My College Story

After I graduated high school, I

didn’t really know what I wanted to do for a career. I

had a lot of hobbies and

interests, but no idea what to do

with them.

I started my post-high school education at NAU (Northern Arizona

University). This was not a good match for me. I missed my friends and family.

I left after one semester.

I decided to go to Scottsdale Community College, and held a job at Sally Beauty Supply while I attended.

I really enjoyed photography so I took a lot of photography

courses and general education classes. I ended up receiving my Associate of Arts degree.

I hoped that somehow I might build a career from that degree but had no

idea how to do it. With no idea of what to do, I continued working mostly

retail jobs.

I moved away from Arizona to Idaho, with a guy I had been

dating for several years. I was good at the job(s) I had and

usually got promoted, but I didn’t really establish a career at that

time. Then, in 2011, I got married.

This person was not the one for me.

And not long after we got divorced.

This was a difficult time for me. I spent a lot of time with my best friend and her family. They

became like family to me. I helped her out a lot because

she was a single mom to

her young daughter.

After the divorce I moved back to Arizona to be near my family and friends. With the help of my father, I found a pretty good job

too. I started working in an office as an office manager. Things were looking up.

But I still hadn’t really figured out what I wanted to do with my life. And what I could do for a career. I started thinking a lot about going back to college and

getting a Bachelor degree.

During this period of thinking about what I could go to school for, I realized how much I enjoyed

spending time with my best friend’s young daughter. I started to think that I would probably really enjoy a career working with young children like her. I even had a dream about myself being a

teacher to young children.

Then I started searching online for schools with teaching degrees. This is how I came upon Ottawa

University. It was a perfect match for me. I could take all of my

classes either online or at night at 6 p.m. It wouldn’t interfere with

my job (too much).

Now, for the last year and a half, I’ve been attending Ottawa for the Early Childhood

Education program. At the end of this course, I will be finished with all of my courses. I will start student teaching in

January.

Things are looking up for me! This is my boyfriend and I. He has been my rock through this last year of courses. He has stayed up many nights with me talking me out of my stress. He has always been rooting for me and been there

to help out!

I can’t wait to start student teaching!

And look forward to graduating towards the end of April!