Why Donors Give: How scholarships shaped Mac grad Carmen Bracho’s journey

“When Carmen Bracho arrived at McMaster, she had a clear goal: “I wanted to try as many new things as possible,” she said. From competing with McMaster’s fencing and Baja Racing teams, to presenting in international case competitions and studying abroad in Australia, Bracho made the most of all the opportunities McMaster had to offer. Along the way, Bracho received fifteen scholarships, which significantly eased financial pressure for her and her family. “It made my experience a whole lot less stressful,” she said. Today, she gives back to help the next generation access the same opportunities. What was most meaningful to you about your time at McMaster? Mac provided lots of opportunities to excel not just academically, but also through extracurriculars. Getting exposure to clubs, teams and co-op — it really prepared me to face the world once I graduated. It helped me figure out what I really liked — and what I didn’t. What extracurriculars did you get involved in? I tried a bit of everything. In my first year, they were offering free fencing classes at the university gym. I jumped at that opportunity and ended up competing with the varsity team for a year. I also joined the McMaster dance team and ended up performing with them for the remainder of my university career in many different genres. I got involved with Engineering clubs and teams, like the Women in Engineering Society and the Baja Racing team , where we designed and built a vehicle — kind of like a dune buggy — for competition. I learned a lot through hands-on exposure and made meaningful connections that I have carried beyond my university years. You also studied abroad in Australia — what was that like? It was the best time of my life. I felt incredibly fortunate for this opportunity, which was filled with adventure, travel, culture and friendship. Being surrounded by a high-achieving student body at the University of Sydney pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me grow in so many ways — personally and professionally. A term abroad is something I highly recommend to students who are able to make it work with their academics and finances. You received a number of scholarships during your time at McMaster. What did those awards mean to you? Being recognized for my hard work was so rewarding. All the efforts and sacrifices I put into my studies and being a leader and mentor through my volunteering and extracurricular involvement truly paid off. Coming from an immigrant family, this support made a real difference. The scholarships relieved a lot of financial stress. It gave me the freedom to fully experience university —including opportunities like studying abroad. Where has your McMaster degree taken you? Today, I am a Project Manager working on major construction projects across Canada. I’m currently managing a $50-million project in Niagara. One of the industry competitions I participated in at McMaster actually introduced me to this field, which I decided to pursue as a career after a couple of years working in Management Consulting. What inspired you to start giving back? As someone who was so significantly impacted by the generosity of others, I want to be able to give back to Mac students. I know they are putting their best foot forward and trying to do the best for themselves and for society. I want to be someone who supports that and helps ease their financial burden so they can focus on making an impact in their communities. What inspires you about McMaster students and the future? McMaster students are a high-calibre group of students. They have a real impact on society and I’m excited to see how they continue to lead innovation, push knowledge forward and create a better world for all of us. What would you say to the students your gift supports? Keep working hard, keep putting your best foot forward. Hard work will always pay off, and remember to pay it forward after. If you are interested in support students through scholarships and bursaries, visit giving.mcmaster.ca or connect with the University Advancement team to learn more. Why McMaster donors give Behind every gift is a story — and a belief in the potential of students and the power of research. Read what inspires McMaster donors to give. The post Why Donors Give: How scholarships shaped Mac grad Carmen Bracho’s journey appeared first on McMaster News .

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