I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced in life. Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life.

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."

I was once asked by my mentor, "what is about your life right now that you consider worth it?", "Picture yourself as your own judge; what would you consider as your strengths and weaknesses?" When she asked me these two questions, I looked at her, and I smiled. I smiled not because the questions were funny but because I knew it takes maturity to appreciate what is worth it, courage to acknowledge one's weaknesses, and wisdom to acknowledge one's strength humbly. I came to the United States at a very young age, and like many other immigrants, the beginning of my journey was not easy. With no significant college education, I could only work at certain places that provided a salary that could barely sustain my needs. I worked late at night and woke up early every morning to go to school. Taking care of the bills and trying to succeed in school simultaneously. The struggle was imminent, but I did not complain. Why? Because I knew that the fight I was fighting was "worth it." I have always aspired to become a civil engineer, and here I was, residing in America—the land full of opportunities. I knew if I once had the abilities to overcome the educational and socioeconomic challenges that I faced back in my home country, I certainly had what it takes to succeed in any college in the U.S. I was willing to fight, to work arduously each time the opportunity arisen. The motivation and the willingness I had to reach my goal was "worth it." It was worth it not merely because I knew Civil Engineering was a rewarding career but because I knew if I succeeded, I would be able to give back to my community. I would be able to provide support for those who cannot support themselves. It is easier to listen to other people sharing what they believe are our strengths, weaknesses, or areas we could improve. However, self-assessing our-selves is not such an easy task. I can recall when my mentor asked me about my strengths and weaknesses, I subconsciously aligned my answer to my career goal. Based on the myriad of things I want to accomplish as a Civil Engineer, I knew that I needed to strengthen my soft and hard skills. Since that time and on, I have engaged myself in a series of activities that pave the way for me to become an efficient communicator, listener, multitasker, critical thinker, and most importantly, a leader. Today, I can strongly affirm that I am a better leader than I was years ago—if I ever was one. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, my vision is not to solely improve my financial situation by becoming an educated individual but also to give back. I want to be able to one-day build shelters for the homeless, schools and universities in places that are in need, and hospitals in impoverished countries. My goal is to use my degree to help people rise from penury to comfort and escape the challenges I have faced earlier in life. Life happens! Sometimes I feel like quitting. The daily struggles make me question my abilities. I tend to let fear get the best out of me. I believe this is my weakness. As a great leader once said, "fear is nothing but False-Evidence-Appear- Real." I have strived to see every failure as a new opportunity to stand up and fight harder. I may fall, but the person I have become will stand back up and fight some more, and that is "worth it."