Class of 2018
Major: Biomedical Engineering
School: Drexel University
Major: Public Health
School: Temple University
Major: Nursing
School: Widener University
“My main passions are in education, healthcare, and the issues surrounding alternative medicine post-surgery. As of now, I am pursuing my bachelor of science in nursing at Widener University, and I am also concurrently getting certified as an emergency medical technician at Villanova University in conjunction with Twin Valley EMT Training Center. At Widener, I am involved with our Widener University Student Nursing Association, Widener Dance Company, and Pride Pack Dance Team. I am also a Widener Reads/Counts tutor for elementary-aged school children to teach them reading, writing, and math. In the future, after getting certified as an EMT, my goal is to volunteer with our Widener Community Clinic or Community Volunteers in Medicine in West Chester, PA. After graduation, I plan to work in an ICU for two years and then pursue graduate school to obtain a doctorate in nurse anesthesia. I hope to apply research in alternative medicine to help patients be non-dependent on opioids, thus curving the opioid crisis and providing healthier options for post-surgical pain.”
Major: Biology
School: Rutgers University
Major: Recorded Music with a Focus in Social Entrepreneurship
School: New York University
“When talent meets opportunity that’s when magic happens. The best way I can describe my career goals is as such the music industry’s Oprah. What I mean by that is following your passions, to create a legacy that allows you to give to others so that they can do the same. Creating opportunities for young creatives of color who have the passion and drive to create careers in the arts yet don’t know how to. In the future I see myself staring in Broadway productions, performing in stadiums around the world, and changing the lives of young women of color through the creation of my own nonprofit organization.”
Major: Education
Minor: Japanese
School: Temple University
“I am currently pursuing a major in education focusing on early childhood specifically. While pursuing this career goal, I joined an Americorps organization called Jumpstart that has allowed me to get a head start and hands-on experience in the classroom working with children as I help increase the student-teacher ratio. With my degree, I wish to mentor and support children who specifically live in poverty-stricken areas and provide them with a positive support system that may not be guaranteed at home.”
Major: Media Studies and Production
School: Temple University
“Growing up, I wanted to be many things, from a pediatrician to an actress; I always wanted to make a discovery or show the world something never seen before. As I grew older, I realized that there were not many women or women of color, specifically Latina women in the fields I saw myself in. In high school, I began to develop an interest in photography and noticed what someone could feel by looking at an image. Although I wanted to capture important moments and share them with others, I felt the pressure of being in the STEM field because I am a first-generation college student. In my first year of college, I took many science-related courses but found myself unhappy. I did not want to admit to myself that I wanted to help and reach a large audience of people through the use of images and storytelling. I want to create something that will help people with similar experiences as mine because I know that growing up, I would have loved to see many strong Latina women in the media field. As a way to get started with my goal, this year I plan on getting involved with a Latinx club as well as getting a work-study position in the media department. I know that I can do anything I set my mind to, so I know that no matter how many obstacles are put in my way, in the end, I will succeed.”
Major: Education
School: The College of New Jersey
Major: Undeclared
School: Franklin and Marshall College
“Still uncertain as to what I’d like to major in, I’ve grown a strong interest in public health and how with the advancements in medicine we can promote healthier lifestyles, practice effective sanitation, and access vaccines that would greatly reduce our chances of future infections and diseases. However, that isn’t my only interest, throughout my first year at Franklin & Marshall College I’ve become fond of the Italian language, so much that I plan on studying abroad fall of 2019. A goal of mine for the near future would be to teach English part-time in Italy, in hopes of finding a career I’d love to take on while also immersing myself into a culture and environment that’s vastly different from mine. Whatever it is that I end up majoring in, I hope it aids me in my travels around the world. I’d like to think that I’m cut out to do more than just one specific job, and in exploring different countries, I plan to help and provide assistance in any way to those I meet along the way.”
