Taking the wheel of my future by Veronica

Taking the wheel of my future by Veronica - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If there is one thing I would advise my past self is to act upon my dreams without thinking about others’ opinions. I did not explore many career paths because I was too shy to communicate with others, and it certainly impacted my first career choice. I decided to study dentistry because my father was more proud of me than when I had an interest in fashion. My family was eager to know that I chose a career related to health and medicine. Around the same time, I found comfort in watching the Formula 1 races during the weekends, the sound of cars, and the distinct strategies the teams would apply. Nevertheless, there was no female role model at the time in the sport, so this career path was more masculine and impossible to get into.

I aspired to pursue any job that would not require me to interact with others because I found it to be challenging and mentally draining, yet this was just a limiting belief and a way of protecting myself. After doing shadowing programs, dentistry did not feel like my dream. I was not content with how I envisioned my future in that career, so I decided to study a career in STEM because I realized I performed better when being challenged, thinking analytically, and following steps.

Although it took me a while to stop deciding based on what my family was more content with or what I thought was a safe option, I ended up taking control of my decisions. I stood outside of my comfort zone by acting upon my public speaking fear and took a job as a tutor. Nowadays, I take every leadership opportunity I get in order to mentor others. I also joined a robotics club because I was intrigued by creating prototypes, which intensified my interest in engineering. I am now studying Chemical Engineering because I cherish learning each semester, the thought of working on my childhood F1 dream, and being a potential leader and contributor in the journey towards a more sustainable and greener future.

My past self would not imagine she would be where we are now, yet the constant drive and curiosity have been the driving force towards doing what I enjoy without thinking about what others might think of me or my decisions. While I can not physically give my young self that advice, I can now heal my inner child and encourage others to follow their dreams without thinking about what others might say and think.