Petraglia 1

Grace Petraglia
Ms. Gardner
English 10/Per. 6
1 March 2016
Reflection
The projects of Ms. Gardners English Honors 10 class are infamous: information
and stories are passed from past to present to future students. However, this project,
the rsum, evaded my radar. Nevertheless, this might have just been the most pivotal
project to the success of my future. This rsum forced me to think; to look the great
unknown in the eyes and face it; to accept that I will have to grow up; to find a place for
myself, my ideas, my aspirations. I cant say that I ever had a dream before this point in
my life; there has been no major goal to drive me through school besides the fear of a
bad grade. By being mandated to investigate the likes of our future, I found my driving
force. However, before I got my head stuck too high in the clouds of newfound dreams, I
was brought to the reality of an economy where jobs are harder to find and keep. Lucky
for me, but not for the world, my chosen profession, environmental science, is looking at
a rapid influx of new jobs due to the poor health conditions of Earth.
When I started the one thing I knew for sure was the need to do something that I
thought of as meaningful. Something that would make an impact on the world. This
gave me the opportunity to explore science related careers: something Ive had an urge
to do ever since Australia, but never had the guts to do because science has always
been my weakest class. Also because it would shock my parents with such electricity
their hair would be singed off. With any luck, I will make a difference, and I hope I do
because our planet is certainly in need of change. I found with pleasure that the career
path of environmental science fits my needs just about as perfect as one can dream; I
have the chance to travel, to spend time in nature, and contribute to solving the most

Petraglia 2

pressing issue on our planet. Not to mention studying in one of my most cherished cities
of the world: San Francisco.
Coming to the part of having to contact someone, I was daunted and doubtful,
but then I had a revelation; this was something that people do: contact each other.
Suddenly I realized that I could contact whoever I wanted whenever and for whatever
reason. This idea that people were this untapped resource was so intriguing and
refreshing. Needless to say, this epiphany got me excited, so I contacted three
scientists from National Geographic and a businessman and woman from different
environmental conservation related companies to ensure my chances of a reply. Seeing
as my excitement was ramped up, I felt profound disappointed by their lack of response.
However, their lack of response did in its own way give me an answer. That is what the
life of a scientist is likeso busy and work so important that the significance of email is
lost. To be liberated from the shackles of social media obligations, that sounds like a
goal Id like to pursue. Unless of course, they just didnt reply, but I prefer to believe the
former reason.
Consequently, building up my faux rsum was a positive experience, and
although I am aware that I took only the slightest dip in the pool of the adult and working
life, it gave me a bump of confidence and assurance.