Mental health has impacted all aspects of my life, including my personal and professional life. Illness will have one laying in bed for days or even refusing to perform basic functions, such as cleaning a room or brushing teeth. A mental illness that I have struggled with is anxiety and avoidant personality disorder, usually, those that have a form of anxiety suffer with connecting with others. The fear of rejection or intimacy, makes the person flee and lives disconnected from others. Anxiety can be overwhelming, and usually includes anxiety attacks or even panic attacks for others. The illness is not purely psychological, it also involves physical changes such as sweaty palms and tense jaw/joints. The challenges are enough to interfere with daily life and cause distress. Throughout my childhood, I had issues with anxiety and submitting papers for grading. An impending fear of failure tormented me and I was afraid of others outperforming me, due to the expectations that others had of me. I continued to have generalized anxiety disorder and would be frightened about tasks that others considered normal, such as driving and even in my relationships. I firmly believed that everyone was living with constant anxiety and the fears would immobilize them to the extremity of not being able to drive or isolating themselves from others due to fear of judgment. During COVID, I suffered multiple panic attacks, which would occur daily without any triggers. I was not able to work productively and I isolated myself to prevent the impending doom, which most do when they experience Agoraphobia. For two years, I was working and studied from home and did not leave my room. I was partaking in multiple hobbies and trying to distract myself from the painful intrusive thoughts. I am quite surprised that I was able to continue to be "productive" with my studies and work, although, I do admit that I would not perform up to par. Mental illness took away from me many things, such as the time and friendships missed due to isolation and fear of closeness. In my relationships, I was distant and incapable of being vulnerable, which caused many to leave or discontinue our friendship. A close friend that I cherished, blocked me and exposed that my issues and lack of awareness were a dealbreaker and that he would no longer speak to me. I received a call three months ago from that number and tried to mend things but the message did not go through, I wonder if it was a pure accident. Although the last two years have been painful, I also experienced many wonderful things. I was able to overcome my fear of diving and drove to Edinburg from San Antonio, where I now live. I have been trying to make friends on Bumble BFF, but unfortunately no luck. I have attended events alone and been more spontaneous, which has made my life more meaningful.

Managing an occupation and studies can be extremely stressful - but with proper time management skills, we can navigate with more ease. Professors recommend that you spend around 1-2 hours daily for homework or research papers and during finals you are expected to study beforehand. Students manage part time and full time work with extra curricular - all while attending 5-6 classes on average. In order to manage all three things and maintain my GPA - I have practiced tips to have punctuality and time management. I recently joined a ceramics group and what has helped me is keeping a timer. I struggle with ADHD which has affected my time awareness and I tend to struggle with structure - when the timer is up and I have spent that hour reading or catching up with papers I move on to the next task. This helps me stay committed and to remain aware of the time. I also keep a to-do list that I place as a wallpaper - in which I could never forget about. I types down extremely important reminders and projects that need to be completed. This list could either be a digital or tangible copy that you make with a piece of paper. I am able to manage with applications that limit the time you spend on social media, such as Tik - Tok or Instagram. Limiting the time that I spend allows me to spend more time submitting work or reviewing the weekly material. Using the apps. allows me to practice self-control and to discontinue bad habits. The amount of work and the quality improves and you feel more confident in your abilities to manage life as a student. There are times in which I fall back to the patterns of disorganization and my days start off with my bed undone - but I try the next day to continue and understand that progress is not linear. For an essay I had 8 weeks to manage and write 10 pages about Thomas Jefferson. I started off by having a concrete plan and making sure that I calculated the weeks and amount of work necessary. The first week would be pure research and navigating to the Library, using resources and digital scholarly articles The second week I would brainstorm and write a couple drafts in which I would practice my writing and cite. I would also make sure that my personal obligations would not merge with my studies. By the 8th week I should be about done about Thomas Jefferson and with planning ahead I would not be struggling to submit the paper at the last minute.

