Last month I celebrated accepting my first internship. This is something which I have worked toward for years. During high school it was registering for increasingly difficult courses and sacrificing time during lunch and after school to go to teachers for extra help to ensure that I did well. Now, at college, I have continued to push myself by taking advanced engineering courses and holding demanding, rewarding leadership positions in my fraternity and clubs. My jubilation with getting this internship caused me to reflect on the people who helped get me to where I am today. For me, it is easy to trace my accomplishments back to my parents, Nicole and Matthew.

Growing up, my mom has always been a steadfast and immensely influential figure in my life. Being the recipient of her unconditional love taught me how to lead with my heart; by holding myself to high moral standards and taking pride in hard work and always doing what is right. Witnessing her as a successful entrepreneur and owner of four yoga studios motivates me to emulate her work ethic and pour my full effort into all my endeavors.

Likewise, my dad has been an incredible role model for me. When he was my age, he was an achiever, and went on to graduate from medical school and become a successful doctor. Some of my early memories with him revolve around us playing games, where he sat on the floor with me and tested my ability to identify all my Star Wars character action figures. From an early age he was devoted to bringing out my potential. I attribute my sense of focus and my relentless drive to him as well.

This achievement reminded me to appreciate my roots. I am proud of myself because I put in the hours of hard work which ultimately allowed me to secure such an amazing internship opportunity. That being said, my parents raised me into the person that I am today, and I would not possess my dedication and aspirations without them. I cannot imagine a world with them not in it because they have been so vital to me at every single milestone of my life.

Just like a tree cannot prosper without strong roots, I could not have arrived to where I am without the guidance and love from my parents. This internship is a kickstart to a bright career for me and it is just as much a tribute to them for making me the person that I am today.

Jared Zornitzer is a full-time college student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY studying engineering. An advocate of balancing work and school with exercise and healthy living, he loves hiking, biking, running, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and learning in his classes.