Perspectives by Anthony

Perspectives by Anthony - March 2024 Scholarship Essay

Title: Embracing Diversity, Originating Growth

As a Black and African American undergraduate student in Arts Management at Southern New Hampshire University, my journey in academia and professional settings is painted with vivid hues of learning, collaboration, growth, and diversity. In the matrix of divergent perspectives and cognitive alliances, I find myself recalling a strategically enlightening event where I learned a crucial life lesson – the importance of seeking knowledge beyond what is given, and appreciating the disposition of individuals who possess contrasting perspectives.

The situation pivoted when I took up my first job. The trainer at the workplace espoused a singular, perhaps minimalistic approach towards instructing the novices, which I found intriguing yet complex. They perceived the trainees as students who were guided with strictly foundational information about the job, a methodology, which was rather paradoxical to my vision of comprehensive learning.

Notwithstanding their perspective, I found myself grappling with a lack of understanding of the role's intricacies. Their monotonous narrative, focusing solely on the rudiments, often induced confusion and contributed to errors. It was a challenging stage in my life where, grappling with the exhaustive realism of professional life, I was habitually caught in a whirlwind of confusion. Nevertheless, it was also a timeframe that spurred my growth and learning in unexpected dimensions.

It was at this juncture that my academic background and interest in Arts Management and Arts served as my guiding light. I was conditioned to believe in the organic nature of learning that goes beyond the mechanical dissemination of information. I imagined the intricate aesthetic of a painting or a well-managed art show, where every fine detail, every stroke, every plan collectively construct the whole, contributing towards creating a masterpiece. Armed with this understanding, I began applying the same approach to my job, thus settling into a pattern of learning more than what was merely presented.

I followed a proactive route, seeking additional information, pushing my boundaries, questioning my doubts, and navigating my way amidst ambiguity and uncertainty. While the trainer maintained their similar view of knowledge sharing, I embarked on a journey of autonomous self-driven learning that underlined resilience, wisdom, courage, and personal agency.

The narrative is power-packed with perpetual learning spurred through diversity, one that gifted me the valuable skill of thinking flexibly, innovatively, and holistically. It helped me understand the essence of going beyond the bare minimum and explore the vast expanse of knowledge and potential that life presents. This experience enriched my understanding of individual differences and perspectives, nurturing my intellectual acuity as well as emotional intelligence.

Apart from preparing me for the rigors of subsequent academic challenges and professional roles, the situation improved my proficiency as an Arts Management major. As any artwork corroborates, beauty, value, and meaning lie in the fine details, those beyond the basic broad strokes. An arts manager, too, must deal with more than the practical logistical matters, but dive into the creative and intricate aspects of the arts.

Gaining a powerful empathy, I learned that different perspectives strengthen the force of learning and evolution. Respect for diversity, coupled with an undying desire for knowledge, facilitates personal growth and resilience, key elements that would continue to shape my future scholastic and professional endeavors.

As I write this essay, a quote by Henry Miller resonates perfectly with my thought, "One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." Every opportunity, every individual, every challenge, therefore, guides us into acquiring a new perspective, ultimately enriching us, growing us, transforming us. I believe this transformational journey of growth is continuously shaping my life, instilling in me an innate strength to evolve with grace, courage, resilience, and an enlightened consciousness.