I currently own a pug and his name is Johnny. Johnny was given to me and is incredibly smart - he is able to play with small toys and has a preference for small balls that he can place in his mouth. In total he has 20 small toys such as small worms and cuddly bears that are the size of a medium book. We occasionally take him to dog parks and he enjoys the swimming area, but enjoys socializing with other dogs the most. Something interesting about my pug is that he unfortunately suffers with allergies and depends on medication and vitamins to keep his immune in tact. Which leads my pug to scratch the areas of his stomach and ears - causing redness and injuries - what I have done recently was get some nail caps that protect him from the scratches. Johnny loves bologna and all kinds of treat that have sausage, usually his favorite snack is the Cheesy Bites. The role that my pug plays in my life is the emotional support and the friendship that we developed. Johnny is usually sleepy after playing with the toys, and enjoys sleeping or taking naps through the day - making him the perfect sleeping buddy. He appears to prefer venturing out by himself or having his own bed, but I enjoy having laying with him when I am tired from work or school. Pugs make great travel buddies and I have been able to develop with a friendship that extends into daily activities - rarely do I keep my pug lonely for longer than 4 hours and tend to include my dog in every activity that I do - unless pets are not allowed. Pets scientifically produce endorphins and oxytocin, which help with the regulation of the mind and mental health. There has been instances in which I feel depressed - and Johnny is able to distract me or make me feel a little better. Having Johnny has also developed my empathetic and nurturing aspects in other sectors in my life. It has helped me become less self-absorbed and to focus on the relationships that I have with relatives. Those around him, love him very much and bring him to special events or holiday's brings the family together. Changing the pug clothing, has also allowed me to become more creative and to express how I feel trough different selections strictly for my pug. I have also practiced my patience and developed healthier boundaries with others.

Over the last year, I have re-evaluated circumstances and decisions in my life - all from personal and academic. It is evident that one mistake that I was making included sheltering myself and indecision followed by fear. I seldom left my room and I was not engaging with the outside - I made the radical change to move another city that was located near the border. The city was a lot smaller with a population of roughly 45,000 people (do keep in mind that I come from the 7th largest city in the US). My employment was in jeopardy due to WFH regulations - and how they interfered with my housing. Unfortunately as I began settling in my dorm, we quickly realized that the plugs were not functioning a technician would be required to make the fixes - which obstructed projects that were pending with the company and ultimately lead to my resignation. This is important due to my fear of uncertainty and need for stability. These are events that cause normal anxiety for others, but usually they are debilitating for me. To risk my job and my comfort, for the chance of a better education with a better price, was the most fearless and risk-taking decision - I have ever had to make. I made this decision with no back-up plan, only savings and a dream. A dream to finish my degree and become a social worker. There are times - like today - in which I feel depleted and unsure of the future, I also worry about my finances and how I will find a job here in Edinburg. Employers have been assigning me phone interviews and test, but no further consideration. In fact, just two weeks ago I had a work interview, in which I walked three dogs and it appeared to go well, only to be ghosted. What has changed is that I don't take my losses personally. I take every chance I can, without fear of rejection or lack of experience. Similarly, when I saw this application I imitated, regardless if 3300 others students apply. I don't overthink decisions and instead I'm more proactive when opportunities arise. Measuring your options is not inherently bad, but they can paralyze those who suffer with lack of trust or confidence. What I have learned during my journey of self-discovery is that I am not boxed - I overcame fear. The fear of self expression, the fear of change, the fear of making friends and the fear of uncertainty. Just a week ago, I went to a nearby Goodwill and bought clothes that I felt were of my personal taste after never developing an identity. Now that my classes are not all online, I get to discuss with other interesting students and meet new individuals - when previously I would sit in the corner or lock myself in a room.

