
Hobbies and interests
Foreign Languages
Music
Dance
Walking
Reading
Spending Time With Friends and Family
Babysitting And Childcare
Volunteering
Bible Study
Business And Entrepreneurship
Bowling
Church
Coding And Computer Science
Biochemistry
Engineering
French
Swahili
Exploring Nature And Being Outside
Choir
Community Service And Volunteering
Singing
Tutoring
Soccer
Reading
Christianity
Leadership
Travel
Romance
Science
Education
Academic
I read books multiple times per month
RUTH MUTUND SOMP
795
Bold Points1x
Finalist
RUTH MUTUND SOMP
795
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
My name is Ruth, from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
I have a background in Industrial and Chemical Engineering with over two years of experience in the chemical industry. I'm now studying for a Master’s in Cybersecurity. I have also worked as an interpreter, and I enjoy learning languages and doing community service. I’m passionate about solving problems and making systems better.
Education
Bay Atlantic University
Master's degree programMajors:
- Computer Science
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Computer & Network Security
Dream career goals:
Sports
Soccer
Intramural2022 – 20242 years
Tennis
Intramural2019 – 2019
Soccer
Junior Varsity2010 – 20144 years
Public services
Volunteering
Team Kutting Edge — Ensured children's safety during meals and play, assisting with meal prep and serving. Reported concerns to coordinators and supervised activities.2016 – 2018
Future Interests
Volunteering
Entrepreneurship
OMC Graduate Scholarships
Receiving this scholarship would be a life-changing opportunity for me. It would not only support my education financially, but it would also bring me one step closer to my long-term dream: using technology and education to uplift underprivileged communities. As someone who has faced many challenges on my path to education, I understand how powerful financial support can be in helping someone achieve their full potential.
I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Cybersecurity. Before this, I earned a National Certificate in Chemical Engineering and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Each step of my academic journey has been meaningful and difficult. I have often struggled to cover tuition and living expenses, but I never gave up because I believe that education is the key to building a better future for myself and for others. This scholarship would allow me to focus more on my studies without the constant stress of financial pressure.
More than just a degree, my studies in cybersecurity represent a mission. I chose this field because the world is becoming more digital, and I want to make sure vulnerable communities are not left behind. Many children in poor or rural areas grow up without knowing how to use technology safely, or how to protect themselves online. I want to change that. I hope to create programs and tools that teach young people about digital literacy and cybersecurity. I also want to help build safe online spaces where they can learn, connect, and grow.
But none of this can happen without completing my education. To bring my ideas to life, I need strong technical knowledge, access to research, and the opportunity to connect with mentors and professionals in the cybersecurity field. This scholarship would help me stay in school, buy the resources I need, and stay focused on building these skills. It would also give me the freedom to continue volunteering and giving back to my community while studying.
Volunteering is important to me. In both Congo and Zimbabwe, I have spent time working with underprivileged children, caring for them, helping with meals, organizing safe activities, and simply being there when they needed someone. These children have left a mark on my heart. I see their potential, and I want to be part of helping them grow into confident, educated young people. This scholarship would give me the stability to keep doing this important work while also preparing myself to help them in even bigger ways in the future.
In the long term, my career goal is to launch a community-based tech and education initiative focused on children in underserved areas. I want to build learning centers where kids can get access to computers, the internet, trained mentors, and learning materials. I also want to create mobile learning platforms that reach children in remote areas. With my background in engineering and cybersecurity, I believe I can design systems that are practical, safe, and incredibly helpful to those who need them most.
This scholarship would not just be a financial award. It would be an investment in my vision, my community, and the future I want to help create. It would show me that others believe in what I am trying to do and that support would mean the world to me.
In conclusion, receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education without financial hardship, grow my skills in cybersecurity, and give me the chance to make a lasting impact in the lives of others. It would be the bridge between my dreams and the real change I want to make in the world.
Byte into STEM Scholarship
My name is Ruth, and I come from a family that did not have much. Growing up in poverty was not easy. I had to work extremely hard to get where I am today, and even now, I am still working hard to reach my goals. My background has shaped me into someone who is determined, focused, and deeply enthusiastic about helping others, especially children who are going through the same struggles I faced.
Because of my love for learning and problem-solving, I studied Chemical Engineering and earned a National Certificate. I later completed a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Today, I am studying for a master’s degree in Cybersecurity. I chose this path because I want to gain the skills needed to help protect people, especially young people, in a fast-changing digital world. I believe that technology and education together can change lives, especially in poor communities where support is limited.
Although I am proud of my academic journey, what matters even more to me is the volunteer work I have done. I have worked with underprivileged children in both Congo and Zimbabwe. During these experiences, I helped take care of the children during meals and playtime. I prepared and served food, and I shared any concerns with the program coordinators to make sure the children were safe and supported. These children reminded me of myself when I was young, full of hope but lacking opportunity.
Helping children like this is not just something I do. It is something I love. Every child deserves to feel safe, to learn, and to be encouraged. I want to be part of making that happen. One issue I care deeply about is the lack of access to quality education. Many children in poor areas have dreams and potential, but they do not have the tools or help to reach them. This breaks my heart because I know how it feels.
If I had the power to change this, I would build community learning centers where children could go to study, access the internet, and get help from mentors. I would also work on mobile and digital tools to reach those in remote areas, offering them lessons in reading, math, science, and even basic computer skills and online safety. My dream is to create spaces where children feel supported, inspired, and protected.
In the next five years, I hope to start a program like this in Congo and Zimbabwe. To achieve that, I will complete my cybersecurity degree, build partnerships with organizations, and continue volunteering to better understand what the children and families need most.
