Being from a business oriented family, I am really structured around business which explains my interest in getting a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. I would like to accomplish this degree within 3-4 years and be done with school earlier than the average student. My plan is to take a maximum number of credits for the Fall and Spring semester, while taking summer classes to help me get all of my classes in that I need and utilizing my time effectively. I am also a Kalamazoo Promise student from Kalamazoo, which helps me pay for 85% of my college and since I am a first year for this scholarship program, Western has offered free dorms, which I will get for the 4 years I attend WMU. I intend to take full advantage of this program to help me save for after college, to hopefully purchase a house, and I will do my best to be a good example of a child who would not have attended college, when given a chance had excelled beyond the doubts of others. My goal is to graduate with atleast a 3.0 GPA and get into the Haworth College of Business to finish my degree. My plans are to start my own business, take over my stepfather's business (which I already work in), or to find a company to work my way up in to become a high status manager.

However, college is not just for going to class and getting degrees, but to create life experiences to help prepare and guide you through the transition between youth and adulthood. My time in college I will use to build upon my character and help learn appropriate ways to solve issues that will arise at some time in my life. Personally I am hoping to gain friends and skills that will help me throughout my upcoming career. From just one year at Western Michigan I have learned so much about people, problem-solving, and life's hardships. Being a young student I know I have so much to learn still, but I am not discouraged, I am excited to start learning more, because I know it will help me to accelerate myself in the career world, and life.

One year has passed, but my transition from childhood to adulthood is just beginning.

Jessica Watts