Have you ever felt stagnant while trying to escape a toxic environment or person? Or Have you ever wanted to leave your current life and start over somewhere new? Well, I am happy to share one of my most profound teachable moments regarding why I decided to return to college. I can easily describe this crucial transition from attending school every day from age 4 to taking a leave of absence after my first semester of college while following a hiatus for 7 years as an emotional rollercoaster. I felt like a failure after submitting my leave of absence to the admissions office but I am forever grateful for this moment because it shaped me into the versatile and resilient individual that I am today.
Shall I start our conversation when I turned 18? It’s a significant age, and I’m sure you have some pensive memories to reflect on about the various experiences during this time. I was currently on my way out the door from high school. I attended private school my entire life, however, the high school that I graduated from felt like a public school due to its large enrollment of students. However, this con did not interfere with my studies. Being a student in a learning institution feels like home to me. It’s a familiar environment, as my mother is a special education teacher for the New York Department of Education. Education is power, and her teachings have instilled a strong belief in me about the importance of education. No one in this world can take knowledge away from you unless they’re an alien who can erase your memory.
You feel as if you’re on top of the world after graduation. You become a little anxious to embark on a new chapter of life called College. I received a full scholarship to attend and dorm at college. I felt honored and blessed to receive this offer. My hard work and dedication have finally paid off. Unfortunately, all good things have a catch to it. I traded the broomstick for the devil concerning my roommate’s situation. The situation became too much for me to handle despite my efforts to resolve it. Despite having receipts as evidence, nobody was able to assist me. Therefore, I opted to prioritize my well-being and contentment by submitting my paperwork for a leave of absence.
I felt like a loser because I was not returning in the Spring semester. This created stress and depression became a close friend. Oh, I failed to mention that I was in a toxic relationship during this time as well. Can you relate?… Well, depression felt like a rabbit hole and no one including myself could retrieve me from it. I decided to live with my father for a few months in Florida. This little escape helped me a lot. When I returned to New York City, my mother urged me to pursue my medical assistant license. I obtained my license after a few months. Meanwhile, my best friend Brianna had to return to Syracuse University, which led her to offer me her position as a Public Relations intern for DJ Drewski at Hot97. I gladly accepted the position because I desperately needed a change. Music is one of my first loves besides tennis. This opportunity presented itself at the perfect time.
During my internship with Hot97, I was able to secure a job working on Wall Street as an administrative assistant for claim adjusters at McLarens. This amazing opportunity taught me a lot about how corporate worked. Being the youngest while holding these positions presented a lot of turmoil. The manager did not want me to elevate by obtaining my adjuster’s license. In my opinion, it seems that she was determined to maintain her position and didn’t want anyone to surpass her. However, I took the adjuster’s test and failed by only 3 points. I am proud that I was able to grasp the subject matter within a month of studying. I could no longer work there due to the unrest of high positions not wanting me to elevate.
Following some incredible opportunities and expanding my resume, I decided to relocate to Las Vegas, NV. I realized that my household environment was toxic and I felt trapped in New York City. However, I knew that I had the power to change my situation and explore new opportunities elsewhere. I have experience with moving out-of-state, having lived in different places before such as Scranton, PA (yes, the infamous show “The Office”), and Spring Hill, FL. This gave me the confidence to take the leap and seek out a better environment for myself. After two months of residing in Las Vegas, I received an amazing opportunity to work at a wellness clinic. Although content in my new job, I remained driven to explore additional opportunities. One of my colleagues at the clinic recommended me to Human Resources at Henderson Hospital to be a laboratory assistant. I submitted my resume to HR and in the next few days, I was scheduled for an interview and hired on-site. Fast hiring process? A major red flag!
A crucial turning point in my life was on May 23rd, 2021. I informed my manager at Henderson Hospital that I am having emergency surgery and I will not be able to come in. Due to being understaffed, my manager accused me of being a no-call no-show in which they terminated me. I felt hurt because I needed the job to pay bills but I knew God had a bigger plan for me. After a month of recovery, I received a year contract job opportunity to work with Clark County School District as a COVID tester. I felt fortunate to have received a pay raise that was three times higher than what I was earning at my previous two jobs. Once the contract ended, I chose to visit New York City for a few months to refocus and regain some ambition. I finally realized the medical field was no longer for me. Based on my story, can you guess what I was put on this earth to be? Yes, an entrepreneur thriving in all business ventures.
Upon realizing my true calling, I eagerly applied to Baruch College. I felt certain that this was the path meant for me, and all of my previous experiences had led me to this moment. Through my various encounters with people and challenging situations, I have learned valuable lessons. The key takeaway is to always persevere, never give up, and be kind to yourself as you progress. Comparison is a thief of joy. Continue on your path and you will always succeed!