Being a non-traditional college student shouldn't only be seen through the clouds of age. When I realized at the age of 29 that I wanted to return to school to pursue nursing, I was met with both negativity and deterrence from a few people around me (myself included), and positivity and encouragement. I knew that making such a drastic life change would be difficult, but it would be necessary in order to get to where I wanted to in life. At the time, I thought that it was the change that I feared, but instead it was the possibility of failure that kept me wide-eyed. Nonetheless, I made up my mind to take a chance on myself.
As I began to place a plan into motion, the steps seemed to get shorter and the incline a bit less. I realized heading into this new chapter of my life that like a game of chess, it's a bit easier to succeed when aware of the possibilities. It is through chess that I learned that it is not only that one must remain constantly aware of their surroundings and of the possibilities that exist, but that premeditated action must be taken in order to increase the chances of success. For it is through these taken chances that we are given a greater and wider world view.
To be a nurse, the world must be viewed through a lens of compassion and understanding. A lens with a strength to match the clear, up-close views that nurses get at humanities pains and triumphs. Growing up, I knew that helping people is what I wanted to do. When my grandma would get sick, I'd be up early to make sure she was okay. Though young, I would help with getting her cups of tea or coffee, food and medicine. Now, en-route to becoming a nurse practitioner and CRNA, I wish my grandma could see me.
My goal is to help our community the way I wish I could've helped my grandma. A community that is beautiful and strongly cohered, yet has been riddled with poor health stemming from the inability to afford healthcare. As a nurse practitioner, I plan to offer free healthcare services to our border community to those who cannot afford to visit a doctor's office. I would also like to offer harm reduction services to members of our community who struggle with substance use disorder. In a country as great and prosperous as ours, not one person should go without having the ability to receive compassionate healthcare.
Just as in a game of chess, I've taken a good look at who and what surrounds me. I've done all I can to plan ahead in order to ensure my survival on this path to becoming a healthcare worker. I've considered that what-ifs; what if i don't pass this class or what if my next move lands me in between a Rook and hard place? But also, what if I graduate top of my class or save a life? I've thought of as much as I could and have tried to prepare accordingly. But alas, we never truly know life's next move. When I look around and see all these different faces, all I could think is that we are all someone's child. Just kids who had to grow up and try to figure life out. I'll never pretend to have it figured out - life and all it encompasses, but I'm certain that my desire to help people will forever be a piece of the puzzle that makes me, me.
My career goal is to work in the National Basketball Association (NBA). I am passionate about basketball and have been playing since childhood. As a result, I have developed an extensive understanding of the game and its subtleties, which has enabled me to appreciate its nuances as well as recognize potential strategies for success. My ultimate objective is to use this knowledge to help teams and players maximize their on-court performance while also helping them build successful careers off of it.
Playing chess has greatly helped me develop my skills that will be necessary for working in the NBA. Chess requires strategizing ahead multiple steps, anticipating your opponent’s moves, staying focused even when under pressure, adapting quickly to changing situations during play, and being creative in problem-solving. All of these skills are applicable to the NBA environment, where decisions have to be made quickly and accurately while also taking into consideration any potential next steps that could arise.
Additionally, playing chess has taught me how to think outside of the box when it comes to tackling problems or challenges. It is essential for teams and players alike in the NBA to be able to adjust their strategies on a moment’s notice due to changes in personnel or team dynamics, so being able to come up with creative solutions is very important. Chess requires one to constantly evaluate different options and consider multiple paths at once; this skill can be used effectively by coaches and staff members within an organization since they must make critical decisions based on what will be best for the team in the long run.
Finally, playing chess has also taught me how to better assess risks and rewards associated with certain moves or decisions. In any sport, there is a risk-reward ratio that must be taken into account when evaluating potential outcomes of an action; this concept can be applied directly to decision making within teams and organizations. By understanding which risks are worth taking and which ones should be avoided, staff members can employ strategies that will optimize the chances of success for their respective teams.
Overall, my experience playing chess has helped me develop key skills related to strategizing, problem-solving, risk assessment and creative thinking - all of which are essential for working in the NBA. These abilities have given me the confidence to pursue my career goal of working in the NBA, where I am determined to use my knowledge and experience to help teams and players reach their maximum potential.
