I became increasingly intrigued by developing limitless types of programs and expanding my programming knowledge to other languages like Java and C. It excites me that STEM opens many career opportunities for those passionate about computer science and allows for job promotion if you have a knack for it. Having a well-paying and rejuvenating career in tech promotes personal growth. The less time spent worrying about finances allows individuals to explore parts of themselves and become their ideal selves. Over time, they can spread that positivity and knowledge to others who want to do the same. A job in information technology not only opens doors for me but for other people as well. Becoming a tech professional will propel me toward various career and personal goals. From there, I can open up opportunities for others that can benefit them and encourage ambition and continuous learning in my community. I believe my work can lead to a legacy of other IT professionals becoming leaders who inspire and improve the world. The projects I manage and execute can lead to new programs and computer systems that work toward various causes meant to benefit people at a national level. These can be a program that minimizes homelessness in California or a system that ensures that families in need receive the assistance they need. I have experienced many challenges throughout my high school career, much of it concerning college and time management. Since I am the oldest between myself and my sister, and neither of my parents has earned a college degree, I will be the first in my family to attend a four-year degree program intending to graduate with a bachelor's in computer science. The process of college applications and figuring out my financial situation has been incredibly stressful, especially with my parents separating during my third year of high school. One of my most significant challenges occurred after committing to Cal Poly Pomona. I have trouble separating failure from learning. My self-esteem took various hits from emails filled with fluffy words doused in rejection. I kept many of these negative thoughts to myself to not burden others with my self-pity. But it all fell apart when I received a failing grade on my college math final. Sharing the news with my family, I expected disappointment and degrading comments. However, they expressed their pride in me despite it and that this was only a learning experience to utilize on my college journey. These sentiments and encouragement brought me to retake that test and earn a B in the course. Now, I need to unlearn this mindset and allow myself to make mistakes while learning from them instead of beating myself up for them. I can take these moments and let them push me toward achieving success and leading a healthy and accomplished life.

When I was a Junior in high school, I experienced a spiral after questioning my initial dream to become a freelance artist and attend art school after graduating. I struggled with my identity and what I wanted my adulthood to be like. I was frustrated with myself and wondered why it was so hard to organize and plan my future when I used to be incredible at it before. After months of uncertainty, my mother came to me with a solution. She suggested utilizing my organizational and leadership skills and pursuing project management as a career. Initially, I was skeptical since I didn’t see myself as someone who could lead a group of professionals, much less hold a decent conversation with an individual. Despite my doubts, I looked into what it was like and what it took to work up the ladder towards project management. I was intrigued by the descriptions, and its qualities checked some of my boxes for a possible job! From there, I started to explore the different industries with a high job outlook, choosing to delve into information technology. I had previous experience with programming in Python, albeit not lengthy or the best, and decided to take opportunities to improve my skills. My mom showed me where I could earn a Google Career Certificate by going through several modules introducing the various terms and processes used by project managers. For months, I tried to work through the course; I watched every video, read through articles and interactive infographics, and engaged in challenging assignments. I felt confident as I dug into the project cycle and the standard practices project managers utilize to lead the groups of people they’re in charge of. Unfortunately, I hit a block in my progress since I had a family matter occur, and pushed through other issues cropped up towards the end of the course. I never got to finish, but I still plan to complete it and earn my last certificate. Currently, I am spending more time working toward the programming aspects of my career by participating in CyberStart America to earn a scholarship and taking notes on computer science-related YouTube videos. It may not seem like much, but I have made more progress than I ever thought before. I want to continue to work harder and smarter by pursuing my project management certification as I work toward getting my bachelor’s in business administration and computer science at university. However, I need the funds to enter one of the colleges of my dreams. By earning this money, I can progress toward making the sufficient amount needed to pay my tuition and my school supplies.

