In my mid 20s, I was called into work on my day off, a day I purposely requested off as it was the death anniversary of a close friend. While walking to work, I was hit by a car, a woman texting and driving, right out of the crosswalk. The impact was so forceful that by the time my head hit the concrete, I blacked out. I was resuscitated by an EMT on their way to work who saw the accident and was told I actually stopped breathing for some time and would have died if not for the timing of the EMT stopping for coffee. The incident left me physically broken, mentally shaken, and emotionally overwhelmed. But, it also taught me the value of putting my health and healing first, reshaping how I live my life today in my 30s. Recovery was more than just about healing bones and learning to walk again, it was about rebuilding every part of myself. Physically, I had to relearn how to walk, write, build strength, and endure long stretches of physical therapy for basic tasks. Mentally, I struggled with fear and anxiety, especially around roads and every day mobility. Emotionally, I carried the weight of trauma and guilt, asking myself what I could have done differently or how my friends and family would have reacted if I stayed dead. I quickly realized that this was not something I could overcome with sheer willpower alone. I needed support, structure, and a shift in mindset. Before the accident, I struggled with hyper independence and overworking myself to avoid my feelings. I learned to give myself permission to rest, ask for help, and set boundaries. That was hard for someone who only ever knew how to push through everything in silence. I started therapy, embraced a more balanced routine of physical therapy and exercise, and practiced mindfulness. I began journaling my feelings, not to dwell on what happened, but to process it and take back control of the narrative. As a manager, I allowed more of my staff to take time off and took a more personable approach in balancing not only my life but their work-life balances. Slowly, I built healthier habits that made, not only mine, but everyone's physical and mental health nonnegotiable. This experience changed how I prepared for my future. I now approach school with a more sustainable mindset, I pace myself instead of overcommitting, taking four classes per semester instead of six to avoid burnout and the guilt that I should have completed my bachelors earlier in life. I've also become more compassionate, not just toward myself, but others also going through invisible battles. Something silent to me could feel like screaming to another, and I want to support those who are in need, even if I have not personally experienced their situation. Surviving gave me perspective. It taught me that productivity means nothing without health, and success is not sustainable if it comes at the cost of your body and mind. Though I still carry scars, some visible some not, I carry lessons I couldn't have learned any other way. I am more present, more grounded, and more resilient. That day could have been the end of my story. Instead, it became the beginning of a life where health is not just a priority, but a foundation.

As global concerns about climate change and environmental degradation grow, the responsibility to promote sustainability has expanded beyond traditional sectors like manufacturing and energy. Human Resources, typically seen as a people centered field, is uniquely positioned to drive sustainable change by shaping workplace culture, policies, and behaviors that align with long term environmental goals. In today's evolving workplace, sustainability should not be viewed as a separate corporate initiative but as an integral part of organizational development, HR is the bridge between ideals and implementation. Sustainability in HR begins with embedding environmental reasonability into the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to training and performance evaluations. By incorporating sustainability values into job descriptions and interview questions, HR can attract talent that aligns with environmental goals. Green onboarding practices, such as digital paperwork, virtual orientation, and education on company sustainability initiatives set the tone early on. Through training and communication, HR professionals can empower employees to reduce waste, conserve energy, and think critically about how environmental implications of their work. Workplace policies also play a critical role. HR has the authority to advocate for hybrid and remote work options, which helps reduce carbon emissions from mass commuting. HR can also promote virtual meetings, sustainable travel policies, and digital collaboration tools to minimize paper use and business travel. Even benefit packages can be reimagined to support eco conscious lifestyles, such as subsidized public transportation, "bike to work" programs, or green volunteer days. Looking to the future, I see myself as an HR professional who takes pride in sustainability, not only as a corporate value, but as a measurable goal. I want to work in organizations or nonprofits that treat sustainability as a shared responsibility, one where HR collaborates with operations, procurement, and facilities to create holistic strategies. My main goal is to develop programs that link employee engagement with sustainability, such as green teams, gamified energy saving initiatives, highly promote hybrid and remote work when available, or sustainably focused leadership development. Beyond internal operations, HR can also help drive change through supplier diversity and ethical labor practices, ensuring the organization's values extend to partners and contractors. Sustainability in HR also branches into social sustainability, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and inclusive hiring practices. These are essential components of building a resilient, ethical, and forward thinking workplace I genuinely believe real change happens when sustainability is treated as a cultural norm, not a compliance issue. As someone who is passionate about both people and the environment, I am committed to using my future HR skills to influence environmental responsibility at every level or my future organization. By fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, I can help reduce environmental impact while promoting business practices that are both ethical and enduring. In a time when every profession must contribute to green solutions, HR has the power, and the duty, to lead by example. Through thoughtful policy, inclusive leadership, and strategic culture building, HR can be a catalyst for sustainability in the workplace and beyond.

