Gene Denton Essay 34

What challenges does your community face? A challenge my community faces is a lack of determination.  My dream career is to be an orthodontist. Many students in my community doubt themselves and their abilities to achieve their dreams. Being an orthodontist will prove that any dream is achievable.

In my community, many people don’t have faith that they will achieve their dreams. Many people in my community think some careers are out of reach because they haven’t seen anyone who looks like them achieve their dreams.  No one believes in themselves, and it’s sad to see. When we think of successful people, we don’t think we will be on the same level as them because others discourage us. We also don’t have the same resources as people in nicer neighborhoods and areas. We must look for every opportunity ourselves because it’s not just handed to us. It’s difficult and unfair to have to work twice just to achieve what others get handed to them. Another thing that can be hard to juggle is the financial burden. Other communities with money don’t have to worry about the money. That is why we search for help, scholarships, and juggle work and school. But with a little determination, I know everyone in my community will succeed. Even when you say your goals or dream out loud, others will think you’re crazy. They think in their heads it’s impossible. I have been told by my teacher, “statistically you’re never going to be a millionaire”. This has always stuck with me because, although some think it’s impossible, I know I can do it because I’m determined and focused on my goals. I know this because every time I’ve wanted something, I have made it happen. For example, when my parents couldn’t help me pay for things I wanted, I searched for a job at 1,5 even though my parents told me not to. Another example is I wanted to speed up the process of college, so I’m taking college classes while taking high school classes.

Whenever I was in middle school, I didn’t want to be a dentist because everyone always told me how hard it would be, and it always sounded so impossible. They made it seem like it was a dream that couldn’t come true. Stating how it would be so much school and money. I started to believe them because whenever I would go to the dentist, the doctor would never look like me. It was usually a white male who came from money. Being female, Mexican, and lower middle-class, I thought it wasn’t possible for me to be a dentist. It wasn’t until I went to a college to shadow that I got paired with a Mexican girl and a Mexican patient. Seeing her there and seeing how she came from the same background as I made me realize it is possible for me to be a dentist. She mentioned to me how it took a lot of work to get where she is, but she was very determined. The patient in the chair mentioned to me how we need more dentists who speak Spanish. That opened my eyes to the fact that I am important and needed. I also belong in important places like others.

As an orthodontist, will prove to people in my community that with determination, every dream is possible.  If I saw someone in my community become a dentist when I was little, I know that would prove to me that I could do anything I wanted. They would’ve been someone I looked up to. I want to be this for my community.

In conclusion, determination will help my community. Everyone will level up and become the best versions of themselves. Me being a dentist, will prove that with determination, you can do anything. I want to become the example I always needed when I was younger. I know one day someone will sit in my chair and know all their dreams are possible.