Success in marketing requires creativity, strategy, and the ability to anticipate challenges. My career goal is to become a marketing professional who develops campaigns that connect products and ideas with the right audiences. I want to help organizations tell their stories in ways that inspire action, build loyalty, and create lasting impact. To achieve this, I must cultivate skills in analysis, communication, and problem‑solving. Interestingly, one of the activities that has shaped my thinking in these areas is playing chess. Chess is more than a game; it is a discipline that teaches patience, foresight, and adaptability. One lesson in particular stands out: strategic thinking. Every move in chess has consequences, and success depends on seeing beyond the immediate moment to anticipate future outcomes. This mirrors the world of marketing, where professionals must look past short‑term gains and consider how campaigns will influence brand reputation, customer relationships, and market trends over time. Just as a chess player studies the board to predict an opponent’s strategy, a marketer studies consumer behavior to anticipate needs and preferences. Strategic thinking in chess also involves weighing risks and rewards. A player may sacrifice a piece to gain a stronger position later in the game. Similarly, marketers sometimes invest in bold campaigns or innovative approaches that may not yield instant results but build long‑term value. Chess has taught me to evaluate options carefully, consider multiple perspectives, and make decisions that balance immediate impact with future potential. This mindset will help me design marketing strategies that are both creative and sustainable. Another connection between chess and marketing is the importance of adaptability. No matter how carefully a player plans, opponents can surprise them with unexpected moves. The ability to adjust quickly is essential. In marketing, conditions change constantly such as consumer preferences shift, competitors launch new products, and technology evolves. Chess has trained me to remain calm under pressure, reassess situations, and adapt strategies without losing sight of the overall goal. This resilience will be invaluable in a career where flexibility often determines success. Chess also emphasizes patience and discipline. Winning requires focus and the willingness to think several steps ahead rather than rushing into impulsive moves. Marketing campaigns demand the same patience. Research, planning, and execution take time, and results often unfold gradually. By practicing patience in chess, I have learned to value the process as much as the outcome. This perspective will help me stay committed to long‑term goals in marketing, even when progress feels slow. Finally, chess fosters confidence in decision‑making. Once a move is made, there is no turning back. This teaches responsibility and trust in one’s judgment. In marketing, professionals must make choices about messaging, timing, and audience targeting, often with incomplete information. Chess has taught me to analyze carefully, decide firmly, and accept responsibility for outcomes. This confidence will strengthen my ability to lead projects and inspire trust in colleagues and clients. In conclusion, my career goal is to excel in marketing by creating strategies that connect ideas with people in meaningful ways. Chess has prepared me for this journey by teaching strategic thinking, adaptability, patience, and confidence. These lessons extend beyond the board and into the professional world, equipping me with the mindset needed to succeed. Just as each chess move contributes to the larger game, each decision in marketing contributes to building a brand’s story. With the skills I have learned from chess, I am ready to approach my career with clarity, resilience, and purpose.

Treston Britt Scholarship Essay 25 June 2026 I see college is a mountain I need to scale to reach the beautiful valley on the other side. Being the first to do so is also a significant accomplishment. I have faced multiple obstacles along the way in my journey to a better life that have attempted to destroy my spirit. I went to prison twice, and being away from your children is the hardest part. Furthermore, I was in and out of juvenile institutions when I was younger. I never finished high school, so I completed my GED in 2018 and finally decided, in 2025, to go back to school. This was extremely difficult for me, having to get back into the flow of school after being out of it for so many years, but I’m the type of person who usually adapts and gets used to things very quickly. The next obstacle was a serious accident on an electric scooter when a school bus ran me off the road, which consequently caused me to go out of work for over five months. I suffered multiple injuries, including a broken wrist, damage to my spine, and a TBI (traumatic brain injury). This happened on December 12 of 2025, a month or so before the spring 2026 semester started. Although this accident shook me to my core, I buckled up, strapped down my boots, and gave it my 110%. Hence, I currently have a 3.385 GPA and near-perfect attendance, demonstrating that I have tremendous determination, limitless dedication, and solid discipline. By keeping these three core values, I feel that I’ll be able to advance through life, no matter what it throws at me, turning obstacles into lessons that strengthen my weaknesses. My goal is to finish my Associate of Arts and transfer to USF for my Bachelor’s. When I complete this venture, I will proceed to work at a job in my field of study until I finish my barber schooling, so I may one day open my own barbershop. By integrating my business knowledge and my haircutting skills, I can have a stable income through running the barbershop. I also want to start a property management company that is owned by a trust, so I may build assets through my property sales and rentals. All these together will give me the residual income. I need to build generational wealth. The one thing that drives me to succeed in life is my family and wanting them to have the best things in life. I want my son to grow up having the things he wants and needs and seeing his father happy and successful. I want to be an exemplary role model not just to myself, but to other children and adults around my community.