As a first-generation college student, I understand how overwhelming the path to higher education can feel when you are trying to figure it out without a clear roadmap. College is one of the most important decisions I have made, but it has also required sacrifice, discipline, and faith. I am currently studying Human Resource Development while working as an Uber and Lyft driver in Chicago, and that balance has taught me resilience in a very real way. My background has shaped the way I view education. I do not see college as only a degree or a title. I see it as an opportunity to grow into the person I am meant to become and to create more stability for my future. As the child of immigrants, I have witnessed the importance of hard work, perseverance, and making the most of opportunities. My family’s sacrifices motivate me to keep going, especially during seasons when school, work, finances, and personal responsibilities feel heavy. Part of what makes my journey unique is that much of my learning has happened both inside and outside the classroom. Driving Uber and Lyft has allowed me to meet people from countless backgrounds, cultures, careers, and life experiences. Some passengers share simple conversations, while others open up about grief, career changes, family struggles, dreams, or moments of uncertainty. Those conversations have strengthened my empathy and reminded me that everyone carries a story. They have also confirmed why I chose Human Resource Development: I want to help people feel supported, valued, and encouraged to grow. My plan to inspire and motivate other first-generation students begins with honesty. I want them to know that it is normal to feel confused, behind, or overwhelmed at times. Being first-generation often means learning as you go. It can mean filling out forms you have never seen before, asking questions you feel embarrassed to ask, or balancing responsibilities that other people may not fully understand. But none of that means you do not belong. It simply means you are building a path that others after you may one day walk more easily. I hope to encourage other students by sharing my story and showing that progress does not have to be perfect to be meaningful. There have been times when I questioned whether I was moving forward fast enough, but I have learned that continuing to show up matters. Every assignment completed, every shift worked, every email sent, and every difficult conversation faced is part of the journey. I would also remind first-generation students to seek community and ask for help. Asking questions is not a sign of weakness; it is part of learning how to navigate spaces that were not always designed with us in mind. In the future, I want to use my education and career to create spaces where students and professionals feel seen and supported. Whether through Human Resources, mentorship, or storytelling, I want to remind other first-generation students that their experiences are not weaknesses. Their resilience, perspective, and ability to keep going are strengths. Higher education is not just about changing your own life; it is also about becoming an example for others who need proof that their goals are possible too.

Faith plays an important role in my life because it helps me keep perspective when life feels uncertain. For me, faith is not just about believing everything will happen exactly the way I want it to. It is about trusting that there is purpose in the process, even when I do not fully understand what is happening in the moment. Faith has taught me patience, humility, gratitude, and the importance of continuing to move forward even when the path is unclear. My faith has been especially important while balancing school, work, finances, and family responsibilities. As a first-generation college student and the child of immigrants, I have often felt the pressure of trying to figure things out while also honoring the sacrifices my family made for me. There is not always a clear roadmap when you are the first in your family to navigate certain academic and professional spaces. At times, that can feel intimidating, but faith reminds me that I am not walking alone. One of the most difficult experiences that strengthened my faith happened last year when my father suffered a stroke while I was there with him. It was one of those moments where life changed instantly. Seeing someone I looked up to become vulnerable made me realize how fragile life is and how quickly priorities can shift. In that moment, I felt fear, confusion, and responsibility all at once. As difficult as that experience was, it also deepened my gratitude and sense of purpose. It reminded me not to take time, family, or opportunity for granted. That experience changed the way I view my academic goals. College is no longer just something I am doing to earn a degree. It is part of a larger purpose. I am studying Human Resource Development because I care deeply about people, growth, communication, and creating environments where others feel supported. My faith pushes me to see education as a tool, not only for personal success, but also for service. I want to use what I learn to help people feel valued and understood, especially in workplaces and communities where people may be carrying silent struggles. Working as an Uber and Lyft driver in Chicago has also shaped my sense of purpose. Every day, I meet people from different backgrounds, cultures, careers, and life experiences. Some conversations are simple and lighthearted, while others are surprisingly deep. I have had passengers share stories about grief, family, career changes, dreams, regrets, and new beginnings. Those moments have shown me how much people need connection. They have also reminded me that faith is not only practiced privately, but also through how we treat others. Listening with patience, showing kindness, and making someone feel seen can be small acts of faith in action. My family has also pushed me to pursue higher education. Watching my parents work hard and sacrifice for stability taught me resilience before I fully had the words for it. They may not have always been able to guide me through every college process, but their example taught me discipline, perseverance, and the importance of creating a better future. Their sacrifices motivate me to keep going, especially during seasons when school and life feel heavy. In addition to my family, my own life experiences have pushed me forward. Basketball taught me discipline, teamwork, and how to keep improving after setbacks. Driving rideshare taught me empathy and communication. Writing has taught me reflection and the power of storytelling. I am currently working on a book inspired by the conversations and lessons I have experienced while driving throughout Chicago. That project connects closely to my faith because it is rooted in the belief that people’s stories matter and that there is meaning in everyday interactions. Ultimately, faith gives me the strength to keep showing up. It reminds me that even difficult seasons can shape something meaningful. My family, education, work, and personal challenges have all pushed me to pursue higher education with purpose. I am not just trying to earn a degree; I am trying to build a life that honors my family’s sacrifices, reflects my faith, and allows me to positively impact the people around me.

