Unexpected Impact by Kaitlyn

Unexpected Impact by Kaitlyn - December 2019 Scholarship Essay

My name is Kaitlyn Roberts. I am a freshman and first generation student at the University of Lynchburg applying for the Varsity Tutors College Scholarship. I plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. With this, I will attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology. For a while, I was torn between an Education major and a major relating to physical therapy. The plan that I have laid out will give me a nice balance of both the education and physical therapy aspects that I had difficulty deciding between. As a Speech-Language Pathologist I will work to improve speech, language, communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. I hope to work in an educational or health care setting.
To begin, I have selected this career path because I have always had a strong passion for teaching and helping others. I starting taking martial arts classes when I was eight years old and when I turned fourteen I was offered the opportunity to teach my own classes. I was not aware at the time of how great of an impact this organization and opportunity would have on my life. Teaching allowed me to explore my natural ability of leadership. I was in complete control of my class planners, disciplinary action for my students, private lessons and more. Through this experience, I was able to make connections with my students and truly leave an impression on them that I often times was told carried over into their home and school lives. Parents used to tell me that my encouragement and dedication to my students success led to a noticeable increase in their child’s confidence. Knowing that I was a role model and mentor for young minds made me a better person. I began to hold myself to higher standards and learned a great deal about accountability. I no longer was responsible for just my training, but for the training of 50 students as well. It brought me much joy to know that my impact was bigger than just martial arts.
Additionally, I know I have the ability to leave a similar impact on my future patients. As a Speech-Language Pathologist I will work closely with patients regarding deficits in their speech, language and communication skills. I will still have the aspect of teaching in my daily life while dedicating my life to being a medical professional and helping others. I will use my leadership skills to keep my patients on track with their treatment plans. It will not always be easy but I know that by holding my patients accountable for their health, we will find success together. Having difficulty speaking can have a detrimental effect on an individual’s self-confidence. Unfortunately, this is not a blemish where you can simply put on makeup and cover it up. I believe that by improving speech issues in my patients I will also be improving their self-confidence. I will also be able to form connections with my patients and be someone they trust with their health.
In conclusion, winning this award would help tremendously with continuing on the path to further my education and eventually become an established Speech-Language Pathologist. With this money, I would be able to afford my books for my next semester and cover the costs for other supplies and materials I may need. Thank you kindly for your consideration.