lucialiang-blog

[lucialiang-blog]

[lucialiang-blog]

Waiting for success…

Stepping into an all-girls university preparatory school meant you are bombarded with expectation. Everyone was expected to be leaders and there is only one way of defining success and that is getting into a prestigious university. The pressure wasn’t necessarily executed from the school individually but more of a combination from academia, parents, and peers.

The everyday conversation going around me were along the lines of “what did you get on your math test”, “how did that tryout went”, or “are you going to the upcoming debate competition”? An 86 at my school was considered a low mark and that gave me immense academic pressure. My parents paid around 25,000$ for my tuition every year at that school and that gave my family financial pressure. My peers were ranked athletes, debaters representing Canada, people with perfect SAT and ACT scores and kids of parents who own airlines. That gave me peer pressure. The list of pressures can go on and I constantly felt like I was not good enough.

To accommodate these pressure I did everything that I could have possibly done to added value to my university application so I would fit in. I was an athlete. I played basketball for all 5 years of high school and was on the rowing team for 4 years. That meant I dedicated at least 20 hours of my life to sports every week for 5 years. I was in the accelerated program for all of my courses, meaning I was enrolled in the hardest classes with the most workload for 5 years. I took 6 AP course and had a 33 on my ACT, which meant on top of the normal school hours I had a tutor to attend outside of class. Lastly, to build on my professional experience, I was a business developer for Vancouver fashion week and I was handing the data of around 500 people.

I did all of these extra circulars simply because I did not know any other way to be successful. My grade 12 year was the worse year of my life and I felt nothing but pain throughout the whole year. That was the year was when all of your hard work was going to pay off and the acceptant letter of your dream school was going to be found in your mailbox. However, that year I was diagnosed with depression and my marks dropped immensely and ended up getting rejected to my dream schools and amazing programs of my backup schools.  During grade 12  I felt like I was tied to the back of a delivery truck, rushing to its next destination. There was no way to stop or get out of the misery. Every day I went to bed wishing to never wake up.

[lucialiang-blog]

[lucialiang-blog]

Creating success….

All of the hardship I have encountered did not go to waste instead it made me stronger and gave me the skills to be successful. My sports taught me endurance and patients. During my athlete days, I have to be strong to endure the physical pain and as well as patients to see the result. The academic pressure made me articulate and the skills to evaluate things critically. My high achieving peers opened up my views of the world and that helped me identify what my dreams were and what I want.

Coming to university I was determined to not party or drink. I knew clear in my head what my potential was and I didn’t want to waste my time. I immediately joined the Arts Undergraduate Society and got involved in student politics. My position first started off as a social director under the VP Student life portfolio, then a spot opened up for the position for VP Finance. I immediately jumped onto that opportunity and ran in the election. Through the skills I have achieved back in high school I got elected and I became the VP Finance of the arts undergraduate society as a first year.

Through the AUS as their VP Finance I worked closely with the AMS. After working with them I knew I wanted to get involved with their work someday throughout my time in university. The opportunity in the AMS was endless and I will be able to learn so much from them. As a result, prior to the AMS election, I did a lot of research regarding what the job of VP Finance entails so I can better work under the portfolio. During this researching process,s something unexpected happened. Many people who were working in the AMS actually encouraged me to run in the election. I soon saw the opportunity and jumped on the boat.

After deciding to run for the election I spent months of planning. I figured out the numbers I needed to get to win and planed strategically regarding who I needed on my election team to win. I also did extensive research regarding the different components of the AMS. I would go to different AMS restaurants to try out their food so I know what to improve on and what is currently successful. I also booked appointments with directors of AMS services to get some feedback regarding what is doing well and what is not. With a combination of all these factors, I was prepared to win.

The success of my election proved that opportunity are prepared for people who are ready to take them. Back in high school, l I got rejected by those schools was because I was not prepared enough. Instead of looking at what others did to accomplish their success I was looking at their result. I stopped being in myself and that resulted in me to be depressed. However,r once I got to university I had all the tools I had to be successful. The skills I honed in high school was carried through and I was able to get over depression and win the election.

[lucialiang-blog]

[lucialiang-blog]

Achieving success…

I realized unless you are truly ready the door leading to success and opportunities will never open. I was not ready for the pressure and environment my dream school entitled so I got rejected from those schools, however, I was ready to take on the position of VP Finance through my hard work. To achieve my dream and vision of woking for LVMH I am ready to do everything that I can be prepared to work for them.

Step one, becoming a blogger. I have always loved photography, however, I have never gotten the chance to embrace that side of me. Being a blogger will also bring me the exposure needed to stand out from the thousands of application. Being a blogger in the modern era is similar to a company. Instead of selling a product they are selling themselves. If one is able to create a successful blog indicates they are aware of what the current market and consumer wants, how to market a product successfully, and the communication skills to work with collaborators.

Step two, apply for an internship for London fashion week. Due to my past working experience in the fashion industry, I met some mentors that can help me land a job in fashion week. As a result, I want to go to work there for a season to gain some experience and connections with people in the industry in London. Furthermore, I am planning to go on global exchange in the future, as a result, I will be able to have a part-time job while studying abroad.  

Step three, go to graduate school at Columbia for luxury retailing. Attending school at Columbia will provide me with the credentials need to become successful in the fashion industry. Columbia business school is also located at the heart of New York. As a result, being surrounded by the main us fashion brand headquarters and the financial district will provide me with the professional knowledge needed to work for LVMH.

I believe if I accomplish those three steps the door to my dream will open.