One of the most challenging moments in my life happened last year when my dad suffered a stroke while I was there with him. It is difficult to fully describe what that moment felt like. One second everything felt normal, and the next everything changed completely. Seeing someone you look up to suddenly become vulnerable forces you to grow up very quickly. In that moment, fear, uncertainty, and responsibility all hit at once. As the child of immigrants and a first-generation college student, I already understood sacrifice from watching my family work hard to create opportunities for me. My parents always carried responsibilities quietly, often putting stability and family before themselves. Because of that, I grew up feeling a strong sense of responsibility to succeed not only for myself, but for the people who sacrificed so much to help me reach opportunities they never had themselves. When my father had his stroke, that sense of responsibility became very real. I remember the panic and confusion of the moment, but what stayed with me most afterward was the emotional weight that followed. Life suddenly felt fragile in a way I had never fully understood before. While trying to process everything emotionally, I still had to continue balancing school, work, bills, and everyday responsibilities. There was no pause button for life. At the time, I was working as an Uber and Lyft driver while pursuing my degree in Human Resource Development. I often drove long hours trying to maintain financial stability while staying committed to school. There were nights after my father’s stroke when I would be driving through Chicago mentally exhausted, questioning whether I was truly making progress or simply trying to survive adulthood all at once. I would look around and see classmates who seemed fully focused on school while I was carrying responsibilities that extended far beyond the classroom. What made that period especially difficult was feeling like I had to remain strong for everyone around me. I did not always know how to express fear or uncertainty openly because I felt pressure to keep moving forward no matter what. Looking back now, I realize that period taught me a deeper understanding of resilience. Resilience is not pretending everything is fine. It is continuing to show up for your family, your goals, and yourself even when life feels uncertain and overwhelming. Oddly enough, working as a rideshare driver during that time also shaped my perspective in unexpected ways. Every day I met people from completely different backgrounds carrying struggles I never would have known about otherwise. Some passengers spoke about grief, career setbacks, family issues, or rebuilding their lives after difficult circumstances. Those conversations reminded me that hardship is something almost everyone experiences silently at some point. They taught me empathy, patience, and the importance of simply listening to people without judgment. That experience with my father changed the way I approach my future. Before, I often viewed success primarily through achievement and stability. Now, I think much more about purpose, connection, and the kind of impact I want to leave on others. It strengthened my desire to pursue Human Resource Development because I want to help create environments where people feel valued, supported, and understood. I know what it feels like to carry pressure silently, and I want to become someone who helps others navigate challenges both professionally and personally. Most importantly, my father’s stroke taught me not to take time, family, or opportunity for granted. It taught me that life can change unexpectedly, but it also showed me the strength people are capable of finding during difficult moments. That experience shaped me into someone who approaches the future with greater empathy, gratitude, and determination to create a meaningful life both for myself and for the people around me.

To me, going to college means far more than earning a degree. It represents growth, sacrifice, discipline, and the opportunity to build a life rooted in purpose. College has challenged me academically, financially, and personally, but it has also helped me better understand who I am and the kind of impact I want to make on others. I currently study Human Resource Development while working as an Uber and Lyft driver in Chicago. Balancing school with work has not always been easy, but it has taught me resilience and time management in a very real way. Driving has also given me an unexpected education outside the classroom. Every day I meet people from different backgrounds, cultures, careers, and life experiences. Those conversations constantly remind me how important empathy, communication, and human connection truly are. That is one of the reasons I chose Human Resource Development as my field of study. I want to help create environments where people feel valued, supported, and able to grow into the best versions of themselves. I’ve realized that strong organizations are built on strong relationships, and I want to be someone who contributes to that both professionally and personally. College also represents something deeper to me: possibility. It is proof that I did not allow setbacks, uncertainty, or financial challenges to stop me from continuing forward. There were moments where balancing responsibilities felt overwhelming, but each challenge strengthened my perspective and work ethic. Earning my degree is not only about creating stability for myself, but also about honoring the sacrifices that helped me get here and setting an example for others around me. Beyond my career goals, I am also trying to accomplish something meaningful through storytelling and connection. As a rideshare driver, I have heard hundreds of stories from strangers during some of the most honest moments of their lives. Those experiences inspired me to begin writing a book centered around the conversations, perspectives, and lessons I’ve encountered throughout Chicago. Through both my career and my writing, I hope to help people feel understood and connected. What I am ultimately trying to accomplish is a life that combines success with purpose. I want to continue growing into someone who can lead with empathy, communicate effectively, and positively impact the people around me. College is helping give me the tools, knowledge, and confidence to do that. More than anything, earning my degree symbolizes perseverance. It represents choosing growth even when the path is difficult and believing that where you start does not have to define where you end up.