I think I was born to be an engineer. I have always loved solving problems. My favorite subject in school was always math. I love being presented with a problem and knowing that there is a solution, but you must be creative enough to find it. I also have always been fascinated by space. The thought of an infinite universe just waiting to be explored has always captivated my imagination. It is for these reasons that I have decided to pursue a career in aerospace engineering.The person who inspired me the most to become an engineer was my Grandpa. He was an engineer and when I was younger he would tell me stories about his job and designing parts for airplanes. I don’t think that there was ever a specific moment that I decided I wanted to become an engineer; it just always seemed like the right career for me.

To help achieve my goal of becoming an engineer, I am taking AP Physics and Honors PreCalculus. I am also planning to take more advanced math classes next year.  I also have learned a lot from being in the Engineering program at the tech center that will help me in my future career. In my education thus far, I have learned many skills that will help me greatly. From my math classes I have learned to problem solve and think outside the box to find a solution, and from my English classes I have learned how to write professionally and how to properly translate ideas into words.

Over the years, I have competed in many extracurricular activities related to engineering. In elementary and middle school I participated in Destination Imagination, a competition where each year groups across the country are given a problem that they must solve using their technical and engineering skills. You must also perform a skit to go along with your solution to the problem. In the last year we competed, my team earned first place in Maryland by making a working projector out of cardboard and a flashlight. I also have participated in multiple STEM camps during the summer. Both of these opportunities taught me to work together and that sometimes the best way to solve a problem isn’t alone, it’s with a team.

 I realize post-high school plans can change for many reasons but, at this time, my goal is to go to a four-year college and get a degree in aerospace engineering. I also hope to do an internship at a company through the Tech Center. I want to get as much hands-on experience as I can before starting a full-time job. The Tech center will allow me to fully immerse myself in the job before starting at a real company.

Once I have earned my degree there are many ways that I can impact my community and the world.I could help mentor students in my community interested in engineering. One day I hope to work at NASA and design technology that will help us push the limits of human exploration in space. This will allow me to positively impact the world and hopefully inspire others to pursue careers in engineering as well.