Determination and Passion by Alyssa

Determination and Passion by Alyssa - September 2014 Scholarship Essay

I believe that there is not only one skill most important to success in college, but two; I believe determination and passion are the most important, by far. I am majoring in Business Administration at California State University Fullerton and I know many people that are in the program that aren't passionate about the major, and those students do the minor work required and view the college education only as a tool to acquire a better job. I strongly believe in the quote "Do it with passion, or don't do it at all."

I strive to earn a Masters in Business Administration and then start my own clothing company and I take all of the classes I'm enrolled in very seriously because this is the start of my future and all of the skills and knowledge I will learn throughout college will not only determine if I can start my own business, but also if my business, itself, will be successful.

Passion and determination go hand-in-hand, most of the time, but I also believe that someone can be very determined but not passionate and someone can also be very passionate but not determined. If you are determined but not passionate there will be no joy in doing what is necessary and you will never fully understand why you are doing what you are doing, you will simply just do it because you are told or assigned. Nevertheless, being scared of possible outcomes such as failure or not following the "norm" can cause someone to be passionate but not determined. I also am a strong believer in taking risks, which is also a trait any business owner should have because there are new problems that arise everyday in the industry and although some risks are smaller than others, risks are always being taken.

In short, I believe determination and passion is what causes success in not only college, but also once you actually begin your career and start the rest of your life.