The Audacity of Success, Essay Example

Growing up in Thailand, I was raised by parents who worked hard to provide for me, who lived their lives day in and day out to give me the best that they could. I was fortunate for many reasons, but above all I was blessed with two people who taught me about the journey to success.  I learned early on that success does not come easy, and that it isn’t a gift that is handed to you. Their example has been my inspiration, and I have made it my life’s goal to help the legacy of their hard work live on for many years to come. It is a journey that I am very excited to continue, and I know that an important step can be taken as a student in the Graduate Program in Banking and Financial Law at Boston University.

My decision to apply to this program has a strong personal influence due to my parents’ sacrifices to make a better life for us.  Shortly after I was born, they becamehighly respected and successful in real estate development and international trade.  When I became a teenager the economic tide began to turn unexpectedly in Asia.  In the midst of this recession, many companies went bankrupt and millions of people lost their jobs, much like our current situation in the U.S.  The downturn also affected my family, and we immigrated to America to partner with my aunt, who had been working here as an entrepreneur and was a founding partner in the successful Nevada-based First Asian Bank.  While it was the best decision, the culture shock of moving across the worldresonated throughout my school experiences.  In my first days here, I was a virtual deaf-mute in this new English-speaking world, and was stunned by the presence of so many non-Thai human beings. At home, we were conditioned to only listen and learn, but here I was expected to talk and participate in class.Even as my English skills slowly grew, I still felt inferior to my American classmates.  After three years in high school, my language skills vastly improved and the fear of being an outsider faded away.  This struggle was a big factor in initially pursuing a career in teaching.  But through the years other decisions helped me turn back to strong roots and choose a career path that would honor my family.It was their giving nature and respect for honest, hard work that helped me make the choice to study law. While earning a J.D. made my parents proud, I knew that I had to do more.  I needed to find a way to give back, to help them foster their new American business venture. Instead of joining the ranks of the company’s MBA-holding employees, I chose to receive a superior legal education so that I could serve as an executive with a solid background in both the financial industry and the justice system.

The dual education received from my financial and legal studies will be the cornerstone for building a solid career in the banking and financial systems market.  I am fortunate to be closely related to the rapidly growing First Asian Bank, and my aunt and parents are excited about the possibility of expansion, and are planning to open a branch in Asia.  My goal is to spearhead this endeavor for the company, because of my close ties to the company and qualifications as a bilingual, multi-cultural Asian native.  I cannot think of a better way to protect and increase my family’s success than being hands-on in a project that will elevate First Asian to the global market.  With markets in the East strengthening exponentially, the timing could not be better.

In addition to my graduate education, I have gained valuable experience in the professional world that will contribute to meeting the challenges as a student in the Graduate Program.  After graduating high school, I decided to spend some time giving back to the United States, the country that gave my family – and so many countless others – another chance to start our lives again.  I joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and learned how to be an outstanding soldier and leader in my deployments to Kuwait and Iraq.  In 2007, I was honorably discharged.  I then entered college, with the financial and emotional support from my parents.  I earned Associate’s Degrees in Science, Arts, and General Studies from the College of Southern Nevada, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While attending school full-time, I volunteered as a community development aide for my local temple, spoke and taught about my multi-cultural experience as a Thai-American, and became a Co-Partner at Financial and Real Estate – National Group LLC,providing clients with assistance in completing real estate transactions and dealing with banks on their behalf.  Although I left the company in 2008 to attend law school– with a perfect track record in customer service – I left with a different perspective on banking systems, and gained experience that I know will help me in my career. To enhance my perspective on the workings of the legal system, I have spent the past two years participating in internship programs at both the Massachusetts State House as well as the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.  I have had the opportunity to studylaw in both its creation and in its enforcement. These programs allowed me to apply the knowledge I obtained in school and hone my analytical skills.

In spite of what I have truly learned, I do realize that my academic record my not seem as exemplary as your other applicants.  The University of Massachusetts School of Law implements a highly competitive scale grading system when reviewing exams.  The current passing grade is 60%, therefore making 65% a satisfactory grade. A score of 70% is remarkable, and any score above that is rarely achieved. Additionally, the school does not utilize class rankings.  However, of the 110 students in my first-year class, I am one of only 27 remaining.

I choose to finish my academic journey in the Graduate Program in Banking and Financial Law at Boston University for the reasons any serious student dedicated to success has: the unrivaled academic reputation, the university community, ideal geographical location, the unique curriculum philosophy, and a flexible approach to study.  As I look forward to continuing my education, I believe that an LL.M degree would undoubtedly further my professional growth in becoming a competent banker and business innovator. Since I arrived in America, I have been on a journey to honor my family and their sacrifices for me by becoming the very best, and I know that by taking my final steps here, I can truly call myself a success.