Yamilex. The name according to forums derives from Arabic roots, meaning "beautiful" and is given to a girl. To me it symbolizes the benefaction of an uncle in Mexico. Before I was born, he had a girlfriend that was named Yamilex, and he provided the suggestion. Later after my parents migrated to the United States and after many years, we received the horrific news that he departed. What it means to me - is the gift that my uncle deeply loved me and that no matter the passage he would wish me well. Unfortunately, he didn't watch me grow from the toddler that I was, but I know he would be proud of me for attending college and pursuing the dreams that I am privileged to have. It's important due to the upbringing that my relatives provided, they cherished me deeply and would read with me at nights, in order to prepare my vocabulary and to excel in school. I later made adjustments in which I was not able to visit relatives or be near the border, even now that I live in Edinburg and visit Rio Grande, TX occasionally I can't decipher or recognize faces. All that I do know, is that they were my caregivers due to my mom working overtime or not being available. A child's development is crucial for personal identity and self-esteem, which they were present and made sure my necessities were met. As I grow older - I have been able to meet more individuals from the past and have been able to reconnect with origins from my childhood. It's important to share what your name means to you because they are tied to history or to culture that are sacred to every individual, it also allows to connect with others with similar names. Through my life, I have met at least six people my unique name. Usually, the similar names end in the letter "t" instead of the "x." It is our identity, and most colleagues or friends will refer to us by this name. Even scientist have conducted research about the ability of a name to influence our professions and the likeness of other groups. The power of a name is the individuality. With a name we can gather ideas and stories about a candidate or student. When conversations arise a flood of memories or opinions will leave the lips of those that in separate rooms or the dinner table. "Yamilex?" Was she a devoted student or was she rude to the service staff, the association of names and character is powerful. - Yamilex

As I pursue my education in the social sciences, I am committed to understanding issues that threaten communities and forms of treatment for populations. The social sciences include an umbrella of services that provide education and community-based services ranging from law to health. I want to specialize in social work and address the environmental threats and the mental health epidemic that was exacerbated during the lockdown. It is estimated that the services in demand for case management and social workers will increase within the next years at a faster pace in comparison to other occupations, with an estimated percentage of 13%. It is important that in social services I provide resources and knowledge to those who need rehabilitation or become displaced by natural or manmade events. With climate change threatening the livelihood of millions of individuals, it is projected that many will lose their homes and migrate to areas where they can sustain themselves. California has been experiencing record-breaking heat this summer and has relocated the majority of Orange County - as a social worker I would advocate for affordable housing and the macro efforts of political efforts. Social workers advocate for populations and their interests - such as having clean air and reducing carbon emissions, while also informing the community about the importance of public housing as they house the majority of elders and the disabled. Over time the budget for public housing has decreased immensely and the effects of gentrification have also affected those on fixed incomes, with estimates of the homeless growing by 3 times by 2030. Fortunately, social workers influence politics through business and stakeholder relationships, they are also trained to build groups that educate the general public about issues. In addition, I have also witnessed evictions for those that struggle with substance issues or as some would refer to them "distribution hubs." The neighbors are in somber conditions and do not receive the assistance that they need, and in most instances, they are criminalized and have nowhere to go. If I were to work in social services I would work directly on a micro level with individuals that struggle with addiction disorders and need proper psychiatrist referrals where they can have a harm reduction plan and provide the dosage that is appropriate with diagnosis included. I understand that having a diagnosis and therapy is a privilege in this county, if we can properly diagnose and address underlying issues we can assist the individual instead of proscribing the act. In conclusion, two precise solutions that I would contribute to the social services are the advocacy for housing for all with that also includes the representation of issues that threaten housing, such as climate change and gentrification. In addition, the interference of the services for those who struggle with mental disorders and substance issues. - Yamilex Vela

Having the ability to assist my community from vulnerable populations to macro policy changes, where I can find meaningful work in Social Work. Finding my purpose through volunteer services and providing knowledge to my clients, with great referrals and group building. Two populations that I would specialize services for are the homeless and mentally ill - all while being a broker and facilitator. - Yamilex Vela

