Calculus is fundamental to the STEM field, serving as a cornerstone for numerous scientific and engineering disciplines. Its importance extends far beyond traditional applications in physics and engineering, permeating various fields, including the publishing industry, where my role as a sales analysis intern has provided me with a unique perspective on its utility. At its core, calculus is the study of change and motion. It provides the mathematical framework to analyze and understand phenomena that involve continuous change. In the STEM field, calculus is indispensable because it enables the formulation and solving of complex problems. For instance, in physics, calculus is used to describe the motion of objects, the behavior of waves, and the dynamics of systems. In engineering, it is crucial for designing and analyzing structures, electrical circuits, and fluid dynamics. In the publishing industry, calculus plays a pivotal role in various aspects, particularly in data analysis and optimization. As a sales analysis intern, I have witnessed firsthand how calculus can be leveraged to drive business decisions and optimize processes. Here are a few ways calculus is important in this context: Calculus helps in understanding and predicting trends by analyzing data patterns. For instance, by applying differential calculus, we can determine the rate of change in book sales over time. This allows us to identify trends, such as seasonal fluctuations or the impact of marketing campaigns. By understanding these trends, publishers can make informed decisions about inventory management, marketing strategies, and resource allocation. Also. one of the primary applications of calculus in business is optimization. Publishers need to optimize various processes, such as pricing strategies, print runs, and distribution logistics. Calculus, specifically techniques involving derivatives and integrals, allows us to find the optimal solutions that maximize profit or minimize cost. For example, by using calculus-based models, we can determine the optimal price point for a book that maximizes revenue while considering factors such as production costs and consumer demand. In sales analysis, predictive modeling is crucial for forecasting future sales and making strategic decisions. Calculus-based models, such as exponential growth and decay models, help in predicting future sales patterns based on historical data. This is particularly useful for anticipating demand for new releases or understanding the long-term performance of existing titles. In my role as a sales analysis intern at HarperCollins, I have utilized calculus-based techniques to analyze sales data, optimize pricing strategies, and predict future sales trends. These applications have not only enhanced my analytical skills but also underscored the importance of calculus in making data-driven decisions that drive business success. In conclusion, calculus is vital in the STEM field due to its ability to model and solve complex problems involving continuous change. Its applications in the publishing industry, particularly in sales analysis and optimization, demonstrate its versatility and importance in driving business decisions. As a sales analysis intern, my experience has shown me how calculus-based methods can be leveraged to enhance efficiency, optimize processes, and ultimately contribute to the success of the organization.

Pursuing a STEM degree has been a journey fueled by a mix of inspiration and immense passion. In all honesty, my initial sparked interest came from none other than Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man. Mr. Stark, a character known for his complexity, showcases a blend of intelligence, innovation, and a deep-seated desire to protect and enhance his community. Despite his flaws and ego, he truly cared for his people (Peter Parker!) and community. His dedication to using technology for the greater good resonated with me. Also, just growing up in Los Angeles, a city where sports culture is deeply ingrained, I found myself captivated by the statistical aspects of sports. This fascination led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, where I discovered the power of data to tell compelling stories and data-driven decisions. In choosing to pursue a degree in STEM, I was drawn by the potential to make meaningful contributions to society through technology and data. The realm of STEM offers endless possibilities for innovation and problem-solving, allowing us to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. As a person of color, I am particularly motivated to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the field, enriching the discourse and fostering inclusive advancements. My hope is to impact the STEM field by leveraging my background and skills to advocate for diversity and equity. Representation matters, and I aim to be a role model for other aspiring STEM professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. By breaking barriers and excelling in my field, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue their passions in STEM, demonstrating that they too can succeed and make a difference. One of the key areas I am passionate about is data science, particularly its application in sports analytics. The intersection of sports and data provides a unique opportunity to enhance performance, strategize effectively, and engage fans on a deeper level. My goal is to use my expertise to innovate within this space, developing data-driven solutions that improve decision-making processes for teams and athletes. Moreover, I am keen on using data to address issues of equity within sports, such as analyzing disparities in resource allocation and opportunities for athletes from diverse backgrounds. Beyond sports, I am also interested in exploring how data science can address broader societal issues. For instance, using data to inform public policy, improve healthcare outcomes, and combat climate change are areas where I believe my skills can make a significant impact. By working on projects that have a tangible, positive effect on communities, I hope to contribute to a more just and sustainable world. In the professional realm, I aspire to collaborate with organizations that prioritize innovation and social responsibility. Working in cross-functional teams, such as my experience with the Data Stack team focusing on Sales Analysis, Data Science, and Metadata, has shown me the value of diverse skill sets and perspectives in driving successful outcomes. I am eager to continue engaging in such collaborative environments, where I can both learn from others and contribute my unique insights. Ultimately, my pursuit of a STEM degree is driven by a desire to merge my technical skills with my passion for community impact. By staying true to the values of innovation, inclusivity, and social good, I aim to leave a lasting mark on the STEM field. Through dedication and perseverance, I hope to pave the way for future generations of diverse STEM professionals, ensuring that the field continues to evolve and thrive with a rich tapestry of voices and ideas.

