As an adolescence, we usually dream about the direction we would like our life to go, within our career paths, what was your dream during this time?

• “So, of course it changed alot. I can remember wanting to be a nurse. Which is really interesting because neither math or science was my friend. I also was a part of a dance company and was interested in being a dancer, but I never shared it with anybody because it kinda wasn’t something that you do. My parents were from the South and they raised me with the notion that upon graduating high school you get a good government job and that is your life.”

Can you talk to me about your emotions/struggles in this area?

• “It’s like what the heck. Sometimes it can be a bit worrisome. But overall the feeling is, what the heck? How do I fix this? You have to constantly keep searching to keep yourself from letting you think you are crazy.”

Why did you decide to go to college?

• “Because I got a full scholarship. I kinda actually hate to say that out loud because to blow a full scholarship is craziness.”

When you discontinued school, what were your feelings and thoughts?

• “Embarrassed. I felt a little bit like a failure, I think most of it was because I actually could do the work. Had I been really putting my nose to the grindstone and really doing my stuff. I probably would have felt like, well I really did my best, but in my heart of hearts I knew that I did not do my best. So, I felt like a failure and I felt like I wasted an opportunity. “

During your post-college phase of life, are there any lessons you learned and would like to share?

• “I think its a safe place and I think it’s really good for most people. It can’t be for everyone. I think that you need to really evaluate whether or not you want to go. Take a hard look at the reasons on either side. I think that parents need to relax cause your child may not make it out in 4 years because again they are growing and learning who they are. It could take more than 4 years, obviously you don’t want it to take 10 but it can certainly take 5 before they can even get a sense of what in the world.”
• “Life lesson: go to college. Enjoy that journey, it’s just part of the journey. But enjoy it and balance it.”