A Purpose by Lauren

A Purpose by Lauren - November 2023 Scholarship Essay

Grappling with the inevitability that my dream in life will likely test my hope and patience with humanity is something that I know will be difficult. However, knowing it will also give me a sense of purpose that I have never experienced squashes my fears and reminds me of what is most important to me in life.

Virtually everything about me has changed since I was a little kid. I’ve switched from loud and crazy to a total introvert, never caring about my looks to a clothes enthusiast. However, one thing that has remained constant my entire life is my empathy and passion for animals. Since I was a child, I knew my purpose in life was to work with animals. It stemmed from an obsession with the stuffed animals I would get on special occasions. I could never get rid of any of them and gave them each a turn being my favorite, sharing my bed and even my food with them. Getting to interact with real versions of the animals I loved so much seemed like a pipe dream, at least until my 13th birthday. I was gifted the opportunity to feed giraffes at the Saint Louis Zoo, my fixation at the time. The experience changed the trajectory of my life. I saw a female zookeeper in action, getting up close and personal with a giraffe four times her size. She knew everything about it, answering all of my pestering questions with ease. I was so amazed at the behind-the-scenes that from then on, I could only ever envision myself standing in that zookeeper's place.

At 13, I didn’t see any flaws in society. At most, I would be stressed about a test or what I wanted for Christmas. It wasn’t until 7th or 8th grade that I became fully aware of the state of the world around me. Climate change, poaching, endangered species, deforestation, and more came crashing down on me. Realizing that the world would destroy something so beautiful and natural was, and still is heartbreaking. I have become less and less patient with the world as I become more aware of the problems facing it. No matter what animal I work with in the future, the biggest problem facing them will be humans. This is a tough pill to swallow, especially considering how nearly impossible it is to find solutions to human-caused problems. Even still, I know that going to school and learning how to best use my skills for the better is something I need to do. I care too much about animals and nature to let them disappear without a fight. College is the step that will allow me to make the biggest difference. Without college, I will likely never make it to the point in a career in zoology in which I can make a real impact. I strive to make a difference and stop the decline of the natural world, and college is my way to do that.