Since childhood, my dream was to go to college and make my family proud. I was born in Pakistan to a low-income family. To make our lives better, my father moved to the United States. After getting a secure job and becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen, his plan was to bring us here. Before we were about to come, I lost my mother to a disease when I was ten years old. I was unable to share important moments of my life with her. But from that loss I learned to be grateful for the life I have and to make the most of it. After moving to the United States, I went to great schools and met amazing people that have helped me get to where I am. Now I am in college and able to reach my dreams. I am very excited about my future and feel that by taking all the opportunities available, I can achieve my dreams and make my family proud.
My educational goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Analytics. I chose marketing because I wanted to do something that is creative. As I took more marketing classes, I learned that I want to do digital marketing and market research rather than the sales part. I also wanted to take something that would complement and make me stand out from the crowd. Most marketing majors get a minor in graphic design or psychology, but I was not interested in those. I added Business Analytics as a dual major because I think it will help me with market research and analyzing data. I had an internship at Axis Communications where I am looking for ways to attract more female workers and make their workplace diverse. The skills and experience I gained from this internship will help me become a market research analyst. My five-year plan is to graduate by spring 2019 and be a Marketing Manager at a reputable company by 2023.
Over the past four years of college, I was engaged on campus and in the community. I had the opportunity to be the secretary of the Cultural Exchange Club and be a member of the tennis team. For the Cultural Exchange Club, I assisted with planning and implementation of cultural activities to encourage student participation in the club. I also collaborated with e-board members to create and execute annual events such as the International Gala and earned the Spotlight on Leadership Award. By being a part of the tennis team, I developed communication skills and established winning strategies. I was able manage time between classes and practices effectively so that I am successful in classes and on the court. Last year, I also volunteered to help The Water Project fundraise money to provide clean and safe drinking water for children in Africa. By getting involved on campus and giving back to the community, I have formed connections and made a difference in people’s lives.
During the winter holiday seasons, I worked for the United States Postal Service to gather enough money for the spring semesters. I worked eight hour shifts from Friday to Tuesday for two months. I worked as much overtime as I could while also having to attend 8 a.m. classes. I also worked at the International Student Services (ISS) and the athletic department as part of my work-study. At ISS, I welcomed new international students and helped them adjust to life in the United States. I educated them about American culture, showed them the resources offered throughout the campus, and encouraged them to get involved and participate in inter-cultural events. Unfortunately, I was not able to save up enough money for the spring semester and had to take out student loans. My family cannot afford to help me pay for my entire education because we are fighting to pay for expenses. I pitch in money to help my family pay the monthly electricity and water bills. Even though we are struggling financially, I was lucky to be born in a culture where family sticks together and is there for each other through the challenging times. College has been a great learning experience for me and I still have much to learn. To make my father and siblings proud, I will continue to work hard and achieve my dream of getting a college degree. Being engaged on campus and volunteering has shaped me into a better person and taught me to help those in need.