What is your proudest achievement outside the workplace, and how has it impacted you?

My proudest achievement is my advancement as a ballerina and the life lessons I have learned through my journey. Two years ago, I decided to pursue ballet as a way to exercise and challenge myself. Along the way, I have discovered how ballet has allowed me to practice values that matter to me most – discipline, leadership, and teamwork.

My interest in ballet stemmed from my childhood years as a gymnast and the time I spent coaching youth gymnastics in college. Through my training as a gymnast, I developed the courage to set and pursue goals purposefully, along with a relentless worth ethic. I was extremely dedicated and always pushed myself to improve, learn new skills, and work with my team to excel in competitions. I learned at a young age to balance the demands of school and gymnastics, and that discipline has provided me with a solid foundation for my life.

Taking steps to further improve my mind and body, I enrolled in a local ballet program. I was a beginner and initially felt overshadowed by the many professional and lifelong dancers in the class. While I faced a steep learning curve, it was my determination to improve that gave me the drive to overcome the challenges of being a beginner. By applying myself with focus and consistency, I recently earned a spot alongside the more advanced dancers, most of whom have been ballerinas since childhood. I am proud of my achievement in advancing to this elite group and of how this success has shaped my self-awareness. I apply the same mental and physical discipline to mastering every goal I define for myself. The dedication with which I approach ballet mirrors the effort I have put into advancing my education, both as a college student and after graduation. Academic growth is a goal I have set for myself. Since earning my undergraduate degree in Economics, I furthered my education with a Certificate in Budget and Finance from Georgetown University and also took legislative and budget process courses offered by the Congressional Research Service of the United States Congress. I rely on my steadfast work ethic and thoughtful planning in reaching each of these academic milestones.

Ballet has showed me the value of leading by example. I have benefited from learning from the more advanced dancers; as I improve as a ballerina, I am able to set examples for other members of the class. I also actively lead by example in my professional life. As the senior research assistant and intern coordinator at XYZ, I display a high standard of efficiency and dedication for others to follow. I am responsible for training and managing new researchers and interns. I not only provide direction on projects, but also foster an ethical and cooperative environment through mutual respect and recognition of the strengths of those around me. I have been able to realize teamwork in action as I support other ballet dancers with my natural ability to energize my peers towards our common goal. I actively contribute teams outside of dance through community experiences such as working with a church group to repair houses on Native American reservations. In my professional life, the work I do at XYZ is highly collaborative, and I work with policy advisers and economists to produce reports. My coworkers and I play on a Congressional-league softball team, which has fostered even more cooperation among the staff. I have taken advantage of the opportunities the team provides to network with the Senator’s staff to help streamline communication between our offices. Teamwork is essential to success, and ballet has reinforced that synergy.

When I decided to enter this ballet program, I did not know how much I would evolve holistically. I am proud that I have taken on the challenge of becoming a more advanced dancer and applying those lessons throughout my life. My achievement in ballet reflects my commitment to discipline, leadership, and teamwork. I am excited to leverage these qualities in the Anderson MBA program and my future success as a fully-engaged and charismatic leader.