During the pandemic, approximately 28% of students topped out due to financial trouble. I’d like to have more affordable tuition and access to education for all. It is unfortunate that the institutions are mostly for-profit and continue to increase tuition with yearly inflation of 8%. Ideally, FAFSA would assist low-income individuals but it does not cover all costs, and students have to accrue insane debt. Meanwhile, the “reparations” that minorities and POC get are scholarships that we have to compete for and constantly write about, which include traumatic events. Education should be accessible for all and should be at a reasonable cost. Community colleges have been the greatest aid for those that seek to have an education at a low price, and universities should make it even easier to transfer over credits. There have been instances in which I check online manuals online for the school that is updated and the advisor states that they have to be completed again. In addition, if we could train counselors to stop discouraging students from attending community college that would make the world a better place. Instead of focusing on the student's financial circumstances, they care about the school's reputation. The stigma around affordable courses drives many to attend expensive campuses, meanwhile, financial literacy is limited. These obstacles intervene with low-income individuals that have spent on classes and out-of-pocket expenses. If we want to address the shortage of “skilled” workers from doctors to teachers perhaps we should invest in a reformation of education and pay themdequately. College for many is the opportunity to escape poverty and mobilize economically and should be available to students. Having affordable education would produce lower crime rates and more fulfilled citizens. Preferrably if it was free - it would reduce inequalities and different demographics could benefit. Allowing idividuals to have access to education will also benefit society - we would elect better politicians and unemployment rates would lower. Although we have two subsidized loans that help lower the cost we need more intervention. It is unfortunate that when education is more accessible through federal regulation the tuition increases - insitutions should not be able to profiteer. In conclusion, aspiring students shoud be able to study for free or reasonable prices. Financial uncertainty contribites to students discontinuing their education, although FAFSA works to merge that gap many students struggle to make their monthly paymets due to federal aid decreasing while tuiton increasing due to intervention. As a recipient of FAFSA my sophomore payments were discontinued abruptly (while maintaining satisfactory GPA) and had to drop, it was a difficult decision and I can't fathom that others have to do the same. The days in which students desperately seek for scholarships and get two jobs while studying should be over as we reform our education system.

Attending college as a first-generation student has included perplexing financial decisions and program navigation. At this moment, I have been in the process of transferring to a larger institution to pursue my dreams of Social Work. I plan to obtain my Bachelor’s as a case manager specializing in mental health and substance abuse. The community is in dire need of caseworkers as minorities are experiencing poverty and health issues. When trying to restore physical exhaustion and pain, it can be easy to become addicted to prescribed opioids. Having a broker and educator to facilitate the enrollment in a program will assist the vulnerable, and with a follow up we can decrease the risk of relapse. The social worker is responsible for providing referrals and making sure to support on a micro and macro level - I plan to advocate for individuals through direct contact and for programs. At this point, the obstacles that do stand are related to income - as many students experience. To attend the fall semester at the larger institution, payment deadlines and savings must be a priority. Saving on avocado toast and making sure that my debt is relatively low to continue to seek financial assistance while maintaining a high GPA is non-negotiable. In fact, I did have to take a break in the past due to economic factors. I was under he impression that FAFSA was going to assist during the second semester - abruptly, they discontinued payments even afte having academic satisfaction. It was difficult to discontinue my education due to financial problems and unexpected challenges. As I am approaching the orientation date for the new campus - I understand that the tuitio will be costly and the classes more intensive. To overcome the obstacle I have sent various applications for internships and scholarship opportunities. Finding opportunities to network and ensure my skills are sharpened while exposing myself to rejection. I am saving from my occupation and making sure to keep a portion biweekly, also having the latest notifications of any opportunities for local essay contests. I also plan on taking advantage of any meal plans that the university offers - in order to save during the recession. I also made sure to take most classes online in order to save money in regards to gas expenses and housing fees. Making sure that I am having a budget and making attempts to merit-based scholarships are effective solutions for my current financial obstacle.

