Science, Service, and Self Reliance
One calm summer night, standing in front of a telescope twice my size and staring into the stars above me, I felt an overwhelming sense of amazement rush over me. The only thought in my mind was, “Wow. I’m really here. And everything feels…complete.” This indescribable feeling marked a key moment in my life — one that would shape my journey and change me forever. I’ve experienced that exact same sense of fulfillment on three distinct occasions, each one profoundly impacting my goals and decisions.
The first instance took place in Colorado, during my late-night asteroid observation shift. I was a participant in an astrophysics research program, and I had just finished collecting the sky coordinates of the asteroid I was tracking. Before pressing the button to close the sky roof, I took a moment to look up at the sky and think about how surreal it was that I was really doing this. I had always thought that scientific research would bore me, but surprisingly, I loved every second of my time in the program. In that quiet moment under the stars, I knew that physics was my calling and decided that I wanted to continue studying it for the rest of my life.
Working with precise data and calculating extremely large (literally astronomical) numbers, highlighted one of my biggest strengths: perfectionism. I enjoy the aspect of research that involves crunching numbers until everything fits together. Solving confusing problems with even more confusing equations does not come naturally to me, of course. However, what’s important is that I actually like it. Being a huge perfectionist had always slowed me down, but it proved to be crucial in the field of physics — a sign that I was in the right place.
The second life-changing event transpired while I was standing in front of a room of politicians in City Hall. This was part of the work I had to do for my position as a participatory action researcher, a job that involved collecting and analyzing data, and then sharing it to create policy change. I distinctly remember cowering behind the podium, nervously looking around at the vast array of eyes fixated towards me. The one thing everyone knows about me is that I am quiet and reserved, and definitely not the type of person to confidently speak in front of such a large crowd. Yet there I was, panicking in front of the city’s most important government officials and questioning all the life decisions that led me to that moment. It was too late to back down, so I did the only thing I could do: speak.
I began reading off data points about how many NYC youth lack a stable home, worry about finances, attend underfunded schools, and so on. Without even registering it, I suddenly entered a flow state where I simply began speaking from my heart. Every issue I talked about was relevant to me in some way or another, and I felt that it was my duty to convey just how important it was for everyone in the room to take our policy recommendations seriously. When my speech ended, I became overwhelmed by the realization of how deeply I cared about making a change, not just in that specific job, but in my life.
I’ve always prided myself in having deep self-awareness, which has allowed me to stay grounded in my personal values and beliefs. This clarity about who I am and what I stand for fuels my passion for social and political causes. Knowing myself means that my commitment to these issues is not just a fleeting interest but a core part of my identity. I only fully understood this part of myself when I concluded my speech at City Hall and realized that, for the first time in my life, I didn’t need to plan out what to say — I just knew. Moving forward, I promised myself that I would always play an active role in bettering my community no matter my age, where I lived, or what I chose to do as a career.
Moment number three is by far the most significant of them all. It was two days after my 18th birthday, at exactly 3am. From my bedroom window, I could tell that it was lightly raining, which only made me work faster. As quietly as I could, I stuffed a pile of clothes into my backpack and rushed to gather everything else I would need. Once I was sure I had everything packed, I tiptoed my way to the front door. With my heart pounding, I took one last look at the house I was raised in, the one that I called home for 18 years, before slipping out and slowly shutting the door behind me.
My body continued to function on autopilot until I finally climbed into the Uber waiting for me and let out a deep breath. You would think my mind would be all over the place, considering that I had just left behind my biological family and everything I knew in just one night. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, though, as I spent the car ride staring out of the window and thinking about how unreal everything felt. I was struck with a sense of disbelief and the understanding that my life would completely change from that day on.
Possibly the most prominent aspect of my personality is my self-reliance. If I had to describe myself in one word, it would, without a doubt, be “independent”. Living alone with no family whatsoever and surviving off my own money at such a young age was only possible because of the type of person I am. My resilience and determination to thrive, even when left alone, are stronger than the trauma that weighs me down and discourages me from working hard to become the best version of myself. I still maintain all of my career aspirations and academic goals despite the added responsibilities of adulthood.
These three critical moments come together in my career goals, which are to become a physicist, inventor, and entrepreneur. I plan to design equipment to help further scientific research and invent technologies that will help solve specific problems in the world. These goals are the culmination of my passion for physics, my desire to improve my community, and my independence. My experiences have not only defined my path but have also guided me toward a future where I can make a meaningful impact on the world.
