How Entrepreneurship Ignited My Passion for Finance by Vivianna

How Entrepreneurship Ignited My Passion for Finance by Vivianna - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

In my junior year, I had the opportunity to take a Business Entrepreneurship class. At first, I didn’t expect much from it. I saw it only as a filler class, something to make up empty space in my schedule. Walking in, I fully believed it would be another boring class, where I would have to fight through my drowsiness. However, I was gladly mistaken. My business teacher didn’t just love business- she lived it, and her enthusiasm for this subject reflected onto her students, including me.

My teacher introduced us to the principles of entrepreneurship. We learned the in’s and out’s of business. From the fundamentals of building a business to how to manage finances effectively, it gave me an in depth insight that I never knew before. However, this class wasn’t only centered about business jargon, we also dwelled into how to build your character and mindset. We were encouraged to think like entrepreneurs: problem-solvers, risk takers, and innovators. This shift in perspective had a profound effect on me. I began to see the world around me differently, looking at challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation.

As the class progressed, I quickly was drawn to the financial side of it.. I enjoyed constructing financial statements, analyzing them, and understanding risk management. Because of my low-income background, my motivation to understand them was intensified. My parents struggled financially when they moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States. They didn’t have the financial literacy needed to build them the stable life they envisioned for themselves and their family.

Growing up, I didn’t fully understand the weight of these challenges, but now, with the knowledge gained from my business class, I can reflect on how deeply their struggles shaped my perspective. Not knowing how to help my parents back then, this class gave me the tools I can use to not only help my family but others who are facing similar struggles. It illuminated how critical it is to have money comprehension and sparked my passion for pursuing a career in finance.

The Business Entrepreneurship class reshaped my goals for the future. I was so inspired by this class, I eagerly asked my counselor to place me in my business teacher’s Accounting class for my senior year, which she complied. By doing this, I am not only deepening my financial skills but also a sense of purpose. In college and beyond, I aim to use the leadership skills and valuable knowledge to work towards building the successful future my parents wanted for me. In doing so, I am helping others do the same for themselves.