After reading the statistic that education fell nearly 29% during the pandemic, I find it unfortunate that the education system is out of reach for aspiring students. Pursuing an education is a privilege and as a student, education has provided information that has made me aware of the world around me. Through the academic years, educators have introduced me to history, geography or science, and health. Learning about history has adapted my view on the issues that we have today, and how they tend to replicate. During the 1900's when the Texas Rangers had lynch laws against the Mexican Americans and had the Porvenir Massacre. During this time many Mexican Americans have been stripped away from their property near the border and looking at gentrification today and how it habitually affects minorities, makes me aware of how historic discrimination continues to affect us today. Similar issues such as wealth inequality can also be traced back to historic events such as racial segregation and gender inequality. Learning about the historical background of my country was vital for understanding current circumstances, and has made me probable to become politically involved. My professors have educated me about important geographies - such as human interference and the changes on Earth. I have been reviewing that where I am located, we reside under the Artesian Zone which is where the well and water pressure build to access the aquifer. Learning the importance of the Zones and how to protect our environment whether it is by preventing oil leakage or preserving water is critical, especially during drought seasons. The educator briefly explained the development and purchase of the resorts in New Braunfels, students now understand that spring waters also need to be protected from development/urban planning. Through this course, I've learned much about the world that I reside in, during an extra project I learn about the Coast Range which happens to be the largest Batholith granite landmass. Through that research, I found that the human involvement in water extraction has caused the faults to become more active and that earthquakes that could potentially kill 2,000 individuals residing near the vault are long overdue. With the assistance of college professors this summer semester and self-education, I can learn about the spheres and nature that surround me. How my actions affect the environment around me. One important piece of education that gets overlooked is the health curriculum. During my journey in high school, we were educated about our mental and physical health. Whether that be to encourage a healthy diet or meditate and have healthy habits, that has been constructive to students even after leaving high school. Recently, I have been struggling with my mental health and remaining active, which has been detrimental to my personal life. Educating students about health can help immensely with maintaining positive social relationships, having a healthy sleeping schedule, and having great health; which in return makes us happier, and more productive and decreases the chances of issues. I certainly appreciate the long walks during the Gym education class in which I would speak to my classmates now that I have been extremely isolated due to COVID and understand the importance of a routine. In conclusion, education has improved my life and worldview by being able to interact with history, geography, and various subjects, make connections with recent events and make adjustments in my personal life. Similarly, discussions such as climate change/geographical changes and my health encourage me to become a better person to myself and the environment around me.

A favorite piece includes “The Night Cafe” an oil painting by Van Gogh, which is now displayed at Yale University. Van Gogh remains a remarkable artist that was able to demonstrate his mental unrest and emotional turmoil through impasto and thick paintings. Artist Van Gogh used purple and green colors to represent a dreary room, the contrast of colors red and blue symbolize loneliness and feelings of emptiness. The techniques that Van Gogh implemented such as the circular lines around the lamps were also notable in his later work, "The Starry Night." The panting included a social event (bar) that would typically involve the transaction of conversations and a pool where one can have tremendous entertainment, into members that were isolated while sipping on textured bottles. It remains fascinating to me due to Van Gogh's personal life and how the painting provokes unease in the viewer. Individuals that have suffered from mental illness (artist community) can relate to the painting and with Van Gogh in general in terms of creating despite the pain and can get a glimpse of what the artist felt before his death. Unfortunately, he suffered from mental anguish, and during his artistic endeavors, he produced approximately 900 paintings. This painting, in particular, has a watercolor replica and was frankly similar to "Cafe Terrance at Night" which was also painted in 1888. In later writings about the painting, Van Gogh stated that the painting was, "to express the idea that a cafe is a place where one can ruin oneself, run mad, or commit a crime."

Obtaining an education in higher education can assist with class mobility and serves to educate us further. Inevitably it is also a privilege to attend a university and there are some barriers, logically I would take into account my peer's endeavors and financial circumstances. Community colleges around my area have a great staff and opportunities for students for a relatively low price. The advisors are ready to set up a plan according to your major and transfer credits. I would inform my peer that there are work-study opportunities if they qualify for financial aid, as well as unpaid/paid internships. With reassurance - I would clarify that the classes are flexible and offer self-paced options for those that have work. Institutions also have part-time and full-time schedules, you can finish your degree at your own pace. After educating my peer, I assess whether a degree is mandatory for the sector that they choose to study. For example, many studios hiring for creative and applied arts prefer a portfolio, meaning that they can inside focus on the skill necessary instead of incurring unnecessary debt. After all, I am simply offering advice not forcing a peer to take out loans with high-interest rates. However, if the field of study is STEM-related or one that requires a higher institution, I will encourage my peer to apply for scholarships, and that financial aid could cover the cost. The experience and the degree will benefit my peer and overtime be an investment with larger work opportunities. In addition, I would inform to remain vigilant with emails due to scholarships and extended programs being offered during the summer. This year, many students at the Alamo Colleges took advantage of the "Extended Summer Plan" which covered 6 to 9 credits depending on whether you were a full-time or part-time student. I would persuade by the benefits of attending a university, such as the network opportunities with future employers and the learning experience. When acquiring a degree, you have access to libraries and social groups/organizations centered around interest and experience. You also get discounts for Amazon and other vendors, which are very useful when you are a younger adult trying to figure everything out and poor. In conclusion, I would notify my peer that a university can provide opportunities and allow individuals to explore their purpose, while simultaneously meeting groups that share a common goal. Future educators, scientists, and engineers are enrolled, finding a calling begins when you apply. However, if they refuse after several attempts, I would also have boundaries and try to support my peer.