Education has changed my life. It has helped me find purpose and realize that I want to use what I have learned to serve others. As a woman studying engineering and cybersecurity fields that are still male dominated. I have faced challenges. But these challenges have made me stronger and more focused. I want to be a role model for young girls, to show them that they can also dream big and succeed.
To me, leadership means stepping up, serving others, and being someone people can count on. I have shown leadership through my volunteer work and studies, not by giving orders but by acting and helping where I can.
If I receive this scholarship, it will bring me closer to my goal of making a real difference. It will reduce the financial pressure and allow me to focus fully on my education and my dream of giving back. This support would not just help me; it would help all the children I hope to reach and uplift.
Baby OG: Next Gen Female Visionary Scholarship
My name is Ruth Mutund, and I come from a background where life was not easy. I grew up in a poor family, and from a young age, I understood that if I wanted to go to school and achieve anything in life, I would have to work very hard. Nothing was handed to me. I had to fight for every opportunity I got. Because of this, I care deeply about helping others, especially children who are going through what I went through.
Even with all the struggles, I never gave up. I first studied Chemical Engineering and received a National Certificate. Then I worked hard to earn a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Now, I am continuing my studies in Cybersecurity at the master’s level. I chose these fields because I want to understand how things work, improve systems, and protect people, especially in our growing digital world. My education is very important to me, not just for my future, but because I believe I can use it to help others too.
One of the things I care about the most is helping underprivileged children. In both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe, I have volunteered to support children who live in difficult situations. I helped make sure they were safe during playtime and meals, I assisted in preparing and serving food, and I shared any concerns with the coordinators to make sure each child got the care they needed. Spending time with these children reminded me of my younger self. I saw their potential, their dreams, and their struggles. This kind of work is very close to my heart, and I hope to continue doing it for the rest of my life.
The issue I feel most connected to is lack of access to education, especially for children in poor communities. I know what it’s like to want to learn but not have the tools or support to do so. If I had the power to change this, I would create learning centers in these communities. These centers would have books, computers, internet, and people to guide the children. I would also build mobile apps or online programs that can reach children in remote areas. These programs would help them learn basic subjects, digital skills, and how to stay safe online.
In the next five years, one of my biggest goals is to start a program like this in Congo and Zimbabwe. I want to create a safe space where children can come to learn, ask questions, and grow. I plan to do this by finishing my master’s degree, connecting with other organizations, and building a strong team of people who care about the same mission. I know it will take time, but I believe it is possible.
Education has helped me understand who I am and what I am meant to do. Every time I learn something new, it gives me more confidence and a stronger sense of purpose. I now see education not just as a way to improve my life, but as a powerful tool to help others change theirs. It helped me discover that I want to be a voice for those who don’t have one and a guide for those who are still finding their way.
Being a woman in engineering and cybersecurity has not been easy. These fields are mostly filled with men, and I have had to work hard to prove myself. Sometimes I felt like I didn’t belong, but I never gave up. My experiences have taught me to be strong and to support other girls who want to follow the same path. I believe women have so much to offer, and we deserve to be in every space, especially in technology and leadership.
To me, leadership means helping others grow. It means stepping up when something needs to be done and always being there for people. I have shown leadership through my volunteer work, through my studies, and by helping my community. I may not always have a big title, but I try to lead through my actions, with kindness and care.
One moment that really showed me the meaning of resilience was when I had to continue studying even though I didn’t have enough money for school fees or resources. I worked side jobs, applied for help, and studied late into the night. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me to keep going, no matter what. I learned that if you truly want something, you will find a way.
If I am given this scholarship, it would be a great help to me. It would ease financial pressure and allow me to focus fully on my studies and my plans to give back to my community. This scholarship would not only help me but also help the many children I want to support in the future. It would bring me one step closer to my dream of creating a world where every child, no matter where they are born, has the chance to learn, grow, and succeed.
ADP Scholarship
My name is Ruth Mutund, and I come from humble beginnings. Growing up in a poor family taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of giving back. Access to education was never guaranteed, and every step forward has been a result of relentless effort and determination. Because of this background, I have always been passionate about helping others, especially children who face the same struggles I once did.
Academically, I hold a National Certificate in Chemical Engineering and a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Currently, I am furthering my studies by pursuing a master’s degree in Cybersecurity. My educational journey has not been easy, but I continue to push forward because I believe that knowledge is one of the most powerful tools to break the cycle of poverty.
While I am proud of my academic achievements, the most fulfilling part of my life has been my volunteer work. I have spent years involved in community service in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe, working closely with underprivileged children. Whether it was helping them with schoolwork, ensuring their safety during activities, or simply offering them someone to talk to, I found deep purpose in supporting these children. I assisted in preparing and serving meals, organized safe playtime, and reported any concerns to coordinators to ensure their well-being.
My motivation stems from knowing what it feels like to struggle for opportunities. Volunteering is not just an activity for me; it is a calling. Every time I work with children who remind me of my younger self, I am reminded why I continue to work hard: to be the person I once needed.
Giving back to the community is my way of turning pain into purpose. It’s my dream to use my skills, education, and experiences to create more opportunities for disadvantaged children, helping them believe that their circumstances do not define their future.
I’ve worked directly with children, providing care, supporting their learning, and creating a safe and nurturing environment. These experiences have strengthened my belief that true change begins at the community level, and that small actions can have a big impact on someone’s future.
With my background in engineering and my current studies in cybersecurity, I also hope to launch community-based tech and education initiatives that empower youth with digital skills and safety awareness. My goal is to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, helping others unlock their potential, just as I continue striving to unlock mine.