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. I have chosen to further my education at Virginia state university. I chose to go to an HBCU because I knew my education would be valued and I would be given opportunities to showcase my plans for the future. HBCUs tend to adeptly give back to the community through volunteering and that peaked my interests. 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. 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, as well as dangerous and unethical living situations. I will also be able to collaborate with different marketing departments, schools, and communities and help them earn the funding and sales they desire. My career will allow me to lift the financial burden of many families, students, and businesses and allow them to pursue their bright future.

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.

I enjoy seeing smiling faces, smiling faces give me the confidence to keep striving towards my goals. 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.  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, but I had no clue where to start. I firmly believe that everyone should live the life they desire regardless of their circumstances. 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. While pursuing my education, I will volunteer within my college community. Meals on Wheels and the Triangle Marketing Association are my top volunteering options. While volunteering for Meals on Wheels, 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, as well as dangerous and unethical living situations. I will also be able to collaborate with different marketing departments, schools, and communities and help them earn the funding and sales they desire. I will strive day in and day out to make sure students have access to more local scholarships, families have access to safe livable housing, and small businesses have an increase in sales. I hope I can lift that weight off their shoulders and find long-term solutions to their problems. 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.

As I sit here typing this essay, I reflect on the relief I feel after years of emotional distress. During my childhood, I was often isolated from my family, believing I was a burden. Whenever I attempted to express my feelings, I was dismissed. I felt I wasn’t meant to be here and would be better off not here. When I entered high school, I began to surround myself with caring friends who understood my worth and helped me realize that I deserve love and respect. Through this experience, I have deepened my connections with others and strive to create an inclusive community. I have become the kind of person I always desired to have in my life. I have overcome this phase and learned to be more patient with everyone. My relationship with my mom and other relatives has improved expeditiously since I began living life for myself taking their comments and ignorance with a grain of salt has helped me stay steady in my healing process. My upbringing has influenced my desire to help others embrace their true selves, live amazing lives, and grow as people. Going through years of neglect and emotional distress I have realized that I want to connect with people my age who have been silenced about their mental health. Silencing the youth especially when it comes to trauma and abuse has been a serious reoccurring issue. I believe that young children and even adults should be informed of stable mental health and what that looks like. By providing them with that information we will help people get the support they need and hopefully prevent them from entering the relentless cycle I went through.