- What are your future plans or goals and why did you choose this career path?
My future goals are to attend a four-year college, possibly Mankato State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene or the University of Iowa to become a physical therapist. I've always wanted to work in the medical field of some sort so that I could make a difference and form meaningful connections. When people say they want to work in the medical field to help people, most immediately think of nurses or doctors, but there is so much more that people do not consider that helps others. I may not specifically know the path I want to take but I am eager to see which I decide to pursue.
I could never understand why my friends hated going to the dentist when we were kids. I always found it relaxing and enjoyed the feeling of having clean teeth. I've always been particular about my teeth, ever since I got braces at the age of seven. However, choosing a career path is a difficult topic. I want a career that is flexible, stable, and meaningful, and I believe that becoming a dental hygienist or physical therapist will provide that.
I had never considered becoming a physical therapist, until last year. I tore my ACL while playing basketball, which required me to attend physical therapy one to two times per week for nine months. My therapists were incredible and made my recovery so much easier because I knew they cared about me and getting me back to sports as soon as possible. Because I couldn't participate in sports or any other physical activity other than physical therapy, I concentrated on academics ten times more than usual. My injury taught me that sports are really not everything in life and taught me to appreciate the little things. I became interested in therapy after learning about body mechanics and muscles. One of my therapists told me that she went through the same thing I did in high school, which made her a better therapist because she understands what I'm going through. Ultimately, that made me consider becoming a physical therapist and working with athletes who went through the same process I did.
Lastly, dental hygiene and physical therapy are both majors that require lots of hard work and persistent studying. I know I am a very dedicated student who takes school seriously. This scholarship would help me to focus on my studies and keep them as my number one priority. It would help me greatly if I were to get this extra support, and it will not go to waste. My injury made me see things in a new light and to take advantage of what I have been given. Both these fields will always be something people are in need of so I know that there will always be a job somewhere out there.
Thank you very much for considering me as a candidate for this scholarship. Whatever I choose for my future, I know I want to help others.