An email I wrote to my first boss at my current University job.  She no longer works for the University, but she was pivotal in helping me get started in college. First and foremost she hired me, then she encouraged me, and then she also mentored me and then right when I was feeling safe and content she left me.  But I was ok because she made me safe and content before she departed.  She hired me in August of 2004, I started college in January of 2005.  I still have five week’s to go, but I just started my last class, an Environment class, today.

Renee,

This morning I logged into my last class and posted my Bio for the last time.  I printed out my Syllabus for the last time as an undergrad student.  In January of 2005 I thought that this day would never come.  When you’re looking at 40 unfinished credits they certainly seem daunting, but I have learned that like the hare, slow and steady win’s the race.  I can’t believe how much I have changed as a person.  Yes, I’ve gained tons of new information and knowledge, but more so than that, I have a newfound level of confidence and an even bigger sense of self worth.  I now know that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, so long as I make the sacrifices and am willing to hang in there for the long haul.

I imagine that many people before me have felt this, but it’s almost impossible for me to find the words to explain it except to say it feels as exhilarating as that moment when you are riding a roller coaster, the moment before the long decent, the anticipation of what is to come next, simply because you managed to stay calm while climbing upwards.  I no longer view other people’s successes with an “it must be nice” attitude.  I now see success around me and realize that it does not come easy, but that it can certainly be gained.

I’ve always had much to offer the workplace, but now I have concrete proof and evidence to back up my work experience.  More importantly, I now know that I can overcome challenges, make the necessary sacrifices and achieve great things.  If I were an athlete this accomplishment might equal crossing the finish line.  Thankfully I am not a racer because this accomplishment means that I have proven I can always fight the good fight, I can always rise the occasion and I can always become a better person. 

I have learned how to find information, reiterate information and utilize information to work smarter not harder.  I used to think if I won the lottery I would buy a new car, perhaps a mansion.  I now know I wouldn’t quit working, I would instead use that money to better the world around me.  That change of heart came with gaining a college degree.  Understanding that the world is bigger than just who I am, but that who I am can make the world a better place.  These lessons weren’t learned in a book, they were gained in the process of being a student.

I set my goals to achieve a college education largely because of my responsibilities towards my son.  He was 12 years old when I began my journey.  He’s now 16 and he could drive himself to my graduation. I think my journey changed his outlook as well.  I didn’t set out to do that, it was a wonderful byproduct of all that I became.  It simply rubbed off with little to no effort.

 
Because of you I learned the importance of mentorship.  You took an interest in who I was and more importantly who I wanted to become, changing the small view I had of myself into a dream that I acted on rather than I dream I merely dismissed.  I strongly believe I could not have gotten here without that support and nudge when it was most needed.  You were the umbrella during times of rain. 

I have no doubt that I will continue on with new dreams and goals and will succeed. Not because of that piece of paper, but because of the degree’s in which my heart has changed because of this accomplishment.   When I was 19 my mother told me I’d never amount to anything, that I would push a broom at McDonalds.  While I have nothing against burger chains, I dreamt of much more.  All anyone needs to succeed in life is a dream, someone that believes in them (and yes you can choose to simply believe in yourself for yourself too!), and action.  Do something to get where you want to go every single day.  That is something I repeated to myself every single day.  And each step I took got me closer to achieving my goals.  And now that I’m here I’m dreaming new dreams, making new goals, success has no ceiling.

 Thanks for everything you did when everything you did mattered the most.  I am estatic and I am proud of myself.  That is a new feeling for me.  Pride in oneself is priceless.

 Kristy

 Ten small steps still equal one giant step, standing still gets you nowhere.