Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (Required for all applicants. Approximately 250 words)
The store’s front door cracked open slightly, with a woman holding the door open so her daughter could hurry through. Although I had only been at the swim shop for a few weeks, I knew that I was part of a community brought together by our desire to inform and help customers with all their particular preferences. This woman who walked into the store mentioned that after her battle with breast cancer, she wanted to get back into shape through aquatic exercise. Her motivation, she chuckled, was a bold swimsuit that made her feel excited to work out.
I immediately wanted to help, hoping that my keen eye for fashion could come in handy. I showed her all the sample options for suits, trying to satisfy her desire for a suit that mixed in bright colors and had a flattering fit. As she narrowed down her choices, we were ready to search the database for the suits she wanted. As I took down the suit labels, other sales associates checked for the suits in her size from the back warehouse and others called the other warehouse for inventory.
Our commitment to her to leave pleased wasn’t anything new. In the weeks I’ve worked in the store, I experienced a community that fostered building strong relationships with customers. From those in the store, I learned how to communicate clearly with customers to meet their needs. From a young swimmer who was buying her first competition swimsuit to a dad who was purchasing earplugs for his son who received ear surgery, I was able to fulfill their specific needs through the dedication I gained in the community.