It took two visits to the emergency room, medical appointments with a cardiologist, a neurologist, and an obstetrician, before I finally realized that anxiety was at the root of my health issues. At twenty-five years old I was battling anxiety for the first time. I couldn’t understand what was troubling me so deeply that it was now impacting my physical health. One day, I was discussing my career with my parents, and I went into a full-blown anxiety attack. After that day, I realized every time I talked about work my chest got tight and I got apprehensive. The company I work for has been in business for decades, and I am very successful in my position. I never thought that I would be worried about losing my job. When the pandemic became a long-term reality, I was vividly aware of what that meant for my employer, as I prepare all of our financial statements. The sense of security that my job once provided was gone. For the first time, it felt like my future was uncertain. I thought about what my dream profession would be. For years I have known that my current career is not my dream career; however, I stayed in that role to focus more on my family. My thoughts were always the same. If I could start over and pick my dream career, I would be a lawyer; however, I did not think that was a viable option for me at that point in my life. After months of that monologue in my head, I decided to do more research about law school. I continued to wrestle with the idea of making such a drastic life change. It became clear to me that enrolling in law school and becoming a lawyer was still a possibility. I want to use my experience to encourage others who are dealing with mental illness, specifically anxiety, that they too can follow their dreams.

There is nothing more bold than becoming a first-time mother. In July 2017, I gave birth to my first child. Not only is that bold in the moment, but it forced me to be bold for the rest of my life.

It took two visits to the emergency room, medical appointments with a cardiologist, a neurologist, and an obstetrician, before I finally realized that anxiety was at the root of my health issues. At twenty-five years old I was battling anxiety for the first time. I couldn’t understand what was troubling me so deeply that it was now impacting my physical health. One day, I was discussing my career with my parents, and I went into a full-blown anxiety attack. After that day, I realized every time I talked about work my chest got tight and I got apprehensive. The company I work for has been in business for decades, and I am very successful in my position. I never thought that I would be worried about losing my job. When the pandemic became a long-term reality, I was vividly aware of what that meant for my employer, as I prepare all of our financial statements. The sense of security that my job once provided was gone. For the first time, it felt like my future was uncertain. I thought about what my dream profession would be. For years I have known that my current career is not my dream career; however, I stayed in that role to focus more on my family. My thoughts were always the same. If I could start over and pick my dream career, I would be a lawyer; however, I did not think that was a viable option for me at that point in my life. After months of that monologue in my head, I decided to do more research about law school. I continued to wrestle with the idea of making such a drastic life change. It became clear to me that enrolling in law school and becoming a lawyer was still a possibility. The ten-year-old girl that wanted to be the next Jack McCoy , the nineteen-year-old undergraduate who abandoned the pursuit of law school to marry her high school sweetheart, the mother of two children who thought her education was complete, is now twenty-six and pursuing her dream. The tears stream down my face as I write this personal statement because although my dream career will not follow a traditional path, I know that it is coming at exactly the right time. Through working in a corporate setting, I am exposed to the work of our corporate attorneys. I look forward to the day when I can review contracts for businesses, ensure they are securing the best financial terms, negotiate the sale of a business, and the like. I want to help business owners navigate the complex legal aspects of owning their business and aid in their success. To me, legacy means leaving something valuable behind for people to remember you by. To leave a legacy means to leave a piece of you that others can hold on to. There are a variety of valuable legacies: a career legacy, a personality legacy, a financial legacy, a leadership legacy, etc. The legacy I wish to leave behind is to be persistent in your dreams. A legacy that inspires other young women to reach for their dreams. As a first-generation college graduate now attending law school, I want others to see that anything is possible if you remain focused on your dreams.

