[O]ne of the most influential people in my personal and educational life has been my high school counselor, Mrs. Hackett. She has always been there to guide me and help me figure out what I truly want to do with my life. When I first entered high school, I thought I wanted to be a teacher like my mother and so many other women in my family. I now realize that what I truly want to become is a counselor and advisor. I want to be the person Mrs. Hackett was for me and impact the lives of other students by encouraging them to follow their dreams.
I believe that everyone in this world deserves to have somebody reminding them that they can do whatever they set their mind to if they are willing to work hard. Growing up, I had a father who never attended college and never saw the importance of pursuing higher education. My expectations for myself were always higher than the expectations he had of me. My mother started college but wasn’t able to finish. Years later, she returned and completed her Bachelor’s degree. My mom has always been the one to push me to reach my goals and has never accepted anything but my best.
I know that I have always been lucky to have at least one parent supporting me through school. Some students do not have a support system like this at home. This is one of the reasons why I feel like a counselor’s job in the lives of students is so important. Someone needs to be there to fill in and provide the encouragement, knowledge and guidance that many students will not receive from anyone else. We need more Mrs. Hackett’s in the world inspiring kids to reach for the stars and eliminate any doubts they might have about accomplishing their goals.
I know that upon graduation, I will have everything I need to be successful in the career I have chosen. Consequently, I will be fully equipped to facilitate students with what they need to be successful as they explore their interests and discover their life ambitions. I will go to work every day with a smile on my face, knowing that I am making a difference and doing what I love. I cannot wait to see where my career and passion takes me. I am anxious to see how many students I am able to impact in a huge and positive way.
JustJobs.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Stephanie Dominguez as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for her essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.