Artistry entails many forms of expressions, whether that be performative or fine realistic paintings. After experimenting with different mediums and partaking in projects such as sewing and music engineering, I’ve established a style and preference. The preference and hobby that I enjoy intensely is the digital art realm, in regards to animation. I started a year ago by downloading the free software Blender, this versatile software allows you to animate, video edit, and even do VFX art. I enjoy the tedious process and the constant progression my models have made. Initially, I started with the famous donut but ran into a couple of problems, such as the meshing and rigging. After some time overlooking forums and stack overflow, the artistic community assisted me and I was able to render the first project. The first project completed was a small home, during the lesson I was able to work with the cube (deleting) and begin extending the edges and learning shortcuts. Other functions that are used are the mirror modifier, which is responsible for allowing you to duplicate in the y-axis and you can even clip to continue contingency (assymetry). All basic functions were illustrated and taught with detail, I became enamored with the process of animation. In terms of my passion for the hobby, I’d enjoy some professional endeavors. Perhaps working for a small studio or game art for game developers, or even making a short animated film. I do also intend to venture into VFX eventually, which appears to have some of the composition as animations such as using nodes, and determining the light intensity.

Collectively we have internal and external motivators, according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Whether that be for safety reasons or self-actualization. As an artist, I find the need to create to be an immense motivator in my life. From being able to learn new skills from different art mediums to practicing my craft. A year ago, I initiated the journey of performing models and sculpting in Blender, (software used by animators and VFX artists.) I instantly ran across issues such as mesh and rigging errors, and after finding solutions I rendered the first project. At times the process is tedious and requires extensive outreach, whether that be referring to stack overflow or asking forums such as Reddit about the necessary steps when I run into an issue. Overall, the learning experience allows me to create better poly models and to readjust keyframes in a way that appears natural when considering kinetic energy and anatomy. During my challenges with mental health, performing in the arts and the ability to create became a form of therapy and a coping mechanism. When I felt disoriented or lonely, I immersed myself, and now admit that it became a substitution for a void and company. However, I can corroborate that my mental health has improved and art continues to motivate me, I strive to one day applied for a small animation studio in Austin or to work for myself as a freelancer. Animation has ameliorated my life immensely and motivates me to continue to seek talent and purpose in the medium, and my personal life.

During my childhood years, my parents and teachers have encouraged me to pursue higher education and defined what success was. In essence, for first-generation students: success is becoming an overachieving student, graduating from college, and finding an individualistic purpose; preferably if it could make a grandiose impact or overall good for humanity. I was prepared by always attending after-school activities and having teachers that motivated me continuously. When becoming involved in extra-curricular activities, grades needed to be up to par. In addition, tutoring services and additional teacher interference aid students in understating the material. As I am growing older, my interpretation of success is peace and tranquility. Having financial gain and purpose, even having a strong connection with family is essential. Capitalism has made it crucial for an individual to have monetary gain to enjoy leisure time and have all the needs met - including shelter and self-actualization. With this in mind, having some financial stability would be ideal in order to devote time for family and self-care, as well as having an stress-free life. Finding a career that I both love and can sustain basic needs - food, housing and shelter - is my personal definition with success. This would in return bring other forms of benefits such as access to mental health programs and the opportunity to explore outside 1604. In addition, having a sense of purpose is an indication of success, performing acts of kindness - whether one volunteers for a non-profit or decides to help a customer at the grocery store. Finding a field that you enjoy and in which can service others - personally, social work has allowed me to determine where the needs of the community are and how we can assist with facilitating and a broker to the vulnerable. Twenty years from now, I imagine myself making an impact and developing a non-profit. I plan to obtain my bachelor’s in the upcoming years and work as a case manager with the specialization of working in the department of rehabilitation and mental health. Furthermore, I have considered running in the future and hope to accomplish that by the time I turn thirty. Recently I have started to look into local campaigns to volunteer and get that experience, I believe that there should be more social work representation. A sector in social work similarly is the department of public policy which advocates and creates webinars, which focus strictly on the funding and the lobbying aspect of advocacy. Working on reforming programs and being an activist for issues such as climate change and mental health.

