I knew my family was poor. The fridge was often near empty, and my mom's shoulders carried the weight of unpaid bills. It was just her, my sister, and me. She did everything she could, but some days it wasn't enough. That's why the blue backpack mattered. Every Friday, my school counselor would hand it to me, filled with cans, pasta, snacks, and sometimes treats I'd never had before! The first time I brought it home, my mom let out a shaky sigh, as if she'd been holding her breath. That night, I ate until I was full without guilt. I wasn't scared to open the fridge or ask for more. That blue backpack was more than food, it was comfort, relief, and proof that someone out there cared. In many ways, it saved us. This act of charity fueled my lifelong passion for helping others. My career aspirations include becoming a financial analyst specializing in supporting small businesses and establishing a non-profit dedicated to empowering low-income families by offering career resources, job training, and job placement opportunities. My non-profit will make higher education and essential resources accessible to low-income families. By working to assist small businesses flourish, this will, in turn, create jobs in the community, which will enhance these underrepresented communities. The success I achieve in my career will not only fulfill my dreams but also contribute to the betterment of many families and businesses in our community.

When I was six years old, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I enthusiastically replied that I wanted to be a baker who would feed all the homeless people. I have always found joy in helping others, and I am committed to continuing to do so as I further my education and begin my career. This scholarship will enable me to attend my dream university and engage with various organizations in my college community that focus on assisting others. My primary career goal is to become a marketing analyst specializing in supporting smaller businesses and to establish a non-profit dedicated to making higher education and essential resources accessible to low-income families and students. As a first-generation student, I had to often look for information regarding my future on my own. I didn’t have access to all the latest information, and I ultimately felt stuck and confined in four walls filled with despair, failure, and shame. My upbringing has influenced my career path heavily. In my early teens, I decided that I wanted to be able to provide for low-income families and underrepresented businesses, This scholarship will help alleviate some of my financial struggle which allows me to focus on my volunteer work. While volunteering I will connect with many families in need and provide them with assistance outside of just providing food, for instance, securing job applications, advocating for workplace opportunities, and dangerous and unethical living situations. I will also be able to collaborate with different marketing departments, schools, and communities. Receiving this scholarship will bring me closer to the future I have always envisioned. By participating in these volunteer programs, I will learn various procedures and strategies within the marketing community, as I work toward becoming a marketing analyst and starting my non-profit. This scholarship will push me even harder to strive day in and day out to flourish in my career. I will be able to aid students as they further their education and assist families as they access safe livable housing and other necessities. Through continuous hard work, research, and networking I will be able to expand my non-profit and marketing analyst career. I will be able to reach more people in need of my services and overall make a bigger impact within our community. As I succeed in my career, the success within my profession will contribute to the success of many families, businesses, and students.