All throughout high school, the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” has haunted me. The Eureka! program has helped me unlearn the idea that life is something you have to have figured out. Attending summer camp at UAlbany, I looked up to my camp counselors who also experienced uncertainty with careers, and later discovered their passion. They reassured me that I was not alone and served as role models whose bravery inspired me.

Furthermore, the Eureka! program allowed me to speak with countless successful women who did not follow a linear career path. I was able to hear real life experiences of women who went through drastic shifts in their career and were able to get past the hurdle of approaching something entirely new. Listening to their stories has taught me that it is possible to pursue and achieve your dream at any stage of your life.

Moreover, the Eureka! program provided me with exposure to a variety of diverse careers that I would have never gotten the chance to explore otherwise and allowed me to learn skills useful in any career. For example, I have had two very different internships, one being at an art non-profit and the other being in the cybersecurity field. However, both gave me a safe space to make mistakes and ask questions without judgment, teaching me to be confident in my abilities and to be comfortable asking for help. I am forever grateful to Eureka! program for providing me with a vast amount of opportunities to discover who I am and the courage to face my future, even if it is unknown.