By this point I've dropped out of college twice. A 21 year old black woman in Oakland Ca with a job and a dream, what else do I need? Getting caught up in the world post high school can be a whole lot easier than expected. Once you've got a job and established yourself in a field which you can see yourself in as a career things become routine. You become set in your ways and habits that you developed while not in school. You become used to only co hosting a radio show on a small, local, unknown radio station once a week. You become used to waking up and getting ready for an hour and a half commute to your job as a retail sales associate. Most of all you get used to living at home and still being semi dependent on your family. At some point you may step back and think “Hey! I've got it made!” I pay just enough bills so that no one can tell me what to do. I'm doing what I want to do as a career at a very young age. I have a job and I can party when ever I want to, and mom still makes me a plate every night. One day after counting the previously mentioned blessings I wondered what else could I be missing. It was at that point after scrolling through social media and seeing the news of all the academic achievements reached by my friends I realized that there were still blessings I have yet to receive.
After high school I tried community college at Laney College in Oakland Ca. Laney College: the home of financial aid fraud, “ratchets”, and dead dreams! it felt as if I hadn’t left high school. Not only were there familiar faces there were also a complete lack of appreciation for education. The common idea is that community college is for those who are less than driven and less than financially equipped to go off to a “real school.” Towards the end of my first semester I felt myself beginning to believe this was true. I remember thinking I was sold lies of community college being a place where one can easily transition into life as an adult post high school. After my second semester I didn't return. Figuring that I had all I needed I continued working my 3 jobs, co hosting my radio show, and interning with a local economics program. I was working harder than the stereotypical Mexican and Jamaican combined. Life was great yet still all round me were constant reminders of how much I actually loved school.
One day while completing my opening procedures at Jamba Juice I remember thinking of my favorite baseball team and our rivals, The Dodgers. I looked to my coworker and blurted out “ I'm going to write an essay on the origin of the Dodgers Giants rivalry.” The expression on her face was priceless “For what?” she responded confused as can be. I'm beyond a nerd, I'm a scholar. I had been out of school for a few months at that point and it was mid semester. I had tried to go back since the first time I left but my priority had became money rather than a degree. I knew if I were to go back I had to give it my all. I did exactly that. Over the summer of 2014 I re enrolled and began classes that fall.
A whole year later not much has changed except getting accepted into Texas Southern University. When I submitted my application I remember the doubt and low expectations I had. I sat at the small table in Gaylord's Coffee on Piedmont about to cry at the idea of yet another rejection letter. Flashing back to the letters I got after applying when I first graduated high school I was two seconds away from not even applying. I waited months, fought with admissions and records at Laney about lost transcripts, and all but gave up. I watched the mailbox like the coastguard watches for threats, but with higher anticipation and anxiety. June 27th, 2015 I woke up expecting nothing more than to volunteer at San Francisco’s Pride celebration, but someone had other plans. After I had spent about an hour alone on my make up I went in the kitchen and saw an envelop with my name from 3100 Cleburne St Houston Tx 77004. In my head I said,“This is too thin to be an acceptance.” I thought,“What if I actually got in?” My mind raced to,“They're probably gonna tell me Laney forgot something again.” I little voice spoke to me and I thought again, “Maybe I should pray.” I ripped, read, and then all I could feel was hot tears and make up falling off my face. I had finally made it. Balancing jobs, yes jobs with an “s”, school, and everything else that comes with my life has been a true test of my strength, faith, and will. I made it this far what could possibly stop me?
Most Memorable Moment:
Being at a community college you don't have very many memorable moments. Starting at TSU means I have a whole new opportunity to make memories and truly experience life as a college student.
High School: Oakland School for the Arts in Oakland , CA
class of 2012
Experience
I currently work with T Mobile
as Retail Sales Associate
I have 3 years of experience working in the
Sales industry.
