As a nontraditional college student, my journey was nonlinear, and filled with extraordinary challenges. To combat those challenges I required additional support to graduate, my first step was applying for a childcare scholarship at 10,000 Degrees. I utilized almost everything offered by 10,000 Degrees especially LinkedIn Premium, resume support, mentorship programs, general scholarships, and workshops on financial aid. Once I had that going on I could begin my journey to find every other resource available so I could be the first person in my family to finish my degree.
I encountered several barriers including battling structural racism, ableism, domestic violence survivor, addiction, mental health struggles, struggling to maintain housing, financial insecurities, food insecurities, discrimination, lack of visibility as an Indigenous person, other health challenges, and of course the additional struggles of parenting, a global pandemic, etc. Throughout every battle I was fighting there were people at 10,000 Degrees rooting for me, some of which have retired from 10,000 Degrees but I remain in contact with. That’s how impactful and deep the relationships became. Because of how amazing the support was from 10,000 Degrees I had enough hope to try for other opportunities that changed the quality of my life for the better and without which I would not have graduated.