Perfecting the Skill of Leadership by Amber

Perfecting the Skill of Leadership by Amber - April 2026 Scholarship Essay

After college, I plan to pursue a career in construction management so I can build a stable and independent future. I chose this field because it is practical, hands-on, and allows me to use leadership and problem-solving skills in a way that produces real results. The best skill that I could develop for this position is team leadership as it is the backbone of management. I plan to gain experience in the field and work toward a project management certification to continue advancing professionally. I am going to be attending Kansas State University to get my degree in construction management. To further expand my leadership skills I am planning on being heavily involved by joining clubs and tutoring. These will give me more opportunities to demonstrate leadership and practice before I get my job. To get more insight and experience in leadership I am going to do an internship every summer and the summer after high school I am going to work as a manager.
I am planning so intuitively because one of my main goals after graduation is to pay off my college debt and become financially self-sufficient. I grew up with financial instability and I do not want to continue that life. While my family has supported me emotionally throughout high school and encouraged my education, they are not able to provide financial support for college. I will be largely responsible for covering my education and living expenses, which has pushed me to take my future seriously to stay on track and do everything possible for success. My motivation comes largely from my mother, who is my mentor in an unconventional way. She has worked hard to overcome significant challenges and build a better life, and watching her determination has shaped my own work ethic. She has battled through heroin and methamphetamine addiction but now she has worked so hard and is a manager herself. Her growth has shown me the importance of responsibility, persistence, and planning for the future. The most impactful skill I learned was persistence and I plan on using this skill to further my progress and ability to succeed with leadership. Through construction management I'm going to build more than projects. I am going to be a leader in building collaborative environments.