Deciding My Future- A Shocking Revelation by Justin

Deciding My Future- A Shocking Revelation by Justin - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

From a very early age, when I first started drawing, I found myself sketching geometric shapes, such as triangles, squares, and circles. I drew curves, lines, and angles and enjoyed shading the areas in between. It was my mom who often stated that my abstract drawings reminded her of being on a ride at an amusement park. She would comment on how my drawings seemed to have many twists and turns like the tracks of a roller coaster and in many ways, she was right. I often drew pictures that resembled roller coasters and my fascination with them grew into a desire to build them in the online game, Roblox.
In the game of Roblox, I would spend hours designing and constructing the tracks, creating lifts, drops, twists, turns, and even loops. Whenever my family had the chance to ride a roller coaster at a local theme park, I would study the way it was designed, paying attention to the details, and try recreating something similar, or even something bigger and better, in my Roblox game. I expanded my virtual world of designing roller coasters with also designing houses and buildings, such as schools and large warehouses.
As I got older, my fascination with how things were designed in the virtual world of Roblox began to take shape in the real world. Right before I turned 17, I was given the opportunity to purchase and restore an old pick-up truck. This truck needed extensive restoration. For instance, the bed of the truck had to be completely replaced due to it rotting from years of carrying fertilizer. The process of disassembling and reassembling parts, sanding, and repainting the truck allowed me to apply my interest in design and problem-solving in a new, hands-on approach. I knew that each part of the truck had a purpose, and I had to figure out how to put each piece that I took off back together. It sparked my interest even more to pursue higher education in a field where I could be involved in the process of creating and building. I realized that the skills that I had been using in Roblox and my interest for understanding how things worked could be applied to tangible projects.
I recently visited an architecture firm to tour the facility, and it was an eye-opening experience for me. I saw people using computer-aided design (CAD) and found it fascinating watching them create plans for buildings and structures. It seemed to be like Roblox in a sense, as both involve designing virtual spaces, but CAD is more detailed and focuses on real world uses. After meeting with the architects and exploring the various aspects of the profession, I realized that this was the field I wanted to pursue. It combines both creativity and problem solving. At the end of the visit, the architect offered me an unpaid internship to start learning AutoCAD over the summer. I am excited to take this first step in my future to become an architect. It will allow me to further develop the skills needed and gain a deeper understanding of the industry. I hope to seek more internships during my time in college to gain hands on experience and learning from professionals in the field.
To take the first steps toward my goal of becoming an architect, I plan to start my journey at Valencia College and earn my AA degree. The school offers a 2+2+2 architecture degree pathway program, which will allow me to earn my AA degree and then transfer to the University of Central Florida for my bachelor’s degree and to the University of Florida for my master’s degree.
Looking back, it is clear to me how much my early interest in drawing geometric shapes, designing roller coasters in Roblox, and the hands-on experience I gained when restoring a truck have shaped my interest in architecture. At the time, I never fully understood how these things that seemed unrelated came together to form a clear path for my future. But now, as a senior, I am confident in the direction that I am heading. I am excited and ready to take on the challenges and the opportunities that will arise while pursuing my dreams and goals.