Contribute: For Others and For Myself by Samantha

Contribute: For Others and For Myself by Samantha - January 2018 Scholarship Essay

When I initially saw this scholarship the essay prompt did not appear all that daunting. However, when I actually sat down and began to think of a single word that I believed encompassed my desire to go to college I realized the task was not so easy. Of course basic answers such as achieve, support, and future came to mind but I quickly realized that almost all students had those things as driving factors behind their desire for higher education. The problem with words like those is that they encompassed only how a higher education could benefit me personally, where it could lead me, how it could help me. I quickly realized that my desire for higher education does not entirely lie in my desire to support myself in the future, but in my desire to contribute to the lives of people around me.

The definition of contribute it "to give in order to help achieve or provide something" and that is exactly the desire I have, both while in college, and once I graduate with my degree. Working with people with disabilities has always been a passion of mine and through my work with those individuals I have realized that sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest impact. I don't need to alter the course of the life of every person I meet, but I do hope to positively contribute to their lives, whether by sharing my ideas about a topic and giving a new perspective, or simply offering an encouraging smile to someone that's feeling down.

Another reason that I feel "contribute" describes my desire for higher education is because of my choice in degree. Also as a result of my experiences with individuals with disabilities, I have decided that I want to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. It is a dream of mine to be in a profession where, every day, I can make a difference and contribute to the people in my community. I can't imagine a more profound way of contributing to a person's life than by giving them the gift of communication with the world. Higher education is the first step to achieving this dream of contributing to my community.

The final reason that I feel "contribute" is a good way to describe my wanting to go to college is actually one for more personal gain. Coming from a small town there is much of the world that I have yet to experience and I hope that in college that may change. I hope that all of the new people I meet and experiences I have will contribute to my growth as a person and fill me with new perspectives and a unique background which will shape me as I move forward. I know that each new professor and student has something to contribute to my learning about the world, good or bad, that will, in turn, shape the person I become in the future.

In conclusion, I feel as though my desire to contribute to the lives of others, as well as my hope for their contributions to me, make me deserving of support as I move towards college. I so strongly want to make a impact in other's lives and I know that there are so many new people that will leave a lasting impact on me through their own contributions to my life.