Major: Business Management
School: West Chester University
“My passion is business! I love seeing entrepreneurs create different businesses from nothing and as they grow in their business began to give back to their communities. As of right now to start my path into the business world, I’ve begun to attend business seminars that share knowledge about the business world with me. I plan to do summer internships and participate in different business conferences so I can gain more knowledge about the business world. I plan to study business management with a focus in risk management. Understanding why and how businesses succeed or fail and how one can reduce loss and increase gains is my goal! After obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I also wish to attend law school where I can become an insurance lawyer dealing with risk and liability! A major passion of mine is education. Knowledge is power, and I believe everyone deserves a great education that’s why I want to one day be able to start a scholarship foundation just like Herb It Forward Foundation so I can continue to bless people the way Herb It Forward has blessed so many people.”
Major: Accounting
School: Drexel University
Major: Behavior & Health
School: Boston University
Major: Nursing
School: Neumann University
Major: Business
School: Penn State Abington
Major: Nursing
School: Penn State University
“I realized my true calling with nursing when I entered high school. At that juncture in my life, my aunt was pregnant with triplets, and I was overly fascinated with the idea that a woman’s body could handle three growing babies at once. In the latter portion of my freshman year, I received news from my relatives that my aunt had given birth, but only one out of the three babies survived. I wondered how one child was able to survive. She told me that if it were not for the care of a neonatal nurse, her one surviving son would have passed away like the other two babies. I felt the immediate need to know more about the person responsible for helping babies, like my newborn cousin. I did countless hours of research, and I instantly knew I was up for the challenge, especially with the feeling that babies are full of much unknown potential. At this point in my life as a college freshman, I am trying to become involved in clubs and classes that are geared to my nursing major and introduce me to the different possibilities available to nurses. I want to give the first positive outlook of life to babies, especially those who will ensure birth and newborn complications. There is one thing that I believe is humankind’s universal obligation: That is to take care of one other. Becoming a neonatal nurse will help me achieve this obligation.”
Major: Marine & Environmental Science
School: Hampton University
“My lifelong goal is to become a marine biologist. To move closer to this goal I am in clubs that focus on improving the environment in my community, involved in STEM programs/scholarships that allow me to connect with like-minded peers and mentors, and recently completed a summer internship where I got to conduct my own research project. After I have completed my undergraduate and graduate education, I hope to do my research on how climate change affects the food availability for organisms that live in coral reef ecosystems and the direct result of coral reef bleaching on organisms that live there. Also, I wish to start my own STEM-based program to enlighten minority youth on possible career paths and encourage their involvement in a field where there are not many people that look like them.”
Major: Economics
School: Swarthmore College
“Currently a freshman at Swarthmore College, where I major in Economics. My interests include Economics, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Computer Science/Programming, Emerging Tech (AI, Big Data, VR/AR, Crypto/Blockchain/dApps), International Affairs, History, Politics, and Law. Some positions I hold include being a Contributing Writer for Investing.com, where I write about Market Analysis and other Financial Market Insights/Observations (Please refer to my LinkedIn Profile for more info). Intend on earning my JD/MBA after college. Looking for internships and other opportunities in the financial services industry.”
Major: Criminal Justice
School: Hampton University
“My passions lie in the judicial systems; I believe that this is where I can make the biggest impact for my community at large. My ultimate goal is to become a Supreme Court Justice. My inspiration is Ruth Bader Ginsberg, she showed determination, discipline, and concentration, she faults for what she believed in becoming an important key to the gender equality movement. Now she sits on the supreme court making important decisions that could change the lives of citizens across the country. I feel as if many overlook the power that is possessed by people in law. I want to practice law to influence, empower, and change policies. I hope to help children grow mentally, physically and emotionally healthy, especially the ones who come from low-income areas facing adversities unimaginable to some. In the law profession, only four percent of African Americans practice law; I want to be a part of building this quota. I see this as an attainable goal despite the odds that are set against me as an African American female. I use doubt as motivation to keep moving forward.”
