Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner once said, “In order to understand the world; one must first understand a place like Mississippi.” Being from Faulkner’s hometown in Oxford, Mississippi, I cannot help but relate to his novels, which convey the realistic, dirt and dust life of the U.S. South. My understanding of Mississippi instilled in me a desire to understand the world, and as a result, I am currently a student at the Bush School of Government and Public Service working toward completing a Master’s degree in International Affairs. As a result of my education, I have developed skills in numerous areas, including (but not limited to) leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, and communications.

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I spent the majority of my life imagining that I would be going into a medical professional, such as becoming a doctor or pharmacist. Regardless of the career, I knew that I wanted to help people and contribute to society as a public servant. During my senior year of high school, my parents suggested studying Chinese and honing my analytical skills in order to pursue a career in government.

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After graduating from the University of Mississippi’s Honors College with majors in International Studies and Chinese and a minor in Intelligence and Security Studies, I knew that I wanted to pursue my education somewhere outside of my Mississippi bubble. It did not take long for Texas A&M’s Bush School for Government and Public Service to quickly rise to the top of my list. I was initially drawn to the Bush School due to its namesake, George HW Bush, being one of my personal role models due to his dedication to public service and admirable values.

 

My time at the Bush School has been extremely rewarding from both a personal and professional standpoint. I have learned more about myself in two years than in the previous twenty-four. I discovered that I have a passion for unexpected fields of study, specifically nuclear security and Chinese missile capabilities.

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I still want to serve the public, but in a field that is very different than medicine. According to Faulkner’s standards, I am ready to understand the world, and I would like to further that with my future career. I cannot wait to utilize my degrees and see the world while I’m at it.