My Major My Story. by Veronika

My Major My Story. by Veronika - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

Veronika Wiggins
Varsity Tutors Scholarship
Scholarship
15 May 2023
Word count: 885
My Major My Story
Young adults grow to understand the world through their own perspective, shaping the way they think and the way they drive for their goals is how the world is changed into the vision of future leaders. I have always been driven at school even when it did not come easy for me. When I was young I was diagnosed with a language deficit and ADHD making learning in a classroom extremely taxing and difficult. I learned to cope with this and have thrived in school earning a place in the top ten in my graduating class with a 4.2 while being the most active person in school.
I have always been a fast-moving person, it is what helped me stay involved in all the different clubs and has also opened up a variety of different opportunities. For my whole life career options seemed limitless, amazing jobs that make society function such as the military, police officers, and firefighters…All fields that are dominated by men. Though women are making strides in these professions more men hold positions in these fields and coincidentally all the fields that I have had an interest in pursuing. All of these fields have presented themselves to me at a time that seemed imperative. I considered joining the military when I was younger as someone close to my family enlisted, considered the force when I got older and had the chance to learn about the K9 unit, and finally the squad when the JLB program was granted the privilege of observing and interacting with the squad in their routine. These interests held me occupied for a time but it never felt right. Last summer I was given an opportunity to intern with the E.O Wilson Biophilia Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping injured animals and teaching visitors about the ecosystem and the roles each animal plays in it. The center allows visitors to interact with the animals to enhance learning, making it a fun memorable experience. I spent three days a week during the summer at the center doing various tasks such as helping care for the animals, maintaining the grounds, and most importantly educating the visitors about the wildlife they see and interact with. The center has had a positive role on every person who has had the amazing opportunity to visit it, especially me. I have always thought that softball was my happy place, I have played since I was three and my best memories have been made on the field until Biophilia. At the center there is a feeling that I can not put into words. The animals are fascinating, the grounds are beautiful, and the people who work there love their work. The work I have done at the center has driven me to pursue a career in wildlife conservation.
Wildlife conservation is a field of science, those who are in this field study not only animals but also their environment. I will be continuing my education at Thomas University majoring in biology. By studying biology I will have training in principles, methods, and tools used in researching wildlife conservation. After receiving a bachelor's in biology I hope to then pursue a master's in animal behavior. Being able to know the normal behavior of an animal can help us treat them to the best of our ability. Although each animal has their unique personality it is imperative to the nature of their species. This field of science is dominated by males however I think that once I undergo my studies I will be a shoe to the top job offered.
Animals are unbelievable, they have a connection to nature that we humans are still trying to comprehend. There are several animals that I hope to one day work with many being endangered from sea turtles to elephants but each one is critical for the environment. I have so much to learn before I can successfully venture out into the world to help save our animals and even then each day will be a learning experience. One day I would like to open my conservation refuge for sick or injured animals to heal so that they can be released back into the wild but also where humans can come to learn more about the animals that surround them. Humans are a leading cause of animal extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and so much more but it is not because we are evil, it’s because we are ignorant. Animal species are wondrous, even after this long we are still discovering more about every animal. I want to be part of the fight to give animals their best chance at a thriving life.
We only have one wildlife, once a species goes extinct we will never see them again which puts into perspective how important it is for us to protect them. I love all animals from reptiles to amphibians to mammals and beyond, however, one animal has stood out above the rest. Elephants are crucial to the environment, should they disappear the entire ecosystem would suffer and potentially crumble. My dream is to one day work with them among other animals but first I must be successful in my studies.