Personal Narrative: My Journey To A J. D. Degree

“Returning to school after so many years of not attending, to obtain a degree can be a struggle for many people throughout their life, but it also has its benefits, changes, challenges, and goals. Initially, I had planned to go to college right after high school, but due to many family problems I was unable to. It would be another eight years before I would make the decision to enroll in school. My reasons for returning to school are to higher my education, have a better career/ job, and to better my life, as well as the life of my daughter. Returning to school for me, has had its benefits, changes, challenges, and goals. In this paper, I plan to give you a brief

I was never a kid that knew who I would become when I grow up. My interests ranged from wanting to become an interior designer to having a strong desire of becoming a pilot. I was often surrounded by healthcare professionals but I never imagined myself striving to become one. Little did I know that I would end up at a stage in my life where I would be sure about pursuing a career in healthcare. Although I have decided on my career path, I have yet to discover a particular field within healthcare that grabs my interest. The RA Internship will help me learn more about medicine and help me find a right field of study through clinical research experience and monthly lectures offered to me as an intern. Though this opportunity I will be able to

I contemplated taking a semester off to have my child and reprioritize my life. However, after speaking my faculty mentor, I received the encouragement I needed to pushed forward and complete my degree. Sadly, I made the ultimate decision to postpone my journey to medical school to care for my family. After graduation, I decided to join the workforce to support my family. As a recent college graduate, I experienced difficulties obtaining employment and this was very discouraging, especially since I was caring for two young individuals. Eventually, I obtained a full-time position at a local community college and have been there for about six years educating minds to achieve their educational

Studying Laws combined will give me the skills applicable to a variety of traditional and nontraditional law careers to help others. I have a particular interest in the way that legislation can have profound impacts on others lives and the way litigation is an important means of readdressing issues and achieving justice for the individual and society.

Growing up my father taught me many life lessons; one that I will never forget was when he told me: “A man living in a house without light will never know where he is going or what he wants to do.” At the time I did not understand what that meant until one day he explained in to me. Without proper goals a person is just lost in darkness and unable to find their way in life. By working towards my goals, I feel that I am constantly growing as an individual and learning how to approach all sorts of situations that life throws at me. Recently, being a part of the EOF Nursing School Program at Rutgers University, I feel that I have just set the foundation to achieving my goals which include graduating with my Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing alongside one day opening a home for the less fortunate in Guyana.

I grew up in a single-parent, low-income home outside of Santa Rosa, California. The idea of college wasn’t introduced to me until long after I had already become just another statistic. I dropped out of high school when I was 17, in the midst of a teenage rebellion, thinking I already knew everything and didn’t need anyone’s help. I left home, got a job at a fast food restaurant, and stayed with friends off and on until I realized that maybe I didn’t know everything quite yet. After a severe reality check, I found a sense of responsibility that encouraged me to get my G.E.D and find a great job. I was very determined to take everything I learned as a child and use it as a what-not-to-do guide. By the time I was 19, I bought my first house and quickly realized I could either set limitations with excuses or achieve goals with endurance. The

This past August I had moved from my hometown of 18 years to a college an hour and a half away. The name of that college is Bradley University.

A few months ago at a free clinic for recovering drug addicts, a 19-year old female came seeking treatment for her active heroin addiction, and reported her addiction had progressed over the previous six months, paralleling her boyfriend’s, moving quickly from use of oral opioid painkillers to intravenously injecting heroin. The day she came to clinic, make-up barely concealed an injection site on her neck, which she reported, was where her boyfriend injected her with heroin, as she did not know how to inject herself and the veins in her arms had collapsed. The addiction specialist I shadow decided to treat her in the clinic and asked her to return in one week to monitor her transition from heroin to buprenorphine. This patient struck me, as she was so young and overwhelmingly consumed by her disease. However, I was not able to follow up with her case as I began my current position at UCLA. As a shadow, the inability to follow patient’s care as much as I desired, along with knowing I did not have enough experience or knowledge to care for the patients, was incredibly scary and frustrating, although it was simultaneously

At 18, I was your average high school student. I participated in marching band, took a few advanced courses and enjoyed the fellowship of friends. A blooming teenager with high hopes of attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham to obtain my degree in nursing. However, the summer following my graduation, I discovered that I was pregnant. Understandably shocked by this unexpected circumstance, I placed my dreams of attending UAB on hold.

Scared, nervous, anxious my emotions were all over the place. I didn’t know the interview was going to be a group interview? “Great!” I said to myself, now I have to deal with making myself stand out more. I thought to myself I need this internship so I can be able to look at different careers in the medical field. I need to calm myself down now the interview is about to start. Each time it came to my turn I felt so nervous that I couldn’t get the right words out of my mouth. Nine questions went by and the interview was finally done. I shake hands with both interviewers as I step out the door I felt intimidated by the other applicants. I don’t even know if I aced the interview or completely bombed it.

I had no Idea what to expect whenever I first joined the scholars program, it honestly made me feel nervous and intimidated by many of the professors. Throughout the months though, I have grown comfortable with my classmates and the area of the college. Joining the scholars program was probably one of the best things I could have done as a freshman in college.

It was 6 AM at the Military Hospital where I work as a house officer in medicine. I usually arrive at the hospital very early to see my patients before morning rounds. Walking towards my unit and enjoying the scenery of well-manicured lawns in the peace and quiet of the morning, I hear a scream from the unit. Mr. K a young man in his mid thirties, rushes out of the unit to the lawn yelling and screaming “ help me, someone help me”. Realizing who was approaching, he walks towards me saying, “doctor help me, can’t you see I am dying, can’t anyone help me”. I calmed him down and walked him back to his room. Mr. K is being treated for End Stage Renal Disease and requires dialysis but cannot afford it. His family has declined further care because the cost of dialysis will exhaust the entire family savings. Mr. K dies within 2 days of this event. I developed a special interest in Nephrology from that time and will never forget that encounter.

Understanding and diligently pursing one’s vocation, I believe, is the most momentous episode in a person’s life. My quest for a medical career stems largely from my unequivocal commitment to a life of continuous learning and selfless service. Equally as important, however, is the indispensable contribution I am bound to provide to the dynamic and evolving medical field by reason of my unique background, experiences, and aspirations.

Mom always told me that if I don’t keep the score up I will have to find a job someday. The score is just what my mom and I call my grades. She means that if I don’t keep up my grades she would stop giving me monthly allowance and you know kids these days, that's what keeps us going. I always listened to her until I started playing basketball. Everyday after school I went to basketball training for two whole hours and I know what you’re going to say, why don’t you do your homework after basketball? Well, you see my team always has these team parties. On other days I have to go to my older sister’s lacrosse games. She is a pro at it or should I say she was a pro at it. Lately, she has been missing all the goals. Now she is always yelling at me and bossing me around. She is always saying “Stephanie bring me this...and Stephanie bring me that…” If you are wondering who is Stephanie? Stephanie is me. Stephanie Helen Cooper, yup that’s me.

The main reason why I wanted to study Law was the importance it takes in the world. Law builds civilization, protect fundamental rights and protect ideas and inventions through patenting. Anyone can defend his or her right through the legal system. Law can bind an agreement to allow an aircraft to fly from country A to country B. Law is continuously relevant in many context including banking, construction, sports, land, media, commerical, human rights etc. And this excites me more, as it is very broad and in my perspective not going to be repetitive or dull.