This document summarizes the author's college journey. After high school, the author attended two different colleges, earning an Associate's degree from Scottsdale Community College. Unsure of their career path, the author worked retail jobs and got married, though divorced soon after. The author then moved back to Arizona, found office work, and realized they enjoyed working with children. The author enrolled in Ottawa University's Early Childhood Education program, taking online and evening classes. They are now preparing for student teaching and graduation.

1. My College Story

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. This person was not the one
for me.
And not long after we got
divorced.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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).

14. 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.

15. 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!

16. I can’t wait to start student teaching!
And look forward to graduating towards
the end of April!