<pre><code> Success is a very abstract term that means different things to different people. Though the definition may vary, it is clear that most people strive for this sense of accomplishment in life. For some, it may mean earning the highest salary, or driving the nicest car; but for me, success is not measured in dollars & cents or the having the finest things. I believe succeeding is waking up in the morning and loving what you do. It is working hard and never giving up on turning your dreams into reality.
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<p>The reason behind my definition of success comes from my father. Before I was born, my father worked two jobs. From delivering pizza to cleaning offices, he did anything he could to support his growing family; and was not ashamed in the least. When my mother became pregnant with me, my father decided that he would go back to college and get a degree in computer programming. He was always interested in computers and this was a field that he particularly enjoyed. He spent time with his children in the day, and worked and took classes in the night. It was not easy for him, but he did what he needed for his wife and six children. Eventually he was hired by a company where he could put his degree to use and at the same time be making more money for his family. Things were looking out for him. My father moved us into a well-fit home, and was planning to get a promoted in the job that he enjoyed. Through all his devotion and hard work, he accomplished what was once deemed impractical for him. Though he was moving on to bigger and better things, my father’s life was cut short on the day of September 11th, 2001. The company that he worked for was housed by the World Trade Center, and he died from the terrorist attacks. For my father, success was making his family happy, and supporting us to the fullest. He worked hard for the goal he had set for himself, and accomplished it by just that. He could have given up when times got hard, but he persisted. In the end, not only did he support his family, but he did it doing what he loved to do.</p>
<p>Remembering my father’s life and what he valued most proves an important understanding for me. The understanding being that if I am really passionate about something, I should not give up on it no matter what happens—and that is how I will reach success. As early as the age of 11, I have always had an adoration for fashion. Putting together outfits was something that I took pride in. For me, it was a creative way to express and feel good about myself. It was not until the end of middle school when I found out that I could actually take this passion and put it into a career. When I realized I could turn this into my future, I did my research and learned about fashion marketing. It appealed to me because it is a way to let others know about upcoming trends. I loved to keep up with the new clothes or accessories that were going in style, and wanted others to know about them as well. I enjoyed magazines such as “Vogue” and “ELLE” because I could gain knowledge about those latest trends; I took fashion classes where I learned how to showcase clothing to different markets; and did my best to reach out to various fashion schools to learn more about the fashion marketing field. Paired with starting my own style blog and interning for _____also gave me a great deal of experience as well. The fashion industry is something that I am deeply passionate about. I love it because it is an art form that everybody can express in their own personal way. It would be an honor to share that passion and enthusiasm with other colleagues and mentors at FIT. Making a career out of something I love is success in my eyes and attending The Fashion Institute of Technology is the perfect place for me to reach my goal of success. </p>