I am pursuing welding because I love it. I have specific learning disabilities. School was miserable for me. What came easily for everyone else was extremely difficult for me. That changed when my high school Design and Engineering Academy teacher, Mr. Walker, taught me to weld. Finally, something made sense. Finally, I was the smart one, the talented one, and finally, I was good at something. I could look at the weld I had just done, SEE that I had accomplished something, and be proud. After my trade education, I plan to become certified through the AWS in as many areas as possible. I want to learn as many areas of my career as I can. I have taken Welding 101 and 102 in addition to what I learned in high school. Every time I think I have a direction picked out, I learn something new and consider a new direction. What I know for sure is that my career will be in welding. I can work full-time doing something that makes me incredibly happy and proud. The part where I can provide myself and my son a good life while I do it is an amazing bonus. Not many single parents get the chance to have their dream career. I am incredibly fortunate that not pursuing my dream career is not a sacrifice I feel the need to make as a solo parent. As I mentioned in my profile bio, my previous education experiences were difficult due to my specific learning disabilities. It was not until I entered the shop and learned welding that I found an education setting where I belonged. One out of seven classes is not great odds for success academically, which led to me dropping out. I then entered a relationship that was not a good choice and had my son when I was 18. When my son was four months old, his father was discharged from the military. He refused to treat his medical issues, and the relationship deteriorated to an unsustainable level. One night, he became enraged and attacked me. I was able to get myself and our son to safety. It was clear that I needed a new life plan yesterday. While the court process took place in the state where we were stationed, my son and I moved back to California with my family. I focused on physically and mentally recovering myself and our son. I sought out any resources I could find for medical care, education, etc. When the state illegally denied my son medical benefits, I took the county to a state hearing and got his benefits reinstated. I learned to drive. I got a scholarship through the county library to the online career high school so I could get my high school diploma while I was home with the baby. How did I work through adversity? I worked. I got a little bit done every day. Failure is not an option. If something got in my way, I learned how to take it to the next level or find another way to accomplish what was needed. I studied government agency policies and procedures (I had Google read them to me), asked my mom to help me write letters (she works for a law firm), and contacted the County Board of Supervisors. I overcame adversity by refusing to accept any other result. I plan to approach my career with the same focus. My welding education GPA is 3.5. I appreciate your consideration.