I have a vision. I envision myself in my cap and gown getting handed a diploma cover shouting at my video camera, “I graduated college debt-free!Afterward, calling Dave Ramsey to let him know the good news. By graduating debt-free, it’ll inspire students to reach higher for a degree without accepting student loans. Envisioning an event is easy, but making it into a reality is a challenge. First, I wrote on a piece of paper, “ULTIMATE college goal: graduate debt-free.” I keep this in my binder as a reminder. Next, is side hustling.
Selling Candy Bars In High School
In high school, I resold candy bars. I was not doing so well. I resold five items a day. Then during cheer practice, I randomly said, “Hey! I sell snacks.” After that, I resold up to 20 junk foods a day. That side hustle prepared me for adulting. I learned that your business might not be successful at first, but with persistence, you get to watch it grow.
After high school graduation, my mom said that she was no longer going to pay my cell phone bill. Therefore, that encouraged me to get a job at age 18. Additionally, I work as a Service Champion at Taco Bell. I work part-time. Plus, I qualify for two scholarships at Taco Bell: The Live Más Scholarship and the Yum! Andy Pearson Scholarship. I won both of these awards and realized that I had found a new side hustle, and that is applying for scholarships.
Students have the perception that scholarships are a waste of time because the chances of winning are unlikely. On the other hand, if I meet the scholarship’s criteria, I apply; even if my chances are low, I won’t find out if I’ve been rejected nor won if I do not try. I apply for one scholarship that I qualify for every month.
Starting A Photography Business
Another side hustle of mine is photography. I started my photography business in high school. After my first senior prom photo shoot, I practiced and learned all of the features that my DSLR offers. I even took a photography course in community college. I shoot in natural light; I specialize in candid and still-life photography.
My goal as a photographer is to make my clients feel comfortable so that they can be themselves and pretend that the camera is not there. I do this by helping my clients feel confident by complementing their features that stand out and persuading them to work the camera. I also treat them as if we’ve known each other for months. It helps form an intimate bond. Usually so friendly, my clients invite me for lunch after the photo shoot, which I genuinely appreciate. Building a healthy interpersonal relationship with clients who don’t know me personally, but continuing business prepares me for what I want to do in the future, and that is interviewing.
Long Term Goals
My career goals are TV corresponding for E! News and full-time content creating. Both sound impossible to accomplish, but I will get there with my competitiveness, patience, persistence, and skills.
I started a YouTube channel so that I could gain hands-on experience with audio, filming, screenwriting, and editing. Through my social media platforms, I have developed a positive brand for myself. Ultimately, my college goal is to graduate debt-free. If I accomplish that task with the help of scholarships, I will further my education at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Lastly, I am a content creator. I am earning a small amount on YouTube. I have two channels. One is a lifestyle/educational channel, and the second is a vlog channel. Because I’ve been working in the fast-food industry for four years now, I teach future employees how to get an interview, how to dress for a fast-food job interview, and how to answer typical interview questions. Then, I publish lifestyle videos like hauls, DIYs, product reviews, and money-saving tips.
On the second channel, I record my college experience at CSUF. Not everyone has the opportunity to attend school outside of their hometown. Therefore, I created this channel for students.
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Check out the other finalists here: 2018 Side Hustlin’ Student Scholarship Results Page.