“The first barrier to pursuing a college degree was the application process. I was in high school and didn’t know how to apply or even who to ask for help. Luckily, 10,000 Degrees stepped in. Balancing school and work was another challenge, but applying for FAFSA and scholarships lightened the load.
10,000 Degrees has helped during my college journey by just being there whenever I felt stuck in any way—I knew I could reach out if I needed help at any time.
The impact of attending college on my family and friends has been huge. Since I am the first in my family to graduate college, I am showing my younger siblings and cousins that they too can achieve success if they work for it. My friends are super proud of me, and many of them are now thinking about attending college because I told them about my positive experiences.
I want to change the world for the better by giving back to the community I was raised in by becoming a juvenile probation officer. Many of our youth need guidance or a person who they can trust, and I want to be the one to help them.
I am ONE Degree of Change because my past doesn’t define my future.
Education and being a college graduate opens doors to more opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have access to.”