My Career: Serving Others by Isabelle

My Career: Serving Others by Isabelle - January 2018 Scholarship Essay

When I think of my future and all the great opportunities life has given to me, it all revolves around one thing- service. From a young age, I’ve always loved helping others, animals included. My love for animals was so great that I even planned on attending veterinary school to become a licensed large animal veterinarian. However, when I took a psychology class my junior year in high school, I knew right away that I was better suited to become a psychologist. As I delved deeper into the different areas of psychology, I frequently found myself being drawn back to one specific sub field- clinical psychology. What interested me about this was that I would not only be able to help diagnose different disorders, but would also be there to help the person through their issues and, hopefully, aid the person in overcoming or finding a better way to cope with the problem. Attending college would be the perfect opportunity for me to hone my skills so I can provide better assistance to those who need my help.

As I continued to research more about what I could do in that field, I met with a local clinical psychologist to receive advice on how I should go about getting my degree. While we were talking, she asked me if I was interested in working in the military. I explained to her that I’ve always wanted to serve in the military but never knew how to incorporate my career into it. She then explained to me that the military could pay for my degree and in return, I would serve in the military, doing the job I love, for however many years it took me complete my PhD. I listened to her advice and started researching the steps I needed to take now to successfully reach my goals. In my research I found that if I earn my Associates and Bachelor degree on my own, and then sign on with the military, the government would pay for my Masters, along with my PhD while I am active duty. Through this, I would be able to directly work with military personnel that have suffered from traumatic experiences and help them to the best of my ability. I could also easily acquire many jobs after I retire from the military and continue serving those that need my guidance.

Service can mean many things. In my life, I have found that serving those around me not only lifts them up but shows others the importance of compassion and love. Although clinical psychology is often seen as scientific, and impersonal; to me, it opens up an opportunity to show love and support to those in need of it around me.