STEM Chose Me

I often get asked "Why did you choose a STEM field?" and honestly, I didn't choose STEM at first. 
I have always had a passion to help people, so I came into college wanting to be an EMT. Shortly after learning the hours I would be working, I decided they weren't compatible for a single mother of two, so I switched gears towards social work.

I am a domestic violence survivor, and firmly believe it was the intervention of CPS that saved my life. Because of this, I signed a MAAP program for a Masters in Social Work (MSW). 

When I took my college entry exams, I tested in lowest you could test them. This granted me the ability to take courses below 100 level and helped build the fundamental foundation I lacked in each subject, but it was math that drew me in. Once I got to MAT142 (the last math course needed for the MSW degree), I started
to find a passion I never knew existed. That passion lead to taking College Algebra as an elective the following semester. Everyone thought I was crazy, but really, I was finding my competence in learning and found reward in the math challenges I encountered.

Long story short, I have taken all math classes up to Linear Algebra (mat343). Unfortunately, it ended when I got to mathematical proofs, and I failed for the first and second time. Through my failure, I discovered that I don’t give up easily, and will give it my best effort. I was devastated yet transitioned into acceptance well. I continued schooling under a similar, yet different degree program, statistics.   
Next Spring, I will be taking my last two courses needed for the Bachelor’s in Statistics. 

Intending on getting an MSW degree, my direction shifted, and STEM found me.  I am grateful for the willingness to work past challenges or hurdles, grateful to not give up under pressure.

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