Afra Bash wants to change the face of tech. The 18-year-old from Houston is prepping to attend the University of Houston. She’s prepping to use her funding from the 1,000 Dreams Fund Fall 2017 Scholarship to help her pursue a career in technology and to help break boundaries for young women everywhere.

What is your professional dream?

My professional dream is to become an Information Technology Manager. I also want to open doors of opportunities for women around the world by opening a school in a third world country so girls can be provided with the best quality education and to help break boundaries of gender inequality.

How will you use the 1,000 Dreams Scholarship?

The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship will be used to fund my tuition, helping me focus more on education and less on financial need.

How is this helping you get closer to your dream?

The funding will help with decreasing my debt and increasing my focus in pursuing my dream of becoming a computer scientist, which is a greatly male-dominated career.

​What advice do you have for other young women looking to go for their dreams?

Keep going. Don’t let this idea of “girls look better at home” get to you. Break boundaries. If you are a first-generation student, congratulations you just became a leader for many dreamers after you! Every step you take, you are inspiring someone.

​Any setbacks? How did you get around them?

Being pessimistic when applying to scholarships or when trying something new. One way I changed my point of view was by looking at the brighter side and being around those friends that inspire me and bring me hope when I’m down

What’s next for you? What is your next goal?

My next goal is to receive a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science within four years.