College is for everyone by nicole

College is for everyone by nicole - April 2020 Scholarship Essay

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell you about my excitement to go back to school. My name is Nicole in 2003 I graduated from college with my AAS degree in sales management and marketing from St. Cloud Technical College. At this time I was 8 months pregnant and 21. After college and the birth of my son I started working at America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses after a few months moved into the role of assistant manager. I found my life passion in the eye field and couldn’t wait to learn more. I was a single mother with an energetic young boy. I wasn’t able to continue my education at this time as I had to provide for my son. Over my 18 years in the business, I obtained many different certificates in the Ophthalmology field. As I started to study for the next level of certification I took a step back and wanted to evaluate what I wanted for the next chapter of my life. As I was looking at career opportunities that were being posted, all of the jobs that allowed me to make more money and excel in my career required a bachelor's degree. So at 37 I find myself back in school to give myself more opportunities.

My son is now 16, I have been married for 4 years and have worked with Allina Health Care for 10 years. As my son has grown up I put everything I had into his sports, school, and play dates. He was always very active in basketball, football, baseball and lacrosse and my whole life became work going to a sporting event, dinner and bed. For 16 years my life was about my son and only him, I can’t help but be emotional over the wonderful boy I raised and how all the sacrifice was worth it. And how I only have 3 more years of with him before he ventures off to college himself. Now that he has his driver’s license and in high school sports instead of travel sports I find myself with a lot more time on my hands. As I am helping him get into a mindset of college I started wanting to go back to school myself. I have never done anything for myself in 16 years and now is the perfect time to go back to school for my bachelors in Healthcare management before my son himself starts college. It also puts me on the same level as him now that we both get to do homework. And he can see the strength in me to chase my dreams no matter the cost.

There are many financial opportunities out there for the young and old to fulfill their college dreams. Looking and applying for scholarships is a lot of work but is worth the reward to provide the opportunity to fulfill my dreams. I want to thank you for being a part of this next chapter of my life, with every year I grow as a parent, person, and wife always working on being the best person I can. I really love the field of Ophthalmology, the human eye itself is so amazing to me and love learning daily. My next ambition is to move into management in Ophthalmology and I can only do that effectively by going back to school.