Restoration and Improvement of Urban Infrastructure by Patrick

Restoration and Improvement of Urban Infrastructure by Patrick - February 2020 Scholarship Essay

While discussing my plans for the future, Mom suggested that I consider careers that leverage my natural talents. I was not sure what those were so I focused on identifying my strengths, interests and goals. I learned that I am a deliberate, disciplined problem solver who enjoys math, my #1 strength is “restoration” (per StrengthFinders) and I am an “INTP - The Architect” personality type (per Myers Briggs). Since I am interested in learning how civil, structural and environmental engineering principles are used in an innovative way to improve urban infrastructure, I decided to study civil engineering and start my own architectural engineering non-for-profit firm called "Building Inspiration". My plans are supported by the National Academy of Engineering who considers the “restoration and improvement of urban infrastructure” one of the most critical worldwide challenges and the American Society of Civil Engineers who rated US infrastructure unsatisfactory (D+). I am so pleased that I identified what I like to do, what I am naturally good at and how I can use those interests to fulfill my dreams and improve the lives of those living in underserved communities.

Although I am 100% positive that my interests will evolve, I am confident describing what matters to me. I even dream about it. In one of my recurring dreams, I am 10 years older, a few years out of college, talking to friends about the beautiful, functional and sustainable buildings I have designed in impoverished neighborhoods. Although the dream details are fuzzy, I always want to linger with those happy thoughts, knowing that my work has improved people’s lives. Improvement to me is measured by the mental, physical and educational health of the building’s occupants, the neighborhood’s air and water quality and the cost, difficulty and complexity of building maintenance.

Thinking back, I see how my interest in architectural engineering grew out of serving others. The diversity of my service reflected the needs I encountered (lack of opportunity, food, shelter, companionship). However, my greatest service and blessing happened when I simply made a friend. I became a Fresh Air Fund host, a non-profit providing summer experiences to children from NYC’s underserved communities. Amal, son of a single Ecuadorian woman, traveled to my home when we were 6. Returning annually for 12 years, Amal taught me about life in his tough neighborhood and I taught him new life-skills (i.e. swimming, bicycling, driving a car) so he could have fun and not worry about money, drugs or gangs. Our friendship improved our lives. His self-confidence grew and I learned how to “do good works”. I would like to do the same with my engineering career. I now know that underserved neighborhoods, like Amal’s, need strong engineering expertise and I would love my non-profit firm to provide it.

Your scholarship will lessen my debt and keep my dreams alive. Thank you!