When I was young, my father taught me that work ethic, practice and perseverance will

get you anywhere in life. I was 12 when he died. Since then, I leaned on my mother
Susie, and my brother Jake. My sister Sarah and her husband Ben have also crucially
impacted my life’s choices. They have all pushed me in both academics and on the mat.
Since first grade I’ve been an avid wrestler, teaching me independence, mental
toughness and discipline. Igniting my desire I have today, Ben and I completed a wooden
garden pergola in memory of my father the following summer he passed. Since then, my
hands have been eager to use the plethora of tools my grandfather and dad left my
brother and I. Developing this passion, I took Wood Shop all four years of high school,
creating brilliant…show more content…
During my Freshman year, I obtained a job at Jake’s Supper Club just down the river
from my house as a dishwasher. I worked there continuously for two years working my
way up to buss boy and exposition food prep. This first official job for me taught me
reliability, loyalty, how to compete in the workforce and successfully cohere with co-
workers of all ages and backgrounds. Seeing my avid interest in woodworking, my youth
group leader, Aaron Lee, asked me to be his construction assistant when the school year
ended. I jumped on the opportunity and worked across midwestern Wisconsin and
Minnesota during the summer of my Junior year and a month the following summer.
During the first summer working with his crew, I had an incredible experience learning
the tricks of the trade. I worked on three different sheds, a horse barn, and an entire
house project from baseboards to truss. Lifelong skills that can forever be applied, were
acquired at a teenage level; teaching me critical thinking, planning skills, strife for
perfection and tests of endurance to push through the 13 hour truss days. I learned what
it takes to be a residential contractor which is a possible occupation I could
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Why I Want to Pursue a Degree in Ece

In early 2006 I was knocked off track. My little brother was killed in a car accident at the
age of 17. My world went pretty dark for a while, and I dropped out of college and left my
jobs. After a few months of deep grieving, I got on my feet and got a job making more
money as a receptionist for a window company. I pushed my passion to the back of my
brain and put the money first. I was all determined to have a “grown up job” and be on
my own. This meant I couldn’t afford classes, or books. I also had to have a full time day
job to afford my rent. Teaching went to the back burner for several years. I was offered
higher positions at my job, and pretty soon found myself sitting in the office behind the
desk from which I myself was hired. I hated it. I could sit on the computer all day long
and do nothing. Most people would’ve loved my job. But I could not handle