Shelley

When I was seven years old, my family and I emigrated from China to the United States. When I asked my parents why they would abandon their relaxed, high paying jobs to come to the United States, they simply answered, “We moved here for you and your brother.  So that you would have the opportunity to receive a better education and become successful.” When we first moved, I blamed my parents for bringing me to a place where I did not understand the language, nor the culture. I became frustrated in school because I could not communicate and play with my peers. As I grew older, I realized what my parents had done for me. They brought me to a place where I could be exposed to a variety of cultures, languages, and people. I truly appreciate what they have done for me.

Even though my parents could never help me with my English schoolwork, they had a tremendous impact on my life. What my mother told me while growing up shaped who I am today. She is my hero and I want to be like her, because not only is she a logical person but she showed me how important it is to be useful to society.

My current career aspiration is to discover my ideal career.  Although I do not know what professional field I would like to enter, I believe discovering my ideal job is vital. When I discover what this is, I will set goals that are tailored to it. It is important to find a job that I am passionate about because it will drive me and push me to do well in that field. One field I would love to explore is accountancy. I would like to be a pro-bono accountant so that I can consult the general public, teaching them to manage their finances, as I have seen its importance.

Being an NYNY Fellow means that I have mentors who are there to help when I fall down or am lost. That is important because I did not receive this kind of help while growing up. Being an NYNY Fellow means that I need to uphold a standard, being professional and responsible so that I can uphold the title of Fellow. It also means that when I encounter the real world, I need to present myself well because I do not only represent myself, but my parents and New York Needs You as well. Being a part of NYNY is a true honor.