A Journey in Reflection by Tasbia

A Journey in Reflection by Tasbia - August 2024 Scholarship Essay

My dream career is in mobile app development. With over 90% of people in the United States owning cell phones, there’s potential to make a real impact.
I started app development through participating in Technovation Girls 2023. I recruited a team and created an app addressing body image, a problem we could only shallowly relate to. We struggled to think of unique and effective features and ended up only placing as quarterfinalists.

This year, I led my team in picking an issue we were all passionate about: Fast fashion. After surveying 50+ people, we discovered the root cause of the problem: A lack of knowledge about sustainable, affordable options. To combat this, we developed a catalog of low-budget sustainable brands and a thrift store locator. I also set up meetings with owners of sustainable brands, including the CEO of Subset, to learn how a business can be unique.

Our innovative idea of a dress-up game using real sustainable clothing helped us become one of the five world finalists in Technovation Girls 2024! Next, I plan on tackling strategies for mental health strains in academic life. I hope to continue working on solving issues I care about through technology, growing and reflecting every step of the way.