Finding Your Voice by Theresa

Finding Your Voice by Theresa - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." The value and purpose of an education does not lie in books, but in one's personal development. Education is a period of self-discovery, a time when one finds his or her voice, and is given the tools to project that voice to the world.

Entering college, I had grand ideas of what I wanted to be when I grew up. Little did I know, my education would challenge everything I thought I wanted out of life. The road to my degree stretched me in every way possible: mentally, emotionally and spiritually. After transferring my sophomore year, I had finally found a place where I could blossom. At my Alma Mater, I felt at home, and was given the support and proverbial push I needed to grow into who I am today. My most memorable experiences were not of lectures, nor of what I read in textbooks. The moments that helped me find my voice and path in life were those I pursued outside the classroom. Moments of growth occurred during conversations with my peers and professors, producing a student Television show and interning in local government.

I learned more about myself in those four years than I ever thought was possible. If it weren't for the rich experiences education provided me, I would not be the same individual. Patience, compassion, tolerance, self-confidence: these were all products of my education. Today, I have chosen to be a public servant and am pursuing a Master's Degree in Management. I want to be a change-agent in government, and use my skills and talents to make a positive impact in the lives of the citizens I serve. My next degree will be yet another "powerful weapon" I can use to create change. My unique voice will be heard thanks to the education I received. That is education's true purpose.