I have always known that no matter what I do, I want to help people. I want to work with them and make a difference in their life. After months of being unhappy studying pre-medicine science courses and beating myself up about it, I eventually realized that there are many other ways of having an impact on the lives of people around me.
When thinking about why I chose psychology as my major, I always seem to go back to the times of my childhood where schooling became difficult because of my lack of muscle strength in my hands. Easily fixable, I was sent to an occupational therapist. That year of treatment seemed to me then like climbing Mount Everest. Those hours I spent writing the same letters and numbers over and over again, the grueling ‘pencil-holding’ exercises, and tedious hand strengthening movements, just never seemed to end. It made the six year old me despise school and anything that had to do with writing.
I never regret going to occupational therapy because it helped me tremendously and taught me necessary skills, but what does bother me however, was how unfriendly the treatment was for a young child. My goal in pursuing psychology is to become an occupational therapist that not only helps children improve their motor skills, but also allows them to have fun while doing so. By integrating fun games and exciting activities with exercises for muscle improvement, I believe that children will learn more easily and quicker.
As seen in my early childhood exertions, not everything in life is easy to achieve and it seems as if I am encountering another Mount Everest. Moving from South Africa two years ago has had a giant impact on my family financially. It has come to the point where my family needs to move back there and I need to decide where to complete my studying. I have chosen to continue my studies in the United States because of the higher level of education. With a stronger educational background, my success seems brighter. In order for me to reach that success and keep on with my studies in the United States I need to raise money for my tuition.
If I am lucky enough to graduate with a degree in psychology from the University of Miami, I will acquire the career that I have always dreamed of. Not only will my major teach me vital information for being an occupational therapist, but the wholesome program provided by the University of Miami will also allow me to have other outlets for helping others. It means that not only will I be fulfilling my own motives, but I will also be affecting the community around me for the better. Now that is what I like to call a perfect metaphor for ‘conquering Mount Everest.’
DiversityJobs.com’s scholarship program for diversity and minority students is proud to announce Hila Sachs as one of the seven finalists for its August 2012 application deadline. Vote for her essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.