When I was a Junior in high school, I experienced a spiral after questioning my initial dream to become a freelance artist and attend art school after graduating. I struggled with my identity and what I wanted my adulthood to be like. I was frustrated with myself and wondered why it was so hard to organize and plan my future when I used to be incredible at it before. After months of uncertainty, my mother came to me with a solution. She suggested utilizing my organizational and leadership skills and pursuing project management as a career. Initially, I was skeptical since I didn’t see myself as someone who could lead a group of professionals, much less hold a decent conversation with an individual. Despite my doubts, I looked into what it was like and what it took to work up the ladder towards project management. I was intrigued by the descriptions, and its qualities checked some of my boxes for a possible job! From there, I started to explore the different industries with a high job outlook, choosing to delve into information technology. I had previous experience with programming in Python, albeit not lengthy or the best, and decided to take opportunities to improve my skills. My mom showed me where I could earn a Google Career Certificate by going through several modules introducing the various terms and processes used by project managers. For months, I tried to work through the course; I watched every video, read through articles and interactive infographics, and engaged in challenging assignments. I felt confident as I dug into the project cycle and the standard practices project managers utilize to lead the groups of people they’re in charge of. Unfortunately, I hit a block in my progress since I had a family matter occur, and pushed through other issues cropped up towards the end of the course. I never got to finish, but I still plan to complete it and earn my last certificate. Currently, I am spending more time working toward the programming aspects of my career by participating in CyberStart America to earn a scholarship and taking notes on computer science-related YouTube videos. It may not seem like much, but I have made more progress than I ever thought before. I want to continue to work harder and smarter by pursuing my project management certification as I work toward getting my bachelor’s in business administration and computer science at university.

I'm my future, I'm living a comfortable life with a job in programming, a beautiful townhouse, and two cats that I love dearly.

My mental health was never quite the strongest. I've had my share of depressive episodes and anxiety crawling up my throat. I never claimed to have depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues because I constantly contradicted myself. I began wondering if something was happening that I wasn't quite aware of. My middle school years were some of the worst years of my life. From 2016-2019, it felt like it was all crashing down. My relationships with friends deteriorated, and I wanted to leave my room less and less. I could barely hold a conversation, much less start one. I can't help but feel like I'm being watched from every angle, judged by my peers and family almost every day. I never felt supported in anything unless it was related to my grades or attempts at joining a sport. I had little to no confidence in myself. I was starting to lose hope in building a future. As I moved on to my Freshman year of high school, I started to stress myself out over what career I wanted to pursue and if I'd make any friends during the school year. I met neither of those goals. In my sophomore year, my mental health slightly improved. I was beginning to figure out who I wanted to be and found myself in small clusters of people I left comfortable with. I was a high achiever, aiming for straight A's and possibly training to play volleyball for my school team. However, things began going downhill when I started to feel isolated. I still didn't have an established friend group and struggled fully trust anyone. Then the people I surrounded myself with disappeared, and I was putting my all into surviving the rest of the year. I took college classes for some credits during the summer and went summer school, so I didn't have to take PE during my Junior year. Once again, I was drowning in work and sweat with little time to spend with family and friends. My patience for people was waning, and my social skills began to rust. I couldn't handle being around groups of people for long and felt out of place in my small quiet bubble. Now, I'm close to finishing my Junior year. I still struggle to b social around people my age. My grades are still well, with some incredibly stressful setbacks. I became the secretary of my school's book club, but we never connected quite well. Despite these roadblocks, I still created goals for myself and met a few. I wanted to learn new things and strengthen my relationships with my family. I accomplished them by spending more time with my little sister, going on a food world tour with my aunt, and going out to musicals and dinners with my mom. To this day, I'm proud of how far I've gone in life. At 13, I was worried about surviving the following year. But now, at 17 years old, I don't have to worry about that as much anymore. I have a career and college to look forward to. I want to live with my friends before finding a house. I want to move to Canada and adopt two beautiful cats for the first time. I want to live rather than exist, and slowly but surely, I'm accomplishing that goal.