Education Through the Ages by Jasmine

Education Through the Ages by Jasmine - June 2017 Scholarship Essay

When I was six years old I wanted to be a marine biologist when I grew up. I remember watching a documentary about a man doing a welding job in the ocean and his experience with a giant squid that came really close to him. I was so fascinated with how big the squid was and it sparked my interest in all sea animals. I wanted to work with sea animals so I could encounter a giant squid just like the man in the documentary, but I was not sure how I could do that. A little while later I was informed about the possibility of being a marine biologist. I researched a little bit with my parents and found out that I could work up close with huge sea creatures every day if I became a marine biologist. My heart was set on being a marine biologist for approximately four years. When I became ten years old, I started to show more interest in anatomy. That is when I decided that I wanted to be in the medical field. I wanted to become an Ultrasound Technician so that I could examine babies and make sure they are developing properly.
As time passed, I decided that I wanted to be a doctor. I wanted to be a doctor because I spent so much time in doctor’s offices and hospitals as a child. The doctors really influenced my interest in learning about the human anatomy. Each time I went to the doctor I was trying to learn something new. I read every poster on the wall, pamphlet in the waiting room, and papers that the doctor gave to me to take home. Around the age of 13 or 14, I became specifically interested in the reproductive system and the miracle of childbirth. Science was still my favorite subject at this point and when we started learning about the reproductive system I began to crave more knowledge every day. The material came so easy to me and I wanted to learn more and more. That is when I decided I wanted to become an obstetrician/ gynecologist. I think my mother had an influence on my decision to want to be an OB/GYN when I grew up. She was a young mother and talked to me about her experiences being pregnant at a young age. She told me about some hard times and some good times, and I wanted to become an OB/GYN so that I could help out mothers during those complicated times. I see quite a lot of children suffer from defects or injuries from birth. My cousin suffers from mental retardation because the doctors used forceps to pull him out by his head. There are also many children that suffer from Autism, Down Syndrome, and many other birth defects. I want to be a doctor so that I may help families decrease the risks of contracting one of these conditions and make sure the babies are delivered safely every time.
My career path now that I am in college has changed slightly. I decided that I would become a Labor and Delivery Nurse before attending Medical School. I made the decision to go into nursing so that I can afford Medical School a little bit easier and so I can gain more knowledge about delivery processes before becoming a doctor. It may take me a little while longer to become a doctor, but I think being a nurse first will make me a better doctor. I also want to obtain my Master's degree to become a Nurse Anesthetist. I decided I wanted also wanted to become a Nurse Anesthetist so I could widen my horizons in the nursing field and work in many different medical settings.
My career plans have changed a bunch from the time I was 6 years old, but I am happy with my decision to become a nurse. I am excited to see what the future holds for me and all the little children and families that I come into contact with.