Personal Essay

My Life's Inflection Point

Thank you for taking the time to read my essay. Your consideration means a great deal to me.
Growing up, I always admired my dad's passion for photography and videography. It wasn’t until a winter vacation crisis that I truly stepped into his shoes, taking on the responsibility of capturing a couple's most important day while also protecting my dad's business reputation.
My dad used to run a photography and videography business and he had been hired for an Ethiopian wedding. When he fell ill right before the event, I saw the desperation in his eyes. He was determined to be there for the couple but his illness left him drained and overwhelmed.
Seeing my dad struggle stirred a deep sense of empathy within me. I couldn’t just stand by and watch him bear this burden, especially knowing how much this wedding meant to both him and the couple. In that moment, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to step up and support him. I knew I had to help him fulfill his commitment, which became a defining moment of growth and self-discovery for me. My values of responsibility and family loyalty motivated me to take action. Having grown up observing my dad's work, I had always been a spectator with many questions during the early days of the business. However, in that moment of urgency and uncertainty, I realized it was time for me to step up.
Determined to fulfill the contract with the customer and ensure the couple's memories were beautifully captured, I resolved to coordinate the camera crew on the spot. Drawing on my seven years of experience in soccer, where I developed strong coordination skills, I recognized valuable parallels between leading a soccer team and managing a camera crew. I understood that just as in soccer, where teamwork is essential for success, effective collaboration among the camera crew would be crucial in capturing the wedding beautifully. I understood that assigning roles, timing our actions and maintaining effective communication were essential in both environments. With this insight, I focused on implementing these principles throughout the wedding.
After the event, as I reviewed the raw footage, a sense of pride washed over me. My dad's expression of gratitude and pride meant everything to me. Seeing the relief on my dad’s face, especially after such a long day, filled me with joy and highlighted the importance of what I had done. This moment deepened our bond and taught me a valuable lesson about stepping outside my comfort zone. It reinforced my belief that taking initiative can lead to personal growth and strengthen relationships. I realized that resilience and adaptability are essential when unexpected challenges arise.
This experience strengthened my belief in servant leadership and the meaningful impact we can have by helping others. I’m eager to carry these lessons into my future, both academically and in my efforts to create a supportive and inclusive environment. As I move forward, I will forge my own path by prioritizing the needs of those around me and becoming a person that leads not by authority but by example. True leadership means serving others and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and inspired. As I face the challenges and opportunities for growth ahead, I am excited to share my experiences and values with a community that inspires and supports one another.