Royals 1

My most significant leadership experience in high school involved attending a new school where I initially knew no one. Navigating the challenge of feeling lost and having no one to talk to prompted me to discover and define the type of person I am. Through this experience, I learned the importance of self-leadership, paving the way for me to cultivate the qualities and values I aspire to embody as I grow into the person I want to become. What I learned about leadership is that I must have the ability to guide, influence, and inspire others to achieve goals. It involves taking initiative, making decisions, and directing individuals or groups within an organization. Leadership, for me, is not solely about holding a formal position of authority. It is a set of skills and qualities that can be demonstrated at various levels and in different contexts. I wanted to be challenged in my high school years to get the most out of it to be prepared for college, which is why I picked going to a different school away from my friends. Navigating through this new school presented a significant transition for me. Recognizing the potential distractions of my friends that could have led me down the wrong path, I was determined to stay focused on my goal. With a passion for the engineering field, I took the initiative to research and identify the classes that would best prepare me for a future in engineering. I took the hardest math, physics, and art classes offered at my school because all of them would improve my skills in those areas. My first year taking math and physics was the hardest school year for me. I struggled to keep up with the class, and my results from the test weren’t the best. I had second thoughts of dropping the class, but the reason I didn’t was because of my family. They are my biggest role models because my family immigrated from Mexico. My parents taught me and my siblings to work hard in school and pursue the career we’re passionate about. My parents weren’t able to finish school when they were my age and had to get jobs very early on in life. My siblings didn’t have the same advantages as me because I was the only one in my family born here in the United States. With the desire to make my parents proud, I find strength even in the face of challenges. Their sacrifices to bring us to the United States fuel my determination to succeed. Reflecting on the worthiness of this journey, I persist through difficult moments. Staying committed to my chosen classes has not only enhanced my self-dedication but has also allowed me to capitalize on the opportunities within them. In my Personal and Professional Skills class, where community engagement is encouraged, I have actively participated in various projects to contribute to our local community. For instance, I volunteered to help build a park, an experience that exposed me to a diverse group of individuals. Engaging with people from different companies, I had conversations about colleges, career paths, and the journey they took to reach their current positions. This involvement not only broadened my perspective but also pushed me beyond my comfort zone. The satisfaction of building the park and connecting with unfamiliar faces serves as a constant reminder of the importance of pushing boundaries. It inspires me to complete my education diligently and give my best effort in all aspects of my journey. My goal after college is to pursue a career in software engineering due to my passion for problem-solving and logical thinking and my fascination with technology. I’m drawn to creating innovative solutions that can address real-world challenges. The ever-expanding scope of technology and its transformative impact on various industries provide an exciting backdrop for those who aspire to make a difference through coding and programming. In software engineering, leadership takes on a multifaceted role that extends beyond traditional management. Leadership in this field involves guiding a team of diverse individuals to collaboratively achieve goals while fostering innovation, maintaining a positive working environment, and adapting to the dynamic nature of technology. What I want to accomplish with Software engineering is to become a leader and have a unique opportunity to drive positive change by developing socially impactful projects. Initiatives focused on healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and social justice can address pressing issues within the community. By leveraging technology for the greater good, we can create lasting benefits that improve lives and contribute to societal well-being. I also want to include diversity and inclusion within the tech industry as a responsibility that all software leaders must embrace. Creating an inclusive work environment and supporting initiatives that increase the representation of underrepresented groups in technology is essential. A diverse tech community brings a richness of perspectives and ideas, leading to more innovative and inclusive solutions. In conclusion, the impact of software engineering leadership on community betterment is vast and multifaceted. By actively engaging in open-source projects, fostering skill development, building community, driving social impact projects, supporting education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, advocating for ethical practices, and prioritizing accessibility, I want to create a lasting and positive impact. It is through these collective efforts that we can harness the transformative power of technology to uplift and enhance the well-being of my community.