From Engineering to Art--Ten Years of "The Question" by Ashley

From Engineering to Art--Ten Years of "The Question" by Ashley - June 2017 Scholarship Essay

Like the typical 6-year-old who loved puppies, cats, and an assortment of other animals, when asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would give the trite answer of “veterinarian,” not fully understanding the type of work needed to pursue that profession. My memory of early elementary school is quite hazy, but I am sure I stuck with this resolution of “veterinarian” (solely based on my love of animals) until around third grade when I was introduced to art and Japanese animation by a friend. Of course, by this age I had developed the ability to think more deeply and critically as well as make more informed choices; this development leading me to see some flaws in my previous choice of “veterinarian.” I became enthralled with Japanese-style cartoons and comics (“anime” or “manga”) at this time; I soon developed some newfound (almost unexpected) drawing skills and eventually dreamed of becoming a Manga Illustrator. This goal was greatly supported by my friends at school and encouraged by the school system (as I was at least thinking about my future), though not so much by my parents. However, as I completed the rest of elementary school, I found a much greater appreciation for academics, this largely fostered by the gifted program at my school. My desire for knowledge not only regarding drawing, but also mathematics, science, and language caused me to rapidly mature and become much less wide-eyed with my goals.

Though still a bit ignorant of the implications, I switched gears from Manga Illustrator to something more doable--a Freelance Illustrator--as I entered middle school. Through the opportunities held in advanced classes during middle school, my love of knowledge grew even further, as did my love of drawing. I made a friend in middle school who held a similar interest in drawing and academics; she definitely helped me to improve my drawings and widen my horizons of art and academic opportunities. Despite my diversifying interests, I stuck to my goal of becoming an illustrator--that until the end of my freshman year when the counselors came speak about careers. This opened my eyes to not only the potential hardships of being an illustrator, but it also gave me insight into a world of other careers that I had never considered. One career in particular really struck me at that time: Chemical Engineering. Once again, I was ignorant of the complete duties of a Chemical Engineer, but I had been in an accelerated chemistry class that I absolutely loved--this love fostering great interest in pursuing a career related to chemistry.

This adoration of chemistry also led me to take AP Chemistry sophomore year. The immense workload and challenge of the class never once tarnished my connection to chemistry; instead, it fed it. The concepts and math taught seemed to always quickly click in my mind, fueling my desire for a chemistry-related career. Mid-year, the councilors came once again to talk to our classes about careers, and once again I gained new insight and saw new passions rising. I again changed my future professional goals, this time to my current aspiration of Environmental Engineering. Environmental Engineering, I feel, suits my interests and skills much more than Chemical Engineering does; I have an immense passion for protecting the environment and developing technology to do so as well as the chemistry behind it. I’ve really made it my dream to make a difference with my work and education in what seems to be an ever-declining environmental state. It excites me to think that someday I may be able to use the chemistry and other math and science knowledge to better the planet (and maybe save some of the animals that I had loved since 6 years old).

Despite this, some of my older passions still not-so-stealthily lurk in my mind; those consisting of drawing as well as my interest in Japan (that stemming from my earlier love of anime and manga). I still would love to sell illustrations on a small scale along with a regular, full-time engineering position as well as study the Japanese language, culture, and history in college. My passion for illustration persists greatly through my heavy involvement in my high school’s art program; I enter art shows and contests frequently and have done well, this encouraging me to improve and work on my art. My interest in Japan persists through my involvement in the National History Day Competition. A few friends and I created the National History Day Club our freshman year after being successful at the competition during 8th-grade. During the past two years of the competition, I have selected topics concerning Japanese history for the basis of my projects; learning more about Japan through the research required for competing has maintained my interest in Japan, this to the extent of desiring to minor in Japanese Studies during college. Unfortunately, my high school does not offer a Japanese Language course, but I have taken the initiative to learn some basics and the language outside of school, and I’ve found that I really enjoy the language.

I still have two short years of high school left--plenty of time and opportunities for my goals to change once again. I’m not opposed to more change; I just desire that whichever career I choose to pursue in the end, it reflects my passions and evolution that has occurred throughout my wonderful education journey.