Reflecting Upon My Past

It’s funny how life rarely unfolds the way we expect. When I first joined Honors at IU Indianapolis, I had a carefully mapped-out plan. I intended to join CRU to deepen my faith, participate in the IUPUI English Club to refine my writing and become involved in the Kelley Indianapolis Marketing Organization (KIMO) to gain real-world marketing experience. 

Looking back, I never followed that exact path, yet I accomplished every goal I set for myself, just in ways I never could have predicted. 

Instead of CRU, I immersed myself in Redeemer Young Adults (RYA), the student and kids' ministries at my church (RSM & RKM), and the prayer team. Through these, I not only grew in my faith but also had the incredible opportunity to preach in RYA and RSM. 

Instead of the English Club, I pursued a Creative Writing minor, which has enriched my storytelling abilities beyond what I imagined. 

Rather than joining KIMO, I secured a marketing internship at Scale Computing, where I work directly under the VP of Marketing. 

My journey proves that sometimes, the most meaningful experiences come not from sticking to the original plan but from being open to new paths that lead to the same destination.

Even before college, speech and debate (RHETORIC) shaped my ability to think critically, defend ideas, and adapt under pressure, skills that became invaluable during my time in Honors. 

Nowhere was this more evident than in ICORE, the most challenging and rewarding academic experience of my undergraduate career. As part of the first Honors class to take on an entrepreneurial project in ICORE, my team developed an A.I.-powered financial advising app and pitched it to a panel of industry leaders and A.I. experts from across the country. 

It was a test of resilience, adaptability, and teamwork, pushing us to navigate ambiguity, manage tight deadlines, and handle high expectations from multiple overseers. Every skill I had honed through RHETORIC came into play, from presenting persuasively to thinking on my feet. 

This experience is why Honors has been worth it, it wasn’t easy, but it challenged me in ways that ensured I left better than I came. 

My past plans might have looked different, but the lessons I learned and the growth I experienced have shaped me into exactly who I wanted to become.