Gratitude for Diversity in College by Abigail

Gratitude for Diversity in College by Abigail - November 2016 Scholarship Essay

Identity, which is often abstracted by metaphysical notions of self and circumstance, plays a huge role in opportunity and potential success. We live in a world that is progressing rapidly, but is still unequal in opportunity for those who don’t fit specific profiles. I am a woman. I am bisexual. I suffer from a chronic autoimmune illness. All of these identity puzzle pieces play a major role in how I live my life. These factors, in sum, create my sense of self. Circumstance, being the homogeneous nature of the fields I am interested in, often looks over people like me.

Diversity is a huge component of success in any institution or organization. Fields such as Finance and Technology are dominated by straight, abled, white men. There is nothing wrong with these people, but the lack of diversity in thought and experiences is alarming. Without new and different perspectives, innovation will be limited and the institution would become stuck in a rut of thought and thus, weaken in comparison to its more diverse competitors. It is imperative to include individuals who vary in race, ethnicity, gender, ability, and sexual orientation in fields where they are underrepresented. Including and empowering such individuals allows for new perspectives to be heard. Multiple unique perspectives create an essential dialogue that helps any business or organization progress and function better in the long-run.

I was lucky to have grown up/been educated in a diverse and urban environment where people from all backgrounds were heard and celebrated. Unfortunately, the working world is not like this, as there are many social barriers to entry. I used to want to be a biomedical researcher and was shocked that STEM fields were dominated so heavily by white men. This was not, however, what deterred me from the field. My passions just changed as I was in the process of getting a startup off the ground. Finance entranced me and and fit my analytical skills and quick-thinking mind. I started following the markets and loved digging for data. When I switched my major from biology to business, I learned similar truths about workplace demographics. The statistics do not get me down at all. They inspire me to empower others while entering the field myself with full force. Science still plays a major role in my life, but I know in my heart that I want to work in Finance or Technology upon graduation.

I am a passionate advocate for women, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community, as all three play a huge role in my identity. The deciding factor in which college I would attend, other than price, was diversity and inclusion. University of Massachusetts Boston has taught me so much through its diverse student body and social justice initiatives. At UMass, my identity is not an issue at all. I am inspired by others to succeed no matter what the circumstances are. I am so grateful for this part of UMass, and the college experience in general.