Major: Undeclared
School: Cheyney University
Major: Sociology
School: Drexel University
Major: Information Science & Technology
School: Temple University
“There is so much I have to learn before I can get to where I want to be in the future, and I know it will take time and determination. I am passionate about increasing awareness of the lack of gender diversity in the STEM field and giving back to the communities that have made me who I am today. I am currently an aspiring software engineer with a primary interest in machine learning and artificial intelligence. I am currently on the executive board of the Association of Computing Machinery (Women’s Chapter) at Temple University, where my team and I plan events that encourage more women to pursue STEM as a passion. I am also the Vice President of the Chinese Language Exchange Club and Director of Events for the National Association of Asian American Professionals because I want to promote cultural awareness to my school’s community. In the future, I plan on working towards my master’s in Data Science and learning how to use machine learning for improving the quality of life for those who may not have had the best chances in life. Machine learning & AI can be used to make social/political predictions, smart robots, and assist people in their daily lives. This technology should not be limited to just those who can afford to pay for it; I want to work towards a world where technology brings everything and everyone together.”
Major: Painting
School: Temple University
“Using my painting, art history, and business degrees I will work towards becoming an art conservator. Conservators restore and preserve works of art for future generations to appreciate. For myself, I believe that art is important to preserve and protect because it is the evidence that my generation, and the generations before us, have left their mark on the world. They tell stories, record history, and display beauty all while visually stimulating the senses. However, in order to get to where I want to go, I have to earn my painting degree, gain experience in working studios, and intern with conservators to learn techniques and tricks in preserving works of art. Once I have gained all of these qualities, I plan to continue to preserve my fellow artist’s works, for future generations to understand the time we are living in now and learn from our mistakes to make the world a better place.”
Major: Social Work
School: Penn State University
Major: Engineering
School: Drexel University
Major: Information Technology
School: Drexel University
Major: Occupational Therapy
School: Scranton University
“Ever since I was young, I have had a passion for helping others, and have spent the majority of my life volunteering with various organizations. These experiences have led me to want a career where I can continue to make an impact on people’s lives. After volunteering at a pediatric occupational therapy clinic for a year, I absolutely fell in love with the career and decided that I want to become an occupational therapist. In order to reach my goals, I am currently in a five-year combined bachelor’s/master’s program for occupational therapy. I am involved in many organizations on campus, including the Student Occupational Therapy Association, where we participate in community service, educational, and advocacy events throughout the school year. I am also continuing to volunteer and shadow at various places to stay involved in the community and gain more experience in the field. I am extremely excited to become an occupational therapist. With my degree, I hope to work in a pediatric hospital or with people who have amputations. I am looking forward to being able to help each of my clients reach their personal goals in order to lead more meaningful, independent, and happy lives.”
Major: Psychology & Occupational Therapy
School: Jefferson University
“Poverty is not just lack of money; it is not having the capability to realize one’s full potential as a human being” – Amartya Sen. In the city of Philadelphia there are roughly 1.5 million people and 25.7 percent of those people live below the poverty line. Philadelphia remains the poorest city in the nation despite its high level of business and real estate values. Growing up I was raised by my grandparents, and money was a daily struggle. There were times when we would have to scrape around the house to find change to get the necessities that we needed. We endeavored daily to make enough money to survive. However, we have gotten the support that has helped us immensely such as appropriate winter attire and medical assistance to help pay for eyeglasses and dental care. The support we received is something that inspired me to want to help others. I want to obtain a career in psychology and occupational therapy and start a non-profit organization to bring medical services and attention to the homeless while showing others it’s rewarding to help others and understand their experiences. Although I have faced a difficult childhood, I have also benefited from others’ help and plan to help others in turn.”
Major: Internation
School: Gettysburg College
“I have always had an interest in learning about and speaking out for different cultures and being an activist. As of now, to work towards my goals, I am seeking various clubs that I can join in my school which coincide with my passions. I hope that with this, I can make an impact within my community and branch out into the world. In the future, I do intend to go to graduate school and start working to build my career after I achieve my Bachelor’s Degree. As for future careers, my dream job is to work in an embassy or state department. I know with hard work and dedication I can accomplish my dreams and goals. Nothing comes easy, but I also don’t give up easily.”