The ISM program has given me the extraordinary opportunity to explore my interest while preparing for my future. And as a part of that preparation, I was able to explore how to launch and manage a startup last year. Although I was following a similar path this year, a critical analysis of areas I needed to grow in led me to reevaluate what my Final Product should be. I pivoted from launching another entrepreneurial venture with a financial technology spin on it to authoring a research paper about impact investing that I intend to publish. This new project will allow me to build on a traditional skillset on synthesizing information and present it in a professionally organized format – a skill vital for college and my career.

Since this decision, I have shared the outline of the paper with Mr. Meek for review and have begun penning the abstract of the paper as well. For the upcoming weeks, I look forward to completing parts of the paper and sending them to Mr. Meek for his review. Moreover, I hope to contact impact investors, economists, and entrepreneurs to create a national advisory board for a final review of the paper before publishing. Lastly, I also hope to initiate discussions with publishing houses or professional research publishers to make my paper available to the public upon completion.