Major: BS in Public Affairs/Public and Nonprofit Management
Expected Graduation Date: May 2024
Throughout high school, I worked with several nonprofit organizations that supported programming – athletic, educational, civics, and more – for young people throughout Texas. This allowed me to give back to my community and invest in my own future, as well as the futures of those around me, and I decided I wanted to learn more about nonprofit organization and management in college. The UTD Public Affairs program has allowed me to do that and so much more in order to prepare for my future in this field.
I believe the key to my success – both in my studies and in this chapter of my life – has been the willingness to try again. College is challenging, as is beginning the process of applying for internships or graduate school or getting a job. It’s hard to admit our failures, but it’s important to remember that this is the time in our lives for us to try new things, learn from our mistakes, and get up and try again. The ability to believe in myself or try again, even when something is difficult, has been the difference between a good college experience and a great one.
My plans for the immediate future are joining the fast-track program and getting started on my MPA. After that, I hope to finish my MPA at UTD and begin working in the nonprofit sector.
Two pieces of advice that have helped me in college: never give up on yourself, and find people that won’t give up on you either. EPPS is home to such a wonderful community, and I’m lucky to have found my people in it. Whether you are coming into college or getting ready to graduate, it’s never too late to try something new, meet new people, or change your life for the better. Believe in yourself when those things are hard, and invest in people or relationships that brighten up your life!