Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse by Lauren

Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse by Lauren - November 2023 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, I wished for "normal" parents - ones born in the US, who didn't pronounce words differently and allowed more freedom. Despite my attempts to fit in, I always felt like the odd one out. In elementary and middle school, I struggled with feeling inferior due to my “different” culture. To compensate, I became "the smart kid," maintaining a sky-high GPA, achieving a near perfect ACT score, and pursuing knowledge both in and out of the classroom, taking rigorous AP and honors courses, and actively engaging in extracurricular activities, school sports, and volunteering.

My academic prowess led my peers to expect Ivy-League attendance and a prestigious career. However, despite immense pressure from everyone, I wanted to pick a career path that allowed me to embrace my culture and creativity.

My fascination with marketing began at the age of six, when I saw a Barbie Dreamhouse commercial. I vividly remember the upbeat music, the glitz and glam of the doll's clothes, and the little girl playing with the dollhouse. That was the day I became captivated by marketing. I dreamt of being the person behind the scenes, designing advertisements and influencing society through personal experiences and my Caribbean culture.

To achieve my dream, I plan to attend a university with a strong marketing program, likely double majoring in marketing and advertising or marketing and graphic design. I aim to explore both the logistical and creative sides of the industry, by utilizing on-campus resources, and seeking research opportunities, internships, and networking programs. Studying abroad is also one of goals, in order to broaden my horizons, gain new perspectives, and have international experiences. Through internships, I hope to form meaningful connections with professors and industry experts, learning through hands-on experience with guidance from experts.

By maximizing my undergraduate opportunities, drawing from my diverse cultural insights, and maintaining dedication, I aim to set myself up for a successful career in marketing management and creative direction. This scholarship would alleviate the financial burden of college, helping me achieve my childhood dream.

If I could go back in time, I'd encourage my younger self to embrace her culture, not worry about what others think, and focus on academic excellence and personal growth. I'd emphasize the pride of being Caribbean, cherishing memories of jerk chicken patties, Trinidadian sayings, and Soca music. I'd also express deep gratitude for my mother, who, despite being a single parent, made tremendous sacrifices to provide me with resources and a private school education. I’d tell her to always do her best and to always be herself. Such lessons can be applied to my career as I try to use my culture and experiences to create new campaigns and designs to diversify the media, as I strive to break into and succeed in the competitive marketing industry and do that in my own way.

As I aim to use my culture and experiences to create new campaigns and designs to diversify the media, I think of the little girl watching TV, seeing that Barbie AD, and wondering why no one ever looked like me.
That Barbie commercial changed my life; it made me sure of what I want to do in the future and how I want to make an impact on this world. As long as my marketing makes one little girl feel like she is enough and that she is just as worthy and deserving as everyone else, then I would have achieved my goal of making a difference in this industry. That is why I want to go to college – to achieve my childhood dreams, to spread positivity, and to make a difference by increasing diverse representation in the media.