Personal Growth: Letter of Introduction

My name is Isabel Dong. I was born in Pleasanton, California, and have lived in this city my whole life. I grew up with my two parents who emigrated from China and my older brother. My parents worked hard to provide my brother and me with opportunities for our future through a good education. Through my family’s influence, I gained a strong work ethic and a drive to achieve. Being surrounded by so many different cultures and people in the Bay Area has affected my outlook on life by giving me an appreciation for the creativity and innovation that diversity offers. My upbringing has taught me to appreciate internal self-discipline and responsibility as well as interpersonal relationships.

In terms of career aspirations, I plan to major in business with a concentration in finance. I am also interested in minoring in data science. In regard to personal aspirations, I hope to someday travel the world with the people that I love. Meeting new people and immersing myself in different cultures has always appealed to me. I want to become a person who will explore broad horizons and use these opportunities to grow.

As an individual, I have a commitment and dedication to my work. I always give my best effort and meet all deadlines. Furthermore, I am an effective communicator and work well with others. As a team player, I value the opinions of others and work to create environments where everyone feels comfortable, valued, and heard. I am open-minded and gladly accept constructive criticism. At the same time, I understand the importance of leadership and can be firm when needed.

Throughout my educational history and experience in DECA, a career-technical business organization, I have gained crucial professional skills that will make me a valuable asset to a company. I possess technical skills such as proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and Canva. Furthermore, I have extensive experience in creating business plans. This portfolio includes a business plan sample that I competed and placed with at DECA career development conferences. This work sample demonstrates my skills in researching market needs, applying project management tools, and calculating financial projections.

Based on my chosen career path, I realize that jobs are extremely competitive. However, I am confident that through my determination and organization, I can successfully pursue an occupation that I am passionate about. A good education is vital in the business world, and I can be assured of getting one at the University of California schools. However, the most important skill is the ability to connect with others. With an outgoing attitude, I hope to develop positive relationships with friends and coworkers.

As my portfolio will demonstrate, I am a dedicated individual with a passion for business. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and hope that you consider me an asset to the company. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Isabel Dong