The value of education and hard work is something that I have understood since a very young age. My father had the opportunity to attend college, but in order to provide a better life for his family, he moved to the United States with nothing but his wife. From then until now we have faced many struggles in our personal and their professional lives. My family has made many sacrifices to allow me to focus on education, allowing me to earn an Associates in Applied Science majoring in Computerized Architectural and Industrial design.
Growing up with my father working in construction and plumbing, I’ve always had an interest in architecture. It is for this reason I transferred to spitzer, to pursue a career in Architecture, regardless of a few extra years in college. Over the last couple of years my family has been facing a struggle due to low income; it has become harder for my father to support my financial needs for my education. Since I’ve started college I’ve been jumping residence between my sisters’ houses and my uncles’ house. I’m currently residing with my second oldest sister and I am not provided with any form of financial aid or TAP because my parents live in a different state. In order to help with some of the school expenses i pick up small jobs in dog walking and dog sitting, or small home repair jobs. A scholarship would help me complete my studies concisely and to the best of my abilities.
Receiving this scholarship will have a great positive impact on my life. The money from this scholarship can help by allowing me to be more selective in how i spend my free time, which I would use to maximize my architectural education through internships and work that is more valuable for my degree. It would also give me the opportunity of experiencing a new place outside of the country. Reducing financial concerns would impact my education tremendously, providing me more time for studying and learning. Also, giving me a chance to travel and visit the historic places and buildings I’ve learned about throughout my life. On a Professional level, this scholarship can make my resume more attractive demonstrating to future companies and employers that I have great qualities in the academic realm.
The extracurricular activities that I was involved in played an important role in molding me into the person i am today. As the daughter of pillars of my church, I was privileged with being an essential leader of my youth group. Many of my responsibilities included organizing character building events, outings, fundraisers, and many other events for the youth and the church. I also made myself useful helping out with the children of the church. I was also part of the church choir for many years, not only did i physically aid the church by organizing events, I aided spiritually using my talents in music. It was an enriching moment in my life, which unfortunately, I can no longer can take a part of due to the financial needs at home and for school. During my time in Queensborough Community college. I was very involved in clubs the college had to offer, including some not related to my major. For 3 of the 4 semesters of my attendance, I was president of the architecture club, was part of the Environmental sustainability club, STEM, and the drama society. During the semesters, I spend the little free time I do have to provide tutoring services to younger kids in the subject of math. During the summer and winter semesters i also take classes, but because it is much fewer classes than a regular semester, I make it a habit to return to my church in Pennsylvania and help in anyway I can.
At the moment, my short term academic goals are to pass my classes with high grades, as I currently have been, and to the best of my abilities. I plan to earn my Bachelors in Architecture with a concentration in Technology and Sustainability. Although I have already completed the required amount of elective credits needed to graduate, I’m more interested in further educating myself in the field of construction technology and sustainability and earning that title on my degree. Upon graduation I plan to pursue a masters degree in Architecture at Yale University to further my knowledge and practice.
Receiving this scholarship would help me achieve my career goals in the next 5 years by reducing my stress over the lack of money and provide me the opportunity to focus more on my school work. Further into my career, I want to start my own architecture firm centered around new building technologies and strategies and a focus on sustainable design. Now more than ever, with the issue of climate change and the environmental impact we’ve made on the planet, I believe that more architectural firms need to incorporate sustainability and passive design into their work. I am looking forward to be working in a solid career in architecture in which I can make an impact, even if it’s the smallest.
It has been a great honor and privilege to be the first generation in my family to go to college and pursue a career. I am incredibly grateful for all the sacrifices my parents and older siblings have had to make in order for me to continue my education. Between making time to find small jobs and jumping from house to house just to pay for school and materials, I haven’t had the opportunity to study abroad or travel. I believe travelling is essential in architecture to be able to learn and see other potential career options in places other than the US, it also exposes us to other building technology. This scholarship would be a blessing to help me get through my last year.
