What career path do you want to take? For many students, that question becomes the starting point of the college application process.
Your future goals can shape the stories you choose to tell, the experiences you showcase and even the passion projects you decide to center your essays around. One of the easiest ways to brainstorm a strong essay topic is by looking at the projects, hobbies or, for me, everyday products that naturally connect back to your intended field of study.
Most applicants believe that their essay has to revolve around a dramatic, life-changing event. In reality, a strong essay topic can come from how much you love lip balm.
A good way to begin brainstorming is by asking yourself questions like this:
- What hobbies do I genuinely care about?
- What topic can I talk about for hours on end, without getting bored?
- What do I value most?
- How have I shown interest in my respective career path?
For this step, quantity matters more than quality. While brainstorming, I came up with over 15 options for a single prompt. However, the one I eventually settled on was one of my favorite everyday products: Burt’s Bees lip balm.
But what mattered most wasn’t the product itself but the brand image behind it. Burt’s Bees is recognized for its sustainable environmental practices, so what started as a simple product I carried in my pocket became a reflection of my future career path. Then suddenly, my essay was not about skincare products; it was about the small ways our choices can reflect larger belief systems.
So, before you stress about finding the perfect essay topic, take a walk around your room. You might already have a hidden gem, and it may already be sitting on your desk.
