I am the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who have been part of the working class since they entered the United States. I am also the youngest of three children and the only one in my family to consider and take the steps necessary to pursue a career as a scientist or medical professional. Despite how simple these statements may come across, they are a testament of societal and economic barriers that have influenced my education. Based upon my parents’ cultural background and the failure of education systems to expose my family to careers in the medical field aside from physicians, my parents are unaware of one of the careers I am considering. Also, as individuals who migrated to the states late in life and have remained in the working class…show more content… Hearing my peers talk about the happiness their parents felt when they defended their thesis or how they shadowed their parents or aunts have made me realize how my parents’ class level and immigrant status potentially acts as a disadvantage. Along with the lack of connections, my parents’ acknowledgment of a medical doctor as the only type of doctor has contributed to my confusion and hesitation in deciding between medical school and graduate school. In recognizing these barriers, I have looked to minorities who have faced similar barriers by joining mentorship programs and finding mentors in club leaders. By joining the ToxMSDT mentorship program that pairs students from diverse backgrounds with accomplished toxicologist, I was able to build a relationship with a professional who has given me the tools to help my parents understand the career I am considering, helped me practice presentations, and has given me access to her network to consult with other professionals. Connecting with my mentor has encouraged me to form a network such as hers with my other ambitious peers who are similarly disadvantaged because of societal, cultural, or class…show more content… The fear of debt I developed from experiencing my parents dodging calls from Sallie Mae, encouraged me to fulfill all the requirements I needed to get the most supportive academic Georgia scholarships, which has helped relieve some of the burdens of my school’s hefty tuition. However, losing the GI Bill, my father losing his job, and my parents’ shaky credit history has made affording Agnes difficult. My economic struggles have contributed to my resourcefulness and have motivated me to maintain my grades in order to remain in good standing with my scholarships, which has inadvertently opened many doors for me. My academic standing has allowed me to apply to REU programs which promise me the opportunity to experience research, develop laboratory skills, and earn money that can be put towards tuition payments and
