The Year of Goals by Monica

The Year of Goals by Monica - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

As I begin my 2nd year of college, there has been lots of reflection about my freshman year accomplishments, and what impact I want to leave this upcoming school year. Being a first-generation student, I struggle at times, feeling as if I’m behind the game. Hearing my peers talk about internships they participated in during high school, or all these networking events they participated in - it definitely made me think I was out of the loop. However, I want to get out of this mindset this school year. This is something I believe has slightly discouraged me from pursuing things over the past school year.
With said determination, it has pursued roles with The Water Institute as a communications assistant and UNC GoHeels as an intern. I am excited to strengthen my storytelling skills and social media work with 2 industry sectors I have always had a strong passion for. At the Water Institute, I am working towards a global effort to reduce ongoing lead contamination in water within lower to middle-income countries. My work involves drafting communications to various stakeholders, preparing presentations, and helping maintain knowledge management systems that would advance the understanding of lead exposure and its risks. This opportunity excites me because it allows me to contribute to a cause that has a tangible, life-changing impact.
At the same time, my internship with UNC GoHeels will allow me to explore another life long passion - sports media and storytelling. I’ll be helping promote UNC’s D1 teams through creative content and social media, capturing the teamwork and spirit that brings our campus community together. It’s a unique opportunity to develop my creative skills while engaging with a large and enthusiastic audience.
Through these positions, I aspire to not only grow professionally but also make meaningful contributions. Whether by helping inform global health strategies or strengthening the sense of pride among fans. I want my work to matter to the people who see it, interact with it, and are impacted by it.
What drives me most is the vision of who I want to become. I’m motivated by my mother’s sacrifices, which in the end have given me the chance to be in my current position, and by the thought of helping other first-generation students realize that they, too, belong in every space they step into.
This year, my aspirations come from growth and courage. I want to challenge myself in all aspects and leave an impact with every project I am a part of. Most importantly, I want to prove to myself that I belong and have been able to build my own path.