Ten years from now I hope to be well established as a veterinarian. I plan on gaining experience by working in emergency and private practice, and hopefully in about ten years I will be starting the process of opening my own veterinary practice. I also plan to further my education beyond veterinary school and by that point I hope to be certified in acupuncture and rehabilitation. Aside from my career, my husband and I are very excited to start a family! We are considering staying in Florida, but we really miss being close to family, so who knows where we’ll be at that point. 

Aside from my degree, I hope to graduate veterinary school with a strong grasp on how to have open communication and good relationships with clients. There tends to be a lot of stress in my career field between us (veterinarians) and pet owners. I hope to learn the best ways to help people, teach them, and be a friend to them, beyond just being their veterinarian and beyond helping the animal. I really hope to be someone they can rely on, be honest with, and trust. I try to learn from every client interaction, and I always listen to how the doctors talk to clients and gauge responses to learn the best methods of communication.

I think what motivates me the most is honest passion for what I’m doing. Nothing makes me happier than veterinary medicine and I truly want to be the best veterinarian possible, both for the animals and their owners. Growing up, it was definitely my dad that pushed me, so gently and with almost silent praise. It was hearing him talk proudly of me behind my back, telling others I was going to be a doctor. Before I was old enough to really understand this passion, my dad knew what I could be and never let me settle for less.

My advice to others who have been through similar circumstances is to be honest with your feelings. I battled depression, guilt, anxiety, relief, love, and anger somehow all at the same time. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. I went to a grief group, went through counseling, and became closer to extended family members than I had ever been before. It’s ok to feel however you’re feeling, just don’t fight it and don’t go through it alone. Eventually the deepest pain will pass, and if you take care of yourself, you’ll find the memories can come with joy and you’ll be a better person because of it.

In ten years, I would like to be an educator at the university or high school level. My high school experiences with teachers who cared about me had an incredible impact on who I am and how I see the world – I don’t know how I would have made it without them. No matter what career I end up in, I hope to be in a position to guide youth who are struggling and need a supportive adult on their team. Additionally, as a history student, I am excited to have the opportunity to talk to young people about the complicated social issues of our time.

My college experience thus far has shaped me into a more thoughtful, motivated, and well-rounded person than I was before. I hope that the reminder of my time in school will continue to challenge my thinking and put me outside of my comfort zone. I look forward to further unraveling my favorite historical issues and stumbling upon new passions I don’t yet know about.

I am motivated by the complexity of the human condition, my struggle to understand it, and my desire to help others through it. While nobody can get through life without pain, something beautiful can be built out of connecting with one another and attempting to make the most out of the fact that we are alive. No matter how difficult life gets, my worldview is founded on a strong sense of curiosity that motivates me to see each day through simply to see what will happen next. I am also motivated by my desire to build a stable life for myself, as my experiences with instability have taught me the importance of striving for a life I can be happy to live.

Losing a parent at a young age, especially under the emotionally complicated circumstance of addiction, can be an incredibly difficult thing to untangle. Know that your parent’s pain does not have to define you. No matter how much trauma and pain may be in your family’s background, you have the power to break out of toxic cycles and learn coping skills that make life worth it. I believe that when approached in the right way, pain and trauma can be converted into compassion, care, and love for others. My most practical advice is to speak with a therapist so that you can begin to understand more about who you are and how your unique life circumstances can be used to cultivate positive growth in your life.