2021 NATIONAL WINNER

Short Essay

As an aspiring attorney, I intend to pursue studies in political science in college to prepare me for law school; however, I also recognize the importance of possessing strong communication skills. For that reason, I also plan to pursue a major in communication and rhetoric studies, aiding me in whatever field I may end up working in.

When I was younger, I greatly struggled with communication. I was in an ESL program at my elementary school for approximately 4 years and despised speaking in front of a crowd. As I grew older, I became tired of living with this fear, as it held significant control over my life. I decided to step outside my comfort zone and join a Speech and Debate team at my local high school. After only a couple of practices, I noticed a significant impact on not only my confidence, but other areas of my life. I was able to lead club meetings in a more effective manner, performed stronger in interviews for extracurricular opportunities, and overall felt a newfound power inside of me.

"Effective speaking skills also allow one to build credibility, advance job placements, increase salaries, think critically, and boost their self-image."

- Sarah M.

After this experience, I realized the value of communication skills. I learned that over 90% of hiring managers in the United States consider it to be a crucial skill for the workplace. Effective speaking skills also allow one to build credibility, advance job placements, increase salaries, think critically, and boost their self-image. Regardless of whichever field I enter, communication skills will assist in propelling my career forward by equipping me with this unique asset.

Furthermore, specific communication classes at my university, such as "Rhetoric of Science" and "Rhetoric of Human Rights," would also allow me to become familiarized with language, terminology, and structure of rhetoric in other fields. One of the best aspects of this course of study is its universal nature. I am able to develop a strong foundation in multiple disciplines. Therefore, in the instance that I decide to pursue a change of career plans, I will already have a basis and will not have to start anew. Even if I do not have a career in the sciences of human rights, every career to some extent has an interdisciplinary nature. At some point in my life, I will be exposed to those fields and this course of study would allow me to be prepared for those situations.

"I have never had any opportunity to live on my own. This opportunity of learning how to manage independence will ensue an acquisition of a diverse skillset -- time management, delegation, organization, and more!”

- Sarah M.

Outside the classroom, living an independent lifestyle will also aid me in any career field. Prior to this, I have never had any opportunity to live on my own. This opportunity of learning how to manage independence will ensue an acquisition of a diverse skillset -- time management, delegation, organization, and more! With this opportunity to attend college, I will be tasked with creating my own schedules in terms of classes, extracurriculars, meetings, and studying. While my responsibilities will not be identical in a workplace, I essentially will have a large amount of independence that I will need to be able to manage. Ultimately, college is a test run for my future career.

- Sarah M.