When I sat down to write my college admissions essay as a 17-year-old, I confidently wrote that I was going to change the world by enhancing the quality of life for those suffering from chronic illness. I had the grades, the drive and most importantly, the inspiration in the form of my two cousins who were born with cystic fibrosis. I had seen them grow up swallowing huge pills and wearing medical devices to ease their pain as they persevered through this illness. As the time came to declare a major, I knew without a doubt I wanted to be a nurse to make the world a better place for people like my cousins.
However, after a semester of volunteering at a renowned hospital in my college town, I realized that my skill sets and queasy stomach were formidable obstacles in my pursuit of a medical career. Discouraged and unsure of where I fit, I made my way down to the College of Journalism and Communications. I had a heart for non-profit organizations like St. Jude’s Research Hospital and thought, “If I can’t help patients directly, I’ll learn how to raise support for people who can.”
Three and a half years later, I graduated with a degree in public relations and started working for a college where I could work with and be mentored by those who worked in development raising money for the research performed in the university.
But I had swung the pendulum too far. As much as I loved to see the dollar amounts raised for organizations I trusted, I wanted a more “hands-on” approach. I knew I would never be the doctor who finds the cure for cancer or the mechanically-minded researcher who creates a life-enhancing medical device, but these were the kinds of people I wanted around me.
After a year of working at Component Supply, I know I’ve found the perfect fit. I’m fascinated by the work of researchers and product designers in the universities and research labs around the world. I want to equip these world-changers with the most comprehensive information about the components they use. I want to share their stories, their needs and their advancements with the world in hopes that someone somewhere might have a piece of information that can fill in the blanks of their research. No, I can’t find the cures to the world’s complicated diseases, but I can put components in the hands of people who can. Of course, it’s a small part I play, but it’s what we’re about at Component Supply: giving the brightest, most creative minds in the world access to quality components so they can change the world.
