I know what I want to be when I grow up! by Jack

I know what I want to be when I grow up! by Jack - June 2017 Scholarship Essay

My mom has a great story that she loves to tell over and over and it couldn't be more perfect for this essay question. We were driving in the car, my mom, my twin brother Ben and my older sister Kara. I confirmed my age at the time and I was in kindergarten the day this conversation happened. My mom was explaining to us that we were put on this earth for a purpose and although we may not know what that purpose is, God would tell us as we go through our life. So we should carefully listen for the clues. She said one clue I can tell you is that it may be something you are really good at, but then it could also be something you aren't so good at. Meaning our weaknesses may help us help others and that could be our purpose.

According to my mom, neither by twin brother or older sister had a response. Although she was sure they were taking it all in. She confirms that I immediately had an answer. I said, "Mom, I know what my purpose is." She asked me what I thought it was and I responded with "I am here to make people feel good." It is interesting that you are asking this question, because although my 5 or 6 year old self seemed to know in an instant what my purpose was, I certainly had no clue what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had dreams for sure, which was to be either a baseball or hockey player. My twin brother had the same dreams. But it is difficult to push aside my 25 year old self to feel or hear what was in my 6 year old head, about my future. One thing I can say with confidence is that I knew then that I had a natural ability to connect with people. I liked talking to people, strangers, young and old. I could have a conversation and enjoyed listening to them talk about themselves. I learned a lot in those conversations. How did I know at that young age, that my time with them listening, made them feel good about themselves? I know now that is somewhat rare.

That is part of my personality so it did stay with me throughout high school and college. Something I would never have thought of if this question hadn't been asked. My belief that I was put here to make people feel better really never changed, except I didn't keep it in mind trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grow up/find my purpose. And there is the possibility that what my profession is may not be my purpose, but I think most people would like to be. We all want to be happy in our jobs, and if it is our purpose, how can we not be happy?

So here I am re-entering college with the goal of finally getting my degree, and still not totally sure what I want to do with it. But I am sure of one thing and that is, it is definitely important to me to get my degree! It has been unfinished business for and I know that with it, I will feel accomplished and that it will open up more doors for me professionally.

So thank you very much for this question. Because as I complete this essay question, I am thinking that maybe the answer has been there with me all along as far back as kindergarten. I am going to keep this question and my purpose as a focus as I finish my degree. This was the first scholarship application that I have ever done (that I can recall) and what I have gained from it is much more than monetary, that is for sure.

Jack Niedenfuer
Declared major - UNDECIDED.