Pursuing a STEM degree has been a journey fueled by a mix of inspiration and immense passion. In all honesty, my initial sparked interest came from none other than Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man. Mr. Stark, a character known for his complexity, showcases a blend of intelligence, innovation, and a deep-seated desire to protect and enhance his community. Despite his flaws and ego, he truly cared for his people (Peter Parker!) and community. His dedication to using technology for the greater good resonated with me. Also, just growing up in Los Angeles, a city where sports culture is deeply ingrained, I found myself captivated by the statistical aspects of sports. This fascination led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, where I discovered the power of data to tell compelling stories and data-driven decisions. In choosing to pursue a degree in STEM, I was drawn by the potential to make meaningful contributions to society through technology and data. The realm of STEM offers endless possibilities for innovation and problem-solving, allowing us to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. As a person of color, I am particularly motivated to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the field, enriching the discourse and fostering inclusive advancements. My hope is to impact the STEM field by leveraging my background and skills to advocate for diversity and equity. Representation matters, and I aim to be a role model for other aspiring STEM professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. By breaking barriers and excelling in my field, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue their passions in STEM, demonstrating that they too can succeed and make a difference. One of the key areas I am passionate about is data science, particularly its application in sports analytics. The intersection of sports and data provides a unique opportunity to enhance performance, strategize effectively, and engage fans on a deeper level. My goal is to use my expertise to innovate within this space, developing data-driven solutions that improve decision-making processes for teams and athletes. Moreover, I am keen on using data to address issues of equity within sports, such as analyzing disparities in resource allocation and opportunities for athletes from diverse backgrounds. Beyond sports, I am also interested in exploring how data science can address broader societal issues. For instance, using data to inform public policy, improve healthcare outcomes, and combat climate change are areas where I believe my skills can make a significant impact. By working on projects that have a tangible, positive effect on communities, I hope to contribute to a more just and sustainable world. In the professional realm, I aspire to collaborate with organizations that prioritize innovation and social responsibility. Working in cross-functional teams, such as my experience with the Data Stack team focusing on Sales Analysis, Data Science, and Metadata, has shown me the value of diverse skill sets and perspectives in driving successful outcomes. I am eager to continue engaging in such collaborative environments, where I can both learn from others and contribute my unique insights. Ultimately, my pursuit of a STEM degree is driven by a desire to merge my technical skills with my passion for community impact. By staying true to the values of innovation, inclusivity, and social good, I aim to leave a lasting mark on the STEM field. Through dedication and perseverance, I hope to pave the way for future generations of diverse STEM professionals, ensuring that the field continues to evolve and thrive with a rich tapestry of voices and ideas.

In all honesty, I decided to pursue a mathematics degree because of none other than Tony Stark or Iron Man. His character is quite complicated, as a know-it-all with a god complex, but at the end of the day, you can see his big heart for his community and those he loves. The way he took Peter Parker under his wing and mentored him seriously resonated with me, especially because I relate to Peter and his characterization so much. Like him, I started off as a lost puppy, but once I furthered my education, the more I was convinced that an Applied Math degree was the correct path for me Although I have pursued this degree for my undergrad, I do have many other passions in life, as I uncommonly decided to earn a Minor in English. Being exposed to upper-division English courses has made me a much better analytical thinker and just more aware and in-tune with the ever-changing world around me. I have always loved English and I decided to pursue it because of my first Intro to Statistics course. My professor unabashedly promoted Data Science/Statistics every class session for a potential masters because they are not limited to a certain area, as it can be applied to practically any industry. This really stuck with me because like I said, when I started my academic journey, I didn’t know what path I was going down. I have so many other interests like books, pop culture, sports, music, etc. and I did not want to be confined to something that I could learn to hate. This knowledge gave me new life once I realized that I could land a career in areas that I love. Now, thanks to my Math degree, I will be pursuing an Applied Data Science degree at the University of Southern California. My future career plan is to one day be a sports data analyst. As a former competitive athlete, I have always been a sports superfan. I will watch any sport with the same piqued interest and curiosity. Other than just the sport and game itself, I always found myself being entranced by the statistics and analytics of it all. I always (annoyingly) ask my father questions while watching games, about player/team statistics and always paying extra attention to the announcers and analysts. One of the most satisfying things is when I analyze the game out loud, and the announcers immediately notice and say the same thing as me. It’s so validating and thrilling, and really reinforces my strive to be a sports analyst one day. It’s truly where I would like to end up, as I further my education and skillset with Applied Data Science. Sports is my ultimate comfort zone and adding statistics/analytics to that would almost be unfair because at that point, it wouldn’t feel like a job.

