Autumn Eberhart

May 2019
Benford
College Application Essay

"My Aspiration Journey"

Growing up, I have always had a passion for business technology and computer

engineering. I assumed that Information technology (IT) would be fitting for me. I researched all

throughout middle school and was certain of my fate. Until I discovered that the high school I

was enrolled had nothing to compliment my growing passion for IT. I was forced into

Accounting due to my indecisiveness,

“Come on Autumn, you have to select an elective. It does not matter which one. Just

please chose something, Now”, my very frustrated 8th grade counselor said. I did not take her

shortness personally. I have been in the crowded office for over an hour now.

I did nothing but stare at her, disappointed.

“Okay Autumn, the high school doesn’t have IT, nor will it have it tomorrow, or next

year. I have other students I have to get to. I am going to put you in Accounting.”

I was thoroughly devastated that my plan was beginning to falter and the future that I

always imagined for myself was slipping through my fingers.

A few months later, I started my first semester of high school,

“Good Morning Class, my name is Ms. Bell. I will be teaching you guys accounting. I

teach business marketing and I am the school’s Credit Union Coordinator and the sponsor of the

school’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). I will select a few capable

students to run the credit union along with the accounting coursework.”
 Over the next few days, I got to know Ms. Bell even better. She was pleasantly shocked

to find out I was a freshman amongst her class of lazy seniors. Through my coursework,

dedication, and maturity, she saw a fire of vehemence in me. She announced that I would be one

of the students she selected to run the Credit Union. She also helped me to continue on my

officership of FBLA in high school, as I did in middle school.

Ms. Bell quickly became my mentor and even sold me her idea of accounting and

finance. Hesitantly, I decided that I would participate in running the credit union. From the

nanosecond I made my first deposit, withdraw, and Excel spreadsheet, I fell in love with it. I

knew that I had a passion for finance and accounting. I loved how the numbers would add up to

balance and I loved the satisfaction of typing in functions into Microsoft Excel. Upon research

and talking to professionals in the field, I discovered that the career as a financial manager was

my new aspiration.

At the credit union, people could come to me, during allotted school times, and deposit

and withdraw money as they pleased. We would have to key in data in Microsoft Excel. Since

working at the credit union, I have continued to work to receive certifications. I have received a

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification. I have devoted everything that I could to help me

further my interest in finance.

I was able to completely readjust and shift my future, from being an IT specialist to

becoming one of the top financial managers there are. I have a plan to major in finance and work

hard to gain experience and start at a small firm. The same way that I had a seemingly-concrete

plan of my future and my career choice, I was able to transform the obstacle and opposition and

use it to my advantage. I know that I can do the same thing on the college-level and climb to the

top despite the new atmosphere and uncharted adventure.

 The simple fact of my high school not having my elective alone, sparked a period of

person growth and career development. While taking the accounting course, I gained a new

understanding in myself. I grew a passion in something that I never thought I would like. I

learned that trying something new, and generally unwanted, can change your view in life in the

future.