One Picture At A Time by Claire

One Picture At A Time by Claire - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I attend college, I plan to study sonography, a career that utilizes medical imaging to study and monitor disease or conditions in the human body. Picking a major was definitely not something I took lightly—or randomly picked from a list. It was something that fell into place over time as I learned more about the healthcare field, the potential of technology, and how much it means to be in the position to make a difference for others.

What most draws me to sonography is the difference that it makes. Sonographers are often times the first to identify something serious; a tumor, a pregnancy issue, or something that will change an individual's life. The fact that I can be the reason that someone gets the care that they need, or even the reason that one saves a life, makes this career so empowering and purposeful. I've always loved helping people, and this is a career where I get to keep doing that in such a concrete and hands-on way.

Hands-on? Yes. Another reason that I was drawn to this career is because of that. I'm continually impressed with technology, especially where it's developed in medicine. We have phones, computers, and smart devices we use on a daily basis, but hospitals and clinics get to utilize the same kind of technology to save lives. It blows my mind just thinking about that. I like the idea of being able to work at a facility where I'm not just sitting idly by—I'm learning, adapting, working with advanced machines, and becoming better constantly. Sonography gives me that kind of dynamic atmosphere, something new on any given day.

It's also a personal choice. I have relatives who've experienced some tough medical problems, and I remember the significance diagnostic imaging played in our situation at the time. It gave our family answers at their most desperate times. It gave hope. That experience left an impression on me and helped me realize how much power this profession holds emotionally. It helped me wish to be that person who instills that same comfort and clarity in other individuals.

Aside from all the good reasons, sonography is also pragmatic. The medical profession is growing, and diagnostic medical sonographers are very much in demand. It's wonderful to feel that I can build a safe and satisfying career at what I love. I also like flexibility, whether in a hospital, private clinic, or even a branch of specialization such as obstetrics or cardiovascular medicine. The possibility of growth, specialization, and ongoing learning is endless. And maybe even one day I'll even instruct others who desire to step into this career. That kind of long-term potential is one that I really value.

This is why choosing sonography as my major feels like the perfect choice. It encompasses my passion for helping people, my interest in technology, and my desire to be a part of something more than myself. I am eager to start this journey in college and eventually become someone who really makes a difference in patients' lives, one picture at a time.