If I could create my dream job after graduation, it would combine education, history, criminal justice, and public service to break down barriers and advocate for the undocumented, low-income, and underrepresented communities. I picture myself as an educator, community advocate, and policy changer, someone who understands both the historical and legal aspects of the United States system that has molded our society, but I also want to be someone who works to dismantle barriers in underserved communities and empower these communities. As a current student at the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in Education and Social Transformation, I am devoted and passionate about education, justice, public service, and policy-making, and how they combine or intersect. My dream job would be based on a community-based program with many tools and resources that educate undocumented families about their rights and provide them with helpful tools and resources, as well as advocate for them. This program will also involve scholarships, events in colleges, financial literacy career fairs/college readiness/ access fairs, workshops on higher education and financial aid, resources that are not offered in schools, such as internships, fellowships, educational opportunities for careers, and partnerships with programs also based on education. Growing up in a community where a lot of these resources were not provided made me realize that I want to grow up and work in a place that has resources not only for students or their families, but the whole community. Ensuring that no one is excluded from resources/ tools, no matter what their legal status, income, background, race, gender, or lack of knowledge of educational programs or resources. Growing up in a highly marginalized community, I saw inequality and how certain groups would be left out, not represented, and couldn’t speak up. I also saw a lack of resources and tools for students to be able to go to college and pursue higher education; a lot of the time, students didn’t even know what the 4 systems of higher education were. This made me realize how much I wanted to go into education and also do something that relates to public service. I didn’t only want to know how the system worked, I wanted to change it and make an impact. This is why I want to be able to work in a place that provides everyone with access to the resources and tools they will need to be successful and well-informed. Receiving this scholarship would help decrease the amount of financial hardships I struggle with, and that would limit my education. With this scholarship, I would be able to focus more on school and not worry so much about my finances at college, and would also focus on my main goal, which is being able to give back to underserved communities. As a first-generation college student, there is a lot of pressure to be successful and do good in college. Gear Up helped me realize that even though I come from a marginalized community, I was able to see that college was something that I had access to and could reach, and it made me realize how much I wanted to work in programs like Gear Up to be able to receive higher education. Being an education major has helped me with the analytical part of knowing the system and knowing the importance of receiving an education, especially in underrepresented communities. I want to wake up every day and know that through my job, I can make a difference. This scholarship will help me not only financially but also to reach my goals.