Retrospective Essay

When I think back on my time as an Honors Scholar, I see growth that goes far beyond grades or awards. The Honors College challenged me to push past comfort zones, stay curious, and keep improving. Through research, study abroad, internships, and the Honors I-Core experience, I’ve learned how to think critically, lead with integrity, and apply what I’ve learned in real ways that matter.

I’ve spent the past few years dedicated to doing well in school and becoming someone who doesn’t just meet expectations but exceeds them. My academic journey wasn’t perfect at first, but once I learned to take responsibility for my success, I never looked back. Maintaining high grades while balancing work, research, and leadership roles taught me discipline and time management. These are skills I know I’ll rely on long after graduation. The most important skill I’ve gained through my honors experience is the ability to adapt and communicate effectively across different environments. This growth has taken many forms from conducting academic research to collaborating in cross-cultural teams to navigating professional roles in marketing and sales.

I feel like my Honors I-Core experience was a turning point (my team is pictured below). I-Core, or Integrated Core, is a foundational course though the Kelley School of Business that involves a semester long team project and four interconnected courses: Finance, Supply Chain, Leadership, and Marketing. Our team was tasked with creating an AI solution for a specific industry. We built an app that uses AI to design interior spaces for people who can’t afford a professional designer. It was more than just a class project, it was a test of everything we’d learned. I had to combine analytical thinking with creativity, manage group dynamics, and translate complex ideas into something practical. Working through the challenges of that project strengthened my leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. It showed me how theory becomes real when you have to deliver something that works. 

Through my UROP research project, I learned how to connect personality psychology to consumer behavior. It was my first deep dive into marketing research, and it taught me how to gather data, analyze patterns, and find meaning behind the numbers. More importantly, it taught me how to think. Thinking carefully and independently has shaped how I approach every new challenge.

Studying abroad in Japan changed how I see the world. Working with students from Doshisha Women’s College on a Sustainable Development Goals project opened my eyes to how different cultures solve problems. I learned how to communicate across barriers and how empathy is just as important as efficiency. That trip taught me that business isn’t just about profit, it’s about understanding people.

My internships tied it all together. At the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor, I helped rebrand the organization during its name change. It was my first taste of real-world marketing, and I grew a lot by taking initiative and learning from feedback. Receiving the Xtern “Growth” Core Value Award meant a lot, as it was proof that my hard work and willingness to learn made an impact. At Keyence, I took those same lessons into sales. Competing in and winning a national sales competition taught me how to communicate clearly, stay confident under pressure, and connect with others quickly. I learned that preparation and consistency build results, but growth happens when you’re pushed to perform.

All of these experiences connect directly to what I want to do next. I want a career in marketing and sales where I can use communication, analysis, and creativity to solve problems and build relationships. Honors helped me find the balance between being strategic and being human. It taught me that success doesn’t come from shortcuts, but it comes from learning deeply, thinking critically, and staying grounded in your values. Looking back, I can see how much I’ve grown since my first year. I’ve become more confident, disciplined, and aware of how my work can impact others. I’ve learned how to adapt, lead, and communicate with purpose. The Honors College helped me find direction, and more importantly, it gave me the mindset to keep learning. As I prepare to graduate, I know I’m ready, not because I have all the answers, but because I know how to find them.