Statistics recognize that approximately 19.7 million American adults struggle with addiction; whether that be illicit drugs or alcohol. (AAC, 2022) With the start of the pandemic, the epidemic of substance abuse increased, and Fentanyl was laced in pills, killing many. It is evident that individuals deserve treatment and due to a matter of causation, mental illness would be addressed as well. Currently, I am a student, looking forward to transferring to OLLU and pursuing a degree in Social Work. The specialization that I find interest in is mental health and rehabilitation practice, as social workers, we would be responsible for assisting the client/community and advocating for programs that assist the vulnerable population. To be successful as a social worker, we must provide the client referrals with a psychiatrist and other professionals when adequate, as well as educate them about helpful initiatives. After acquiring my Bachelor’s degree, I will mostly be working with case management and becoming a facilitator or brokerage - the link to programs. Educating would be enforcing the budgeting for government programs - such as public housing and mental/substance abuse rehabilitation funds for the staff. In addition, educating the client about the products and encouraging a mental health evaluation (DSM) - which would identify the substance abuse issue. Having a proper evaluation and referring the client to a physician that can screen would alleviate the client - the physician would be able to provide clinical needs and provide a prescription of drugs necessary that are monitored and decrease the reoccurrence of abuse. After working with the client and determining the objectives of the patient, providing consultations is necessary and educating the community about the projection of developments or statistics in youth substance use. Educating the family members about the resources and the hospital/patient access is crucial, as well as communicating effectively and explaining the procedure to the client. After the evaluation and the client's assistance, the responsibility would be to terminate with the patient. In efforts to ethically terminate and avoid abandonment, the patient with a substance disorder would have to signal signs of improvement and demonstrate no indications of endangerment to themselves or others. Close to termination, there would be the exchange of contact services available and referral numbers if there were to be a crisis, or if additional interference was necessary. There would also be constant follow up with the client. On a “macro” advocacy level, promoting policy changes and hosting multiple webinars to educate the public about issues ongoing, would counter substance abuse. By engaging and educating on both the micro (client) and macro (lobbying/policy) we ensure that issues such as substance abuse continue to decrease.

At the commencement of my undergraduate degree, I decided to pursue a career in Criminal Justice and later be recruited into law enforcement. Internally I was uncertain if I wanted to continue my degree or enroll in the police academy, but unequivocally obtaining my degree was ideal. Like many students, after high school, you are trying to build a self-identity and search for your purpose, which was troublesome. I applied to internships and volunteer opportunities to establish a community and invest in different interests, some that I enjoyed were Habitat for Humanity. Helping others and gaining skills were fueling my purpose-seeking void and made me feel useful to society. Certainly, I would enjoy a career in which I could directly assist those in need and complete projects that would aid underserved communities. One day, our professor began to discuss the issues of recidivism and the problems with rehabilitation problems for prisoners, and I began to take an interest in Social Work. My confidence from the beginning of my undergrad studies to now, I can understand how my search for purpose and experiences have guided me to claim my major without a doubt. I have now placed my application to enroll in the private institution that is recognized in the state in the Department of Social Work. My recent submission is pending, but I am exhilarated to begin my semester as a transfer student. I plan to attend a four-year university and obtain my bachelor's in Social Work. During my junior and senior years, I am applying for opportunities and work that will have my work alongside social workers; whether that be volunteer work or clerical paperwork. As a social worker, my concentration would be case management and providing those that have mental health issues with the resources that are needed to rehabilitate. Working directly with those that have mental disorders and drug codependency, offering treatment and recovery options. After a couple of years, I may further my education and become a licensed social worker. In essence, a license would allow me to work in a hospital or provide therapy. As a mental health advocate, that has experienced firsthand OCD and anxiety, I would specialize in those undeveloped sections. When finding a therapist for OCD, it became extremely difficult and my therapist was only trained in anxiety and depression, even admitting that he had no experience with ERP treatment. As a social worker, I would use my experience and training to help minorities and those with mental disorders whether that be finding resources like therapy or housing, to even providing therapy for my clients.