For most of my life, I felt very out of place without knowing why. I struggled to connect in ways others seemed to do naturally, I was often told I was too sensitive or intense, or simply "overthinking." When I finally received my diagnosis at 30, it didn't come as a shock, but more of validation. For years, I was dismissed, misunderstood, or told I was imagining thing. Coming out as gay also did not help the treatment either, if anything most people used that as a way to dismiss any of my quirks. The past year and a half has been transformative. For the first time I've been able to look at my habits, reactions, and communication style through a much clearer lens. I've become more self aware, not in a self critical way, but more with a sense of curiosity on why and how I instinctively react to things around me. I now am able to recognize why loud and busy environments mentally and physically exhaust me, why change always feel overwhelming, and why I hyper fixate on topics that interest me. These are not flaws, they are parts of me that just need a little more time to understand. I do not let autism define me. I see it as just a single trait. My goals, drive, and empathy for others stand out just as strongly as any other trait I have. In fact, this diagnosis has only fortified my determination to build a meaningful life, not just for myself, but for my family. As a full time caregiver for a physically disabled mother, I've learned how important patience, advocacy, and empathy truly are. These experiences have shaped my desire to pursue a bachelors in HR. HR feels like a natural path forward, where I can support others, create inclusive environments, and help people navigate complex systems. I want to be part of the solution, especially for those who feel unseen or misunderstood. I know firsthand what it looks like to be overlooked, and I want to use that knowledge to break the cycle and uplift others. Receiving my diagnosis later in life hasn't been easy, but it certainly has been empowering. It has helped me better understand myself, find peace with my past, and develop a plan for a future with a purpose. I am not defined by a label, I am defined by how I grow from it and how I choose to show up for the people who matter the most.

Growing up in a home where hunger was often a necessary evil so that my family didn't have to, I learned too early that survival takes sacrifice. Love often looks like silence, taking physical blows, sleeping on the floor, skipped meals, and strength you didn't know you had. As a first-gen college student, I carry not only my own ambitions, but also the weight of my disabled mother's and autistic brother's well-being. These responsibilities have shaped my dreams, not sidelined them. Today, I'm pursuing a degree in LHR, with my goal to eventually be getting my Masters in Healthcare Admin and working in Hospital HR or being a patient advocate. I want to be the person who listens, truly listens, to bother staff and patients, ensuring fairness, dignity and compassionate care. I genuinely want to transform systems within and advocate for patients and providers alike. I may come from a disadvantaged background, but I refuse to let it write the ending to my story.

Being a first-gen college student has deeply shaped my career goals and personal values by instilling a strong sense of reasonability and purpose. Without a blueprint to follow, I have had to navigate higher education independently while managing family responsibilities that most of my peers have not had to face. Growing up, I saw firsthand how essential advocacy and compassion are in systems that are not always designed with every individual's needs in mind. Watching my disabled mother and autistic brother face daily challenges has motivated me to pursue a career in Human Recourses, where I can help build inclusive and supportive workplaces. These circumstances have shaped not only my priorities but also my vision for the future. HR is a field where I can promote fairness, inclusion, and employee well-being. I want to advocate for fair treatment, accessibility, and policies that truly support employees' diverse needs. At the same time, my goal is to build a stable career that allows me to financially support my family. My journey isn't about upward mobility, it's about creating a life where I can provide the care, comfort, and security fir the people who depend on me, while helping others find the support they need at work too.