Empowerly

Student profile

Just days before we were set to leave for the biggest contest of our lives, my DECA team and I were scrambling to finish our business presentation. Investigating Chase’s community outreach programs and operations proved more difficult than expected, as we had to conduct surveys and interviews while delving through complex financial jargon. Analytics proved useful, but our research unexpectedly required empathy as well. We discovered that a combination of conversational and professional tone was best received, and eventually we received a steady stream of responses. We found that the branch did not market to the community and instead relied only on the parent company’s marketing, an inefficient approach given the number of banks in the area. We then formulated a multifaceted plan to expand within the community and created a precise budget to follow.

We saw a need for empathy both in the process of our marketing research and within our team dynamic itself. Challenges such as directional conflict and laziness had ailed us throughout the report-making process, but listening to each other enabled us to compromise on disputes in content, presentation and workload. We cooperated to complete the project successfully, and in one of my proudest accomplishments, our report and presentation won 4th place in an international competition.

While DECA taught me the importance of empathy and analytics in business, the combination of these skills has helped me thrive in other high pressure situations. Since a young age, my friends have often approached me when they struggle with family problems, relationship issues, or general stress. Many of them aren't able to have another cathartic outlet due to social stigmas against therapy or familial stereotypes, so I serve as their central support system, helping them through anxiety attacks and breakdowns. Similar to how businesses analyze what motivates consumers, I had to distinguish what drove my friends as human beings and how each individual would respond to reward and rejection.

My most challenging experience was on December 11th, 2016, when I faced the most intense situation yet. My best friend, whose problems with family, school, and relationships caused previous instances of anxiety and self-harm, had reached a crisis point.

Around 11:30 PM that night, I got a text. “I can’t breathe.” I immediately rose to respond and quickly realized that my best friend was undergoing suicidal ideation. Her family did not support therapy and she refused to call a hotline. I didn't know what else to do. So I made the most stressful phone call of my life.

I found myself pulling some of my more business-centric skills into a personal side of my life as I researched on my laptop for concrete solutions to the situation at hand. I began by instilling positivity through pride: I reminded her of when she made it into her dream dance show, and described all the people who genuinely cared for her. After nearly 30 minutes, I turned to driving optimism and hope by repeating the words “Everything will be okay.” After several repetitions, I had her repeat after me, and after some reluctance, she eventually began speaking. As her voice recovered, I began hearing my confident best friend return. Around 2 AM, her condition had improved immensely and she fell asleep unharmed.

Both formal experiences such as DECA and more personal interactions have taught me the importance of both analytics and empathy. I use analytics to approach every situation methodically, but combine that with a sense of empathy so I remain adaptable to any situation and any group of people. I am certain that this identity will translate over to my collegiate life and classmates as well. I find these two personality traits inextricably interwoven, and find them essential to my understanding of self.