It took two visits to the emergency room, medical appointments with a cardiologist, a neurologist, and an obstetrician, before I finally realized that anxiety was at the root of my health issues. At twenty-five years old I was battling anxiety for the first time. I couldn’t understand what was troubling me so deeply that it was now impacting my physical health. One day, I was discussing my career with my parents, and I went into a full-blown anxiety attack. After that day, I realized every time I talked about work my chest got tight and I got apprehensive. The company I work for has been in business for decades, and I am very successful in my position. I never thought that I would be worried about losing my job. When the pandemic became a long-term reality, I was vividly aware of what that meant for my employer, as I prepare all of our financial statements. The sense of security that my job once provided was gone. For the first time, it felt like my future was uncertain. I thought about what my dream profession would be. For years I have known that my current career is not my dream career; however, I stayed in that role to focus more on my family. My thoughts were always the same. If I could start over and pick my dream career, I would be a lawyer; however, I did not think that was a viable option for me at that point in my life. After months of that monologue in my head, I decided to do more research about law school. I continued to wrestle with the idea of making such a drastic life change. It became clear to me that enrolling in law school and becoming a lawyer was still a possibility. The ten-year-old girl that wanted to be the next Jack McCoy , the nineteen-year-old undergraduate who abandoned the pursuit of law school to marry her high school sweetheart, the mother of two children who thought her education was complete, is now twenty-six and pursuing her dream. The tears stream down my face as I write this personal statement because although my dream career will not follow a traditional path, I know that it is coming at exactly the right time. Through working in a corporate setting, I am exposed to the work of our corporate attorneys. I look forward to the day when I can review contracts for businesses, ensure they are securing the best financial terms, negotiate the sale of a business, and the like. I want to help business owners navigate the complex legal aspects of owning their business and aid in their success. I hope to eventually open my own business law firm in my local community. Now, months after the beginning of the pandemic, I am fortunate that I was able to retain my position as Accounting Manager at Sea Watch. I am grateful that the pandemic did not force me to change careers, but instead, presented me with the opportunity to explore how to make my dream a reality. I am hopeful that I will continue in my current position at Sea Watch while attending law school part-time. This will allow me to be a wife, a mother, and pursue my dream career simultaneously. While I know this will not be an easy venture, I am very fortunate to have an amazing support system, and I am excited to show my children why they should never give up on their dreams.

My entrepreneurial vision will not only allow me to pursue my dream, but will also allow others to be successful in their entrepreneurship. As a student of business law, I aspire to open my own law firm that assists other business owners navigate the complex legal aspects of owning a business. My interest in entrepreneurship began as an undergraduate at Towson University, where I received a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. I furthered that study at Salisbury University where I received a Master of Business Administration degree. For the past five-and-a-half years, I have worked in Accounting at a private, family-owned manufacturing company. Working at this company, I have seen first-hand what successful entrepreneurship can do for the owners, as well as, the positive impact on society. The company I work for has provided food for thousands of Americans, and provided income for over 500 employees. In my opinion, all entrepreneurship contributes to the betterment of society. For us to buy groceries, someone had to start a grocery store business. For us to buy gas, someone had to open a gas station. For us to enjoy fast food, someone had to open a McDonald's, Chick Fil A, Dunkin Donuts, etc. For us to buy a cell phone, someone had to open a cellular store. For every product or service that we purchase, we are reaping the reward of someone else's entrepreneurship. While entrepreneurship is necessary for the betterment of society, it is risky for many reasons. Some entrepreneurs empty their life savings into a business that fails. Some businesses sign a contract, credit agreement, or employment agreement that they do not fully understand. As a business lawyer, I hope to assist other entrepreneurs avoid these common pitfalls and be successful. At the company I currently work for, our corporate attorney reviews all essential documents which has allowed the company to grow successfully. My decision to pursue my dream career was risky in itself. As a wife, mother, and full-time employee, it was incredibly difficult to decide to further my education. Not only will it take away time from my family, but it will also create a large financial obligation. I would argue that my decision to attend law school is equally as risky as opening some businesses. Ultimately, I decided to pursue my dream career as a business attorney. I am incredibly excited to begin this journey, which will ultimately lead to entrepreneurship.