The first book that immediately came to mind is Severance by Ling Ma. It is a cleverly written post-apocalyptic story that also eerily parallels our recent experience with COVID-19. In this novel, the people who are infected or fevered, turn into non-violent zombies who get stuck in a cyclical mindless, and compulsive routine until they die. Instead of fearing flesh-eating zombies, the fear is more about our society’s obsession with consumer capitalism, routine, and productivity. This truly changed my perspective on the world, as it had me rethinking what I value and what matters most to me because, for days, my mind kept thinking about what I would be doing in repetition if I were to be fevered today. As much as I want to pretend that it wouldn’t be scrolling mindlessly through social media, I know deep down that it is probably the most realistic outcome. It made me so sad, and I wanted to cry because it left me feeling very unfulfilled. We live in a very digital world, where people are easily influenced and get caught up in media consumption and online validation. Our opinions and interests are all tied to social media, and we sometimes don’t realize that our thoughts are no longer our own. I read this novel in a recent English class and my professor asked us, “What is the number one problem in your life? Say the first thing that comes to mind.” It was a rapid-fire of answers, and the class realized how soulless and first-world our answers were, which caused us to just pause and reflect on who we are, how disheartening it was, and what our answers say about us and our world. I think this book is also a really good reminder to have a good work-life balance and to not get caught up in jobs that we hate where we do not have time to experience and enjoy the activities and hobbies we truly love. It will make you laugh, think, and reflect, but in a very gratifying and life-altering way.

In all honesty, I decided to pursue a mathematics degree because of none other than Tony Stark or Iron Man. His character is quite complicated, as a know-it-all with a god complex, but at the end of the day, you can see his big heart for his community and those he loves. The way he took Peter Parker under his wing and mentored him seriously resonated with me, especially because I relate to Peter and his characterization so much. Like him, I started off as a lost puppy, but once I furthered my education, the more I was convinced that an Applied Math degree was the correct path for me. Math is very frustrating at times, but also so beautiful. The feeling you get after finally understanding a concept is unmatched. It requires patience, as there isn't much instant gratification, but the payoff is so worth it. Although I have a Math degree, I do have many other passions in life, as I uncommonly decided to earn a Minor in English. Being exposed to upper-division English courses has made me a much better analytical thinker and just more aware and in-tune with the ever-changing world around me. I have always loved English and I decided to pursue it because of my first Intro to Statistics course. My professor unabashedly promoted Data Science/Statistics in every class session for a potential master's because they are not limited to a certain area, as it can be applied to practically any industry. This really stuck with me because like I said, when I started my academic journey, I didn’t know what path I was going down. I have so many other interests like books, pop culture, sports, music, etc. and I did not want to be confined to something that I could learn to hate. This knowledge gave me new life once I realized that I could land a career in areas that I love. I am obsessed with numbers and statistics, and now thanks to my Math degree, I will be pursuing an Applied Data Science degree at the University of Southern California.

In all honesty, I decided to pursue a mathematics degree because of none other than Tony Stark or Iron Man. His character is quite complicated, as a know-it-all with a god complex, but at the end of the day, you can see his big heart for his community and those he loves. The way he took Peter Parker under his wing and mentored him seriously resonated with me, especially because I relate to Peter and his characterization so much. Like him, I started off as a lost puppy, but once I furthered my education, the more I was convinced that an Applied Math degree was the correct path for me. Although I have pursued this degree for my undergrad, I do have many other passions in life, as I uncommonly decided to earn a Minor in English. Being exposed to upper-division English courses has made me a much better analytical thinker and just more aware and in-tune with the ever-changing world around me. I have always loved English and I decided to pursue it because of my first Intro to Statistics course. My professor unabashedly promoted Data Science/Statistics in every class session for a potential master's because they are not limited to a certain area, as it can be applied to practically any industry. This really stuck with me because like I said, when I started my academic journey, I didn’t know what path I was going down. I have so many other interests like books, pop culture, sports, music, etc. and I did not want to be confined to something that I could learn to hate. This knowledge gave me new life once I realized that I could land a career in areas that I love. Now, thanks to my Math degree, I will be pursuing an Applied Data Science degree at the University of Southern California. My future career plan is to one day be a sports data analyst. As a former competitive athlete, I have always been a sports superfan. I will watch any sport with the same piqued interest and curiosity. Other than just the sport and game itself, I always found myself being entranced by the statistics and analytics of it all. I always (annoyingly) ask my father questions while watching games, about player/team statistics and always pay extra attention to the announcers and analysts. One of the most satisfying things is when I analyze the game out loud, and the announcers immediately notice and say the same thing as me. It’s so validating and thrilling, and really reinforces my strive to be a sports analyst one day. It’s truly where I would like to end up, as I further my education and skillset with Applied Data Science. Sports is my ultimate comfort zone and adding statistics/analytics to that would almost be unfair because, at that point, it wouldn’t feel like a job.