Scholarship Finalist - Matthew Miller

Matthew is a Sophomore at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Marketing.

Prompt: Share a personal story of how you overcame a major life challenge or obstacle and what lessons you learned that prepared you for college and beyond. How will these experiences provide you with a unique perspective in pursuing a career in business?

As a Junior in high school, I faced one of the most challenging periods of my life when my father unexpectedly lost his job. Overnight, the funds that were supporting me, my family, and our education were gone, and we found ourselves scrambling. I felt an immense amount of weight stack up, as I had to worry about funding my education and other necessities. I was determined to help out as much as possible. I took two part-time jobs, working in landscaping and at a sandwich shop. I would cut about four grasses right after school and then get ready to go work at the sub shop until close. Although maintaining two jobs was tough, I managed to keep good grades in high school and ended with a 4.0. The experiences taught me how to adapt and be resourceful. I was able to take stress of my parents by being able to provide for myself and earn some extra money. The lessons have profoundly shaped my perspective for a career in business. I understand the resilience and determination that is needed to navigate through hard times. My experience has given me an empathetic view, allowing me to relate to clients facing their own challenges. Overall, overcoming this obstacle reinforced my belief that hard work can get through any challenge. My qualities of determination and perseverance, combined with my firsthand experience of working and adapting, will allow me to bring a valuable perspective to the business world. I believe in turning obstacles into opportunities for self-growth.