Aspirations of a Future Industrial Engineer by Hannah

Aspirations of a Future Industrial Engineer by Hannah - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

I, Hannah Nichols, am a senior at Vidalia Comprehensive High School. I was born and raised in Vidalia, Georgia. I excel academically, as I have consistently maintained a 4.0 grade point average and rank 4th in my class of 181 students, all while taking honors, advanced placement, and dual enrollment courses. I am enrolled at Mercer University as a full-time student to earn a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering this fall. I want to specialize in either project management and consulting or process improvement and optimization. I am interested in incorporating business into my college education; additionally, I am considering double majoring or minoring in finance. After I earn a bachelor's degree, I will get my Master of Business Administration (MBA) to gain a better understanding of business management functions and to expand the opportunities for career advancement.  I want to work as an industrial engineer in a corporate environment, which would allow me to develop my interest in business and industrial engineering further. After working as an industrial engineer and gaining the necessary experience, I will strive to attain a managerial role or a leadership position in a company that seeks growth. There is no specific place where I plan to live or work; where I reside and work depends solely on work opportunities.
As a young lady living in a rural Georgia town, I have experienced and witnessed many problems that an industrial engineer can fix. I am majoring in industrial engineering, making a significant impact, and continuing to help improve my community. Industrial engineers focus on making systems, businesses, and organizations more efficient, cost-effective, and productive. I can help local businesses, hospitals, and many other industries improve their operations, leading to overall economic growth in my community. By combining my technical knowledge with business strategy, I can help companies thrive while ensuring ethical and efficient practices. Companies will grow substantially, creating more jobs and economic stability.
Additionally, Industrial engineers work on optimizing transportation, supply chains, and manufacturing, establishing that people have better access to goods and services. As an industrial engineer, I can contribute to improving healthcare systems and making sustainable manufacturing a reality. I can also bring new industries to my community, develop safer workplaces, reduce waste, and enhance sustainability efforts, benefiting the environment and community. After gaining lots of experience in my career, I can mentor students and help schools with STEM Programs while encouraging innovation in my community. With my education and career experience, I will continue to be an excellent example for younger generations. Representation is another factor that explains why I want to pursue industrial engineering. Not many industrial engineers look like me- a 5'6 dark-skinned black girl with short black coily hair. Although I have not met many industrial engineers, the ones I have met have all been older white males except for one. She is an Asian woman in her late 20s with a personality full of life and a heart full of gold. She owns a hair shop and is involved in many different other businesses. She is a great role model, and I aspire to be what she is to me for others.
Receiving the Varsity Tutors Scholarship would help relieve me of financial stress but also empower me to fully dedicate myself to my studies to pursue a career in industrial engineering. With my persistent drive for excellence, a passion for leadership, and a commitment to serving others, I am motivated to make a meaningful impact in my career field and community. This scholarship would be an investment in my future—one that I will honor by striving for success and using my education to uplift those around me. With this scholarship, I can take steps toward my career as an industrial engineer. Then, I would use my education to make a societal impact and help my community, as it has given me so much. I am very grateful for this scholarship opportunity. Thank you for your time and consideration.