For a long time, I have seen that the field of Science seems to be pulling me toward a plethora of careers, such as a researcher, biologist, and even a data scientist, which includes math, science, and computer science. My sister and everyone around me were making their paths toward Science, and the interest around that field made me interested in it. Seeing my sister’s passion and watching her take Science as her path made me want to explore it more. I became interested in this field when I was around 8 years old, when I still loved the idea of being a teacher, but I quickly realized that teaching my notes to stuffed animals was not a real passion that actually interested me and was rather temporary. Seeing my sister, who had just entered high school at the time, studying Algebra and making animations through coding made me intrigued and curious about it. This made me decide to leave my childhood dreams behind and learn more about a field I had never experienced before.

Without realizing it, I have taken several classes that could help me in the future to pursue this field. One of them is Toastmasters, which helps with self-confidence and speaking in public. It is a popular program that is done around the world, and these skills could help me with interviews, presentations, and communicating with others in a future career. I have also taken advanced classes, and right now I am in AP Computer Science, which could help me pursue a career in Data Science because it includes computers and programming. I have also taken coding classes, learning from scratch and progressing to basic Python, which could help me in a career involving coding and computers. I am trying my best to take Honors, AP, and advanced classes throughout high school, which is going well so far, and I hope to take college-level classes in the future. In 9th grade, I took ATEX, which allowed me to explore four areas: Digital Audio, CAD, Graphic Communications, and Engineering. These were mainly exploratory classes, and they helped me discover that I wanted to explore Engineering more, which led me to the actual two-year Engineering program I am in now. Through Engineering, I can strengthen my problem-solving and technical skills while learning how STEM concepts can be applied to real-world problems.

I have participated in many activities outside and after school that have helped me develop skills that can be useful in my future career. One of my experiences has been volunteering at the Calvert Marine Museum, where I interact with visitors and help them learn about marine life. I get to show visitors turtles, fish, toadfish, sea urchins, starfish, and more, while also helping supervise and making sure visitors have a good experience. This has helped me become more comfortable communicating with different people and has given me experience with responsibility, supervision, and educating others about science. I have also participated in a school play, Beauty and the Beast, where I learned more about patience and working as a team. It also helped me with stage fright and was a good experience, even though I eventually realized that acting and singing might not be for me. I have also taken chess classes, where I learned different techniques and strategies that taught me to focus on a goal, think ahead, and make careful decisions. These skills helped lead me to getting a 3rd-place medal in an all-women’s chess competition, where I was also one of the youngest participants.

After graduating from high school, my immediate plan is to attend a strong four-year university, with getting into an Ivy League university being one of my goals. I want to attend a university where I can challenge myself academically, access strong resources, and continue developing my skills in Math, Computer Science, and other STEM subjects. I have not decided on a specific university yet, but I would like to earn a bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to continue my education and earn a master’s degree in a related field so I can develop more advanced knowledge and skills. I am probably not going into the military because the lifestyle and hardships involved do not seem right for me, although I am very appreciative of the people who serve their country. I also do not plan to attend community college because I would prefer to attend a university with strong programs related to my interests and more opportunities and resources. I am not planning to attend trade school or work as an apprentice because I want a broader education and would rather complete my studies before entering my career. Now that I am 14, I can also work in Maryland under certain conditions, so I would like to gain work experience when I find an opportunity that fits my age and the requirements.

My current career goal is to become a Data Scientist because it combines three areas that interest me: mathematics, computer science, and science. A Data Scientist can use data to find patterns, solve problems, and help organizations make better decisions. I want to use these skills to contribute to areas such as healthcare, environmental sustainability, and public safety, where better decisions can make a meaningful difference. My experiences with science at the Calvert Marine Museum have also shown me how scientific knowledge can be used to educate and help people in the community. In the future, I hope to use my education and career to make a positive impact on the society around me. I want to work hard toward my goals and hopefully inspire other people to work toward their own dreams as well. Although my interests may continue to develop throughout high school, I want to continue building my skills in Math and Computer Science and use them to solve real-world problems. Ultimately, I hope my career will allow me to help people, contribute to society, and make a positive impact on the world.