Persistence Pays by Leah

Persistence Pays by Leah - September 2015 Scholarship Essay

From a very early age, I had a dream…a dream that took different shapes and forms throughout my childhood, but ultimately had the same goal: to become a veterinarian. I desire to express my compassion for large and small animals by learning how to properly care for them.
During my junior year, I composed a resume to give to multiple vet offices around my community. Visiting six different veterinary hospitals, I dropped off my resume and asked if they had any job openings, with efforts of making the best first impression I possibly could present. After completing these nerve-racking visits, I waited. I received no response to the resume that I so expectantly distributed. Disheartened, I realized that in order to receive a position, I would have to take my efforts a step further and change my expectations.
One veterinary office, in particular, was at the top of my list. Everyone around town said this doctor was the absolute best, and if I could shadow him, I would learn a great deal and gain invaluable experience. So, with the encouragement of my parents, I visited his office and personally talked to him. He told me that he had no jobs available, but I could have some shadowing time. We talked about my career aspirations and where I planned to attend vet school. Concluding our conversation, he told me to check back after school let out for the summer. Promptly after the last day of school, I revisited the office. I was unable to secure a solid answer as to when I could come by and begin shadowing. I gave up for the summer due to another job opportunity I received.
Another year passed by and I realized that I must find an opportunity to expose myself to veterinary medicine whether it came in the form of a job or simply shadowing time. With a renewed hope, I ventured back to the vet I visited the previous summer. Upon my fifth visit, I waited two hours to talk to the vet. By now, he knew my name whenever he saw my face in the waiting room. He talked to me and I pulled out my planner, intentionally requesting a specific day I could spend at the office. He gave me a slot for the next Wednesday. Persistence had finally paid off.
Feeling exhilarating nervousness, I stepped into the animal hospital the next week at the appointed time. I immediately felt at home. The doctor allowed me to see everything he saw, not wanting to shield me from anything and allowing me to see if this career path was right for me. From cow pregnancy checks to canine ACL surgery, I fell in love with the veterinary profession and was able to solidify my career plans. I have now been shadowing for a total of three months and have gained priceless knowledge that I would not have been able to acquire if I had solely sought a job opportunity.
By giving up the aspiration for a paycheck and taking advantage of the offer presented to me, I was ultimately granted access to a career-defining, life-changing experience. Through the process of pursuing this opportunity, I have gained valuable experience in applying for a job, interviewing, working with the public, maintaining professionalism in every job situation, and thus, becoming a better student outside of school in the school of life. Amidst rejection and dismissal, I have learned to be persistent and not give up on my goals. If continued, an incomparable reward will eventually present itself.