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What Matters Most


Kimiyonn Sadler
Second Place
2021 Future Alumni Essay Contest

Academic achievement has been on my agenda since the beginning, but life has a way of humbling us all. Being a high achiever is something that came naturally for me. I was determined to use my intelligence to accomplish remarkable things in life. I wanted to create an exceptional life for my family and I.

I took the smart, straight, and narrow path of consistent straight A’s, several academic accolades, and plenty of college acceptances. I made plans for university straight out of high school like any other bright-eyed, bushy tailed 18-year old. Unfortunately, the pressures were too much for me to thrive properly. Finances were short. Navigating university as a first-generation student with no guidance was not an easy feat. A stable support system was non-existent. Often, I struggled to adapt to the unfamiliar environment and felt out of place. My mental health declined, making my college experience sufferable and too much to maintain. 

After countless attempts of ignoring my intuition, I decided to transfer out. Soon, I felt like a failure and lost sight of what my career could turn out to be. I just came to terms with the fact that college was not for me. Eventually, I started working. College was an afterthought in my mind, washed away with the other unfinished dreams. Soon, I became comfortable and knew what I wanted to do with my life.


Then, Corona virus came.

Not long after, the world seemed to be at a standstill. “Normal” no longer existed. My parents fell ill, and it was my duty to care for my family. I had to keep my family afloat, a task that is hefty for a young adult. I found myself constantly staring at the blank walls in my room. The confidence in my future was gone. Every day felt the same. My future for my life path and career became unknown. I was miserable staying at home, especially with the added pressures of being an anchor for my family. I told myself that I had to try to create better opportunities for myself. Eventually, I learned that Trident Tech offered free online courses. Online college was different than what I was used to, but I was willing to take a shot at a new endeavor. By August 2020, I decided that I wanted to go back to school.

With quarantine came a lot of alone time and deep thinking. I constantly picked at my brain, thinking of neglected talents and new passions. Over the course of time, I discovered that I am tech savvy. Learning about new technological concepts intrigued me. I also really enjoy creating social media content. It allowed me to express myself and creativity for thousands of people to enjoy and indulge in. With coordinating social media content comes a great deal of leadership. Leadership has always been a strong quality of mine. Being a part of the construction of engaging content delighted me. After putting these key components together, I realized that Marketing is the career path for me. It combines everything I wanted to do and was doing. It solidified my choice of major, confirming that I was heading in the right direction.

Receiving my associates degree at Trident Tech grants me an opportunity that my parents did not have. I am breaking down a generational barrier that not too long ago was the fight for equal rights or graduating with a high school diploma. Success was no longer an afterthought. I could put myself one step closer to my goals and work towards a greater goal. 

I aspire to become a Marketing Manager for local nonprofits and businesses. I believe that I can lead many different organizations to success and expand their appeal to different consumers. Coming from an adverse background, I know firsthand how organizations can help those in need. I aspire to better my community as I increase opportunities and success for myself. I am adamant in stepping into the leadership role for my family and future scholars.

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