As a first-generation Hispanic student, attending college has been a discovery on its own. Students in the nation must figure out how to properly submit FAFSA, and what loans to take to attend college, which can all be a daunting experience. On a personal level students face adversity differently due to circumstances and backgrounds, some including financial instability of the household and underfunding in the local budget - which affects test scores. In my personal life, it has been difficult to navigate through college with very limited knowledge of the expenses and how to properly fund my education with little to no debt. The administration in my previous high school, motivated all students to attend a four-year university, instead of considering the benefits of first attending a two-year college and transferring. Fortunately, I did attend Northwest Vista College where I attended for a year and a half - saving me a lot of money. During my sophomore year, I developed tendencies of indecisiveness and struggled with my mental health, I would struggle with declaring a major. Later I decided to move in with my boyfriend of two years, and it became a traumatic experience. I witnessed abuse and addiction from my partner, which ultimately lead to my biggest breakdown in which I had to contact a suicide hotline. It started with a panic attack that would last approximately thirty minutes and then lead to depression. Later - through the help of my therapist -I discovered that I indeed showed signs of OCD - which happens to be an extreme form of anxiety that has different themes and causes one to perform the compulsion. Receiving treatment is extremely difficult due to the lack of an OCD specialist, but after engaging with my fears and challenging myself every day - I began to recover and the anxiety has reduced immensely. To start recovering, a treatment that the therapist recommend is the ERP method - which encourages the individual to invite the thought and not perform the compulsion. This adversity has now made me the resilient person that I am today and I realize that I am not the thoughts that attempt to destroy me, they are subconscious and I am only in control of my actions. In addition, to make the best choices in regards to financial literacy and school payments, I have decided to educate myself further. During the winter break, I have applied for internships and scholarships, in which I anticipate an opportunity to further my education without the preoccupation of financial or experience troubles. I now understand the different loan benefits whether that be federal or personal loans, and have familiarized myself with the criteria that are necessary such as whether one needs a cosigner or the necessary credit. This experience ties together to my purpose and my plans. I am pursuing a bachelor’s in Social Work, where I plan to assist those with mental health illnesses and to assist those with substances issues - preferably a concentration with the homeless. I attended the community college courses last year and now plan to enroll in a four-year intuition to one day become a licensed Social Worker that can provide therapy and treatment plans. I plan on giving back to my community through my services and the clients that I help. The role that Social Workers have is essential, and over the years the demand will only increase as we witness more issues that need empathetic solutions.

As a native from San Antonio, Texas one can appreciate the efforts of the community and the cultures that mingle. Texas has a rich tradition and the state is rich in history, from museums to historic landscapes. The food that is available and the events that hold place every year are a tradition and bring the cities together, attracting tourists from Belgium and other states. The individuals that live in Texas tend to be friendly, proud, and independent. Being a Texan means having a sense of pride, traveling to historic places, and embracing a mix of cultures. In the city of the Alamo, we have events such as Fiesta and the Rodeo - two cities that happen to organize these events are Houston and San Antonio. At Fiesta vendors and artists come together to provide entertainment and delicious 'tripa tacos.' As a child, I remember attending my first event and witnessing the horses have races, or simply performing tricks. Tex -Mex happens to be descending from the Mexican descents, and San Antonio is the birthplace for various Tex-Mex dishes. A favorite restaurant that we religiously go to for Tex-Mex food is Mi Tierra - the bakery and restaurant are open twenty-four through the day. The well-known restaurant attracts tourists, musicians, and basketball players. One of my favorite plates is the mole enchiladas and when ordering from the bakery, I make sure to take two ‘crispy vanilla campechanas.’ In conclusion, being a Texan involves having lucky taste buds and celebrating diversity!