I was told that college goes by in the blink of an eye. I didn't believe it, up until now. Now, I am that very person telling everyone else to cherish every moment of their college experience because it really does go by in the blink of an eye.My college experience at USC has shaped the person and athlete that I am today. Two of the most important aspects that I have learned throughout my years here are to be opportunistic and to not be afraid to discover who you really are.
Opportunity
I remember stepping on campus the first day of my freshman year. I remember all of the overwhelming feelings of excitement, nervousness, anxiety and fear pulsating throughout my body. Wrapped up in the frosh frenzy, I never once took advantage of the many resources that USC has to offer by reaching out to my professors, coaching staff, athletic department or academic advisers. I thought my voice was irrelevant since I was only a freshman. However, I soon learned that USC stresses the importance of establishing connections and taking advantage of every opportunity. I took this to heart and started to reach out to professors for help and advice for the future. Through my connections, I established relationships, which proved to be very beneficial as I was able to attain an internship at Fox Sports. As a communication major, I took advantage of the resources provided to me by the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and began attending guest lectures. This allowed me to build relationships and discover other interests outside of soccer. As I began to get out of my comfort zone and become more opportunistic in the academic world, I realized that I had nothing to lose and so much more to gain.
As an athlete, I began to see games and practices as an opportunity. It has been an honor and a privilege to be able to represent the University of Southern California every day, while playing the sport that I love. I developed the mentality of trying to capitalize on every opportunity afforded to me. Every time I stepped on the field, I fought for my teammates, coaches, program, university and family. Not many people get to say that they had the chance to do that, which is why I feel so fortunate. As time progressed, I also saw an opportunity to be a leader. I was a little hesitant to take on this role since I had always thought of myself as a "leader by example" rather than one by voice. My coach at the time told me there was no such thing as "leading by example", and that I must lead by my voice. Taking advantage of that opportunity, I began to make my voice heard. That leap paid off as I was honored as team captain my junior and senior seasons. As a captain, I fine-tuned my leadership attributes and learned lessons and skills such as responsibility, organization, mentoring and empathy that I will carry with me beyond my college years.Discovering My Identity
Most college students encounter a bump in the road at some point. It's just bound to happen. My bump unexpectedly hit my junior year, when I introspectively questioned who I was beyond the world of soccer and school. What do I actually want to do with my life? What is my true identity? I have been a student and soccer player my entire life. I soon found myself in a slump that was very hard to reverse. The one thing I can't thank USC enough for is lending a hand to help me out of this hole. USC allowed me to discover my identity. Through the wide variety of programs and groups in the university, I was able to find that I had strong interests outside of soccer. I found out that I had a passion for sports broadcasting through the multiple communication courses that I enrolled in and the interviews that I was allowed to conduct through the athletic department for my soccer team. There are few better places than USC to develop and hone broadcasting skills. Never in my life did I think I would be interested in anything other than soccer. But low and behold, sports broadcasting had my name on it.
Fight On Forever
I am so appreciative and thankful to have attended such an amazing university, rich in academic resources and superior athletic programs. It's difficult to summarize a four-year experience in one short speech for something that has had an unimaginable effect on me. Four years of extensive opportunities and experiences have gone by in the blink of an eye. I've followed my passions, discovered new interests, developed invaluable relationships and grown as an individual. USC will always hold a special place in my heart and although my graduation date is near, the legacy will forever Fight On!
