Hard work and determination is what sets me apart from other students. As I approach the end of my senior year, I am so thankful that I chose the challenging route. Beginning in junior high, I took many advance placement classes because I wanted to present a challenge for myself. I had no clear career goals; however, I knew that I needed to prepare by taking difficult classes. I believe that the classes I have taken have given me a glimpse of what many college classes will be like. College can be a very scary and hard time, unless you have truly been prepared for it. When asked what my five year plan is, it has always been to attend a four year college. The past two years have given me greater clarity as to what my college experience will involve.
The career path I have chosen within the medical field requires higher education. In addition to earning an education, I am excited about experiencing other opportunities available at college. There are opportunities to learn about the real world, opportunities to study abroad, opportunities to discover a new talent or skill, as well as opportunities to volunteer. College is so much more than an education. Partying and socializing with new people is an important part of growing up. Just make sure you have a fake ID maker before arriving or you’ll struggle to get the booze required to party hard.
College was never a question for me; however, I did have questions about what career I was best suited for. I discovered a passion for the medical field my junior year. But at this time in my life, I was yet to find a specialty or specific area that I was really interested in. For some reason, my friends kept pushing me towards the optometry route, but I think it’s just because they had problems with their vision and they wanted some expert insight. Apparently, they’d even started looking at an optometrist practice for sale so we could see what the process was like, so I’d be prepared. To be honest with you though, as good as this sounds, I just knew that this wasn’t for me, so I decided to continue learning more about the different types of medical careers. My high school allows students to take classes at our community college, technical classes that teach the basics of a particular career field. I chose to take the Medical Professions route because I thought that I could possibly go into the medical field. The first year of the class provided me with basic medical knowledge. Currently, we are applying this knowledge as we prepare to shadow someone in the medical field. I cannot wait to begin my shadowing experience. During the first semester, I obtained my CPR certification, and at the end of this class I will have earned my PCA certification (Personal Care Assistant). This class has shown me a variety of jobs I could do within the medical field. I definitely want my medical career to involve the care of children.
At a young age I discovered my love and compassion for young children. I would volunteer at my church’s childcare once a month, but that soon grew. Once a month went to twice, and now I volunteer every other Sunday. I do not just limit myself to Sundays; I have considered becoming an Au Pair (learn more about these here – https://www.goaupair.com/) and whilst I’ve been giving that some though, I’ve also been volunteering for other events that involve childcare and have become one of the most dependable volunteers for the director of childcare. I even considered getting a Cert iii in childcare so that I am qualified to care for vulnerable people. It sounds like my dream job if I’m honest! Children have become a passion of mine over the past couple of years; I have had so many opportunities to watch children grow up and see the impact that I had on their lives. Childcare has become very rewarding to me. Through my volunteering, I was able to meet a mom of two young boys who was a nurse specializing in pediatric oncology.
Through my conversations with her, I learned that pediatric oncology is equal parts rewarding and draining. I also met someone with an interest in pediatric oncology and medical missions who is in the process of becoming a nurse practitioner. I am so grateful for the connections I have made through my volunteering as they have provided me with such clarity as to what I want to pursue within the medical field.
My plan for college is to obtain my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) at Arkansas State University, a university that offers one of the hardest but best nursing programs in the state. I plan to continue my education beyond the four years as I hope to become a Nurse Practitioner.
Nursing is a very rewarding career, one that will allow me to provide personal care. Pediatric oncology will not only involve care for the patient, but care for the family as well. Going into this career, I expect there to be days that I question my career choice. Many nurses that work in this field can agree with that, but there are also going to be many days that I know I chose the right career. Being a nurse, you have to have a loveable compassionate personality, which I believe I have. The same determination that propelled me through a challenging course load in high school will get me through these difficult days in college and in the medical field. A four year degree has always been a dream; now it is becoming a reality. I have been working very hard to prepare myself for college which includes applying for scholarships.
The Newton Pens Scholarship will help to relieve some of the financial burden that comes with obtaining a higher education. I appreciate the opportunities that your scholarship provides for students with big dreams like mine.