Through my experience working at the International Institute for the Brain, I had the privilege of working with children who were diagnosed with a variety of neurological conditions, and which were primarily non-ambulatory. My experience here taught me how I could help improve not only a person's engagement with life, but I also became aware of their emotional and psychological needs. One child, in particular, had a large impact on me. She was bright and curious about her environment. At the beginning, I would observe her struggling to keep up with sensory activities, motor coordination, and communication. It was difficult seeing her go through the struggles of trying to do things she enjoyed and wanted to do, but was still unable to do on her own. It was her frustration and emotions which made me aware of how the simplest things could be taken for granted. Her journey reaffirmed my belief that occupational therapy is not just about helping people recover, but about empowering them to reconnect with their world and their own sense of belonging. Over the course of my time with her, I assisted in various therapies aimed at implementing individualized activities to help engage and improve her motor and sensory skills, as well as make her feel confident in her abilities to perform actions. At first, she had a hard time interacting with her environment. Her hands were hypersensitive, and holding objects was nearly impossible for her. She would become overwhelmed by everyday sensory experiences, withdrawing into herself, unable to explore the world around her. Through the therapies tailored to her individual needs, therapies that focused on sensory integration and motor coordination, included in her individualized education plan, we began to make progress. I witnessed firsthand how personalized therapies, combined with a team-oriented approach, can help children gain skills, build confidence, and develop a sense of independency. I was also inspired by the therapists, parents, and teachers who came together to create a supportive and holistic environment for these children. It takes not only just the occupational therapist to make progress, but a team as well. Occupational therapy’s emphasis on individualized care and meaningful connections can make a large difference in someone's life and that is largely why I am pursuing this field of healthcare. I don't only want to aim to provide care to people in need, but I hope to continue advocating for the expansion of what occupational therapy can do in a persons life.

It has taken me a bit to fully comprehend who I am and what is my purpose in life, but that has been something that I have learned will change and grow throughout my life experiences. I am a part of the first-generational students who go to college and with that I have learned that I may face some doubts from my own self, but I have also learned that that is what keeps going. I am a chemistry major pursuing a pre-med pathway at the University at Buffalo. I am entering as a second year and part of the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) at my school. Previously, I entered my first year of college as a member of this program to learn how other women in STEM related fields have opportunities and goals similar to mine, and now as a sophomore, I am becoming more involved and participating as a student volunteer/mentor for my school's welcome weekend. What I have come to realized is that my biggest influences in my life are the women around me. They have showed me that no matter what challenge or obstacle I may be faced with in a field "male-dominated", I have the power to decide how far I will make it in this area; How far I am willing to push my limits and reach my goals. The women around me are the reason why I chose to pursue a STEM career. They've showed me how the impossible is possible and that even though society may treat women unequal, I choose how I approach them. I want to become a doctor. I want to inspire more women and girls that are just starting to see the world for what it is. I want to open doors and help the less fortunate. I want to provide the utmost care for low-income communities. I want to advocate for change, and I want to be able to play a role in expanding the tech and STEM industry to more women just like me because I believe it is important for society to have an equal representation in these areas. I know these ideas and beliefs may seem far-fetched to some people. I know that I may or may not be able to reach these goals entirely in my lifetime, but I know that with what I have seen at my college with programs such as WiSE, women will be able to have an equal representation in STEM and one day will be treated with the utmost respect and equality that they have long deserved.

I was experiencing a murder, the earth being murdered, that is. Growing up in a society that treasures materialism over expression and actions, I became someone who didn't acknowledge the truth. I knew about climate change and what it was. I knew of the consequences or at least some... And as I became older, I figured the reality of the issue dealing with the environment. Seeing animals losing their habitats, experiencing a drastic change in the temperature and climate, seeing ice caps beginning to melt away, while fires blazed through acres and acres of land. All of this in a matter of months and days. This lit a spark in me. I thought of no better way than to showcase my emotions and thoughts through art. Through painting and drawing, I showcased my view on climate change. I researched this topic and jumped into a world of seeking change and even more. I began to surround myself with people who felt the same way. Friends who became vegetarians and vegans. Family who used their platforms to bring attention to the environmental crises. Through my art, I felt more connected to an issue than ever before. But, the sad truth is, if no change is done, there will be no future. Dreams are starting to be crushed by our own selfish actions, and yet some people can't pick up a piece of trash and put it in a garbage can. Some people, who have the money and power to create a large influence on this issue, use it for materialistic items, that only last for 10 minutes. I hope to reach larger audiences through my art, and light a spark in them like I had that began my journey on discovering my reason for being on this earth. Helping it.

Education, according to Google is "the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university". To me, education serves a higher purpose. My parents told me countless times to get an education for that is something they never fully had as teenagers. They grew up in El Salvador where opportunities don't run free compared to where we reside now. It was hard for them to receive a good education when what they had to do to survive was work. It became a decision of what's more important to survive in their case and due to this, working was their only option to turn to. My parents never got to experience a full and "traditional" education, but thankfully, for what they have sacrificed, education plays the role of setting the path for me and my siblings to succeed; education to me is something that teaches me countless lessons and allows me to grow. Education plays the role of building me up and getting me ready for college or wherever I land. It makes me realize that we are the future of the world and we can change our outcomes through our actions and decisions. I know too many people who believe education is becoming unnecessary since many jobs prefer skill and experience over education and knowledge, but to me, in my case, education creates that experience that builds up my character and shows what I can accomplish under pressure and under environmental conditions that we face throughout our daily lives. Education offers that sense of communication and analytical thinking which prepares me for the future; it's what allows me to learn from my mistakes and carry on.

I’ve had difficulties with realizing when I need help, when I need guidance. Help was once something I never turned to. I felt as though it showed a sign of weakness, and I never wanted to be painted as someone who was weak and in need of help, but help was something I needed to reach for in order to grow. My algebra 2 teacher once told us about a student who never put enough effort into learning about math, but when it came to sports practice, he was the first to really show up and put time and effort into it. He wanted to grow in this sport, but my teacher told us about the balance that he needed to implement into his daily life for him to grow academically and physically. I was a quiet student in her class. I didn’t feel ready enough to show how much potential I had and sometimes that would get to me. When I heard her tell us this story, I felt connected to it. My previous year in geometry wasn’t a year I’m too proud of. It had difficulties and I had problems with understanding the material, yet I never turned to look for help. She showed me what it took to show your true potential. She believed in me and I guess that’s really why I began to have trust in her and show what I really had inside of me. I prospered in her class, but it was really because of her. She’s my role model. Someone who brought out the best in me when I didn’t believe in myself; when I lost all faith in my capabilities to understand math at a rigorous level. Through what she has taught me, I’m able to actually know when I should talk to someone and when I should reach inside of me and do my best to figure out the solutions to problems. She made me feel as though I could do anything and with the love she grew in me for math, I even took the chance to begin tutoring students which is something I never thought of doing. I guess she taught me how to pay it forwards and give that confidence that I once lacked to other students in the same situation I was in.