Intrigue: Why Anything Matters by Jennifer

Intrigue: Why Anything Matters by Jennifer - September 2014 Scholarship Essay

Intrigue: Why Anything Matters

Responding to the fifteen word question proposed by Varsity Tutors can be answered with a simple, yet peculiar word known as intrigue. The desire to learn and the yearn for knowledge, the motivation to seek understanding, is the foundation of scholarly contributions to society and is seen throughout known human existence. Curiosity alone does not support well intended college driven endeavors. Acting on the initial spark or intent, and pushing forward in a constant motion will best supply the end result college students and professors seek.

Often, students will encounter a proposed scenario or question, requiring pages of well written assignments and peer-reviewed supplementation. These tasks usually demand responses to a topic, comprised of a few sentences or just a handful of words. In spite of all other obligations a student might face on a daily basis, sitting down to write a meaningful response to assigned projects is often mundane or a bit boring. Conversely, intrigue might be the driving force behind accomplishment and thought provoking opportunities. Each semester of college, fellow students ask how I am able to submit in-depth discussion responses or where I gain motivation. Every time, my response is the same; I watch hours of documentaries to ignite motivation behind topics, and usually write with the voice of Morgan Freeman or Neil DeGrasse Tyson in my mind.

I am a 100% Disabled Combat Veteran. I am a graduate student at Kaplan University, and pursuing a Masters Healthcare Administration degree and hold a 3.75 GPA. I am five courses away from graduation, but struggle with fulfilling tuition and fee requirements. Based on my Military time and service, I have only been awarded post 9/11 GI Bill funding at 80% so the remaining balance must be paid out-of-pocket. When I tell people that I am enrolled in a healthcare administration program, most people assume that I want to manage a hospital or a large medical facility. However, the current medical industry needs people like myself in progressive, healing realms of practice. Healthcare's turnstile of supply and demand which depends upon people remaining sick is an unfortunate truth that many citizen's are literally and figuratively sick of.

You might be wondering why I deserve scholarship monies, or how such a gift would allow you to sleep better at night. The answer is simple. I am infatuated by the exponential potentials of humankind. For as long as we can trace back in human existence, it is evident that health and well being has been a relevant concern for the common good of civilizations across the globe. Indeed, caring for health is founded upon the sharing of skills or practices, passed along from one generation to another and improved upon by the collective insight of many. Sharing wisdom and validating truths is best represented in the medical community via the scientific method. We are constantly asking questions and testing the potentials of infinite possibilities. Digging deeper, thinking the unthinkable, expanding the realms of what can be- this, this is the purpose for each of us. We all reside at different stages of cognitive ability, and in the end, each person's contribution to this planet is exactly what was intended. Whether a king or a peasant, we are fulfilling our purpose and nothing more.

If financially sound businesses, organizations, or individuals were to be asked which type of student would do well with furthering their education, I imagine the resounding answer would be- the one who wants to learn. Knowledge is a powerful device and having the gift is pointless if not used to positively influence the greater good of our infinitesimal portion of existence. The insight, the intrigue I gain through education is aligning me to participate in redirecting our nation's healthcare future. Thoughtful, like-minded organizations who have not fallen victim to greed or powerful persuasion is where I will gravitate. I am reminded of physicist Carl Sagan's rendering of the 'Pale Blue Dot', the only home we have ever known. Although my life might be a fraction of a pixel, suspended on a mote of dust floating through the atmosphere, I intend to make good use of my life- my tiny proportion of the human experience.