Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

Twenty-eight years ago, I entered the workforce right out of high school. I had acquired many clerical skills and found it easy to find good employment. As my life goal was to be a full-time wife and mother, I didn't see any need to pursue a college education at that time.

I married soon after, but my life took an unexpected turn. I ended up working full-time the next nine years to put my husband through school.

After my husband completed his schooling, we began our family; but the world was different now. Most families needed two incomes. Being a stay-at-home mom seemed to be a lofty, unrealistic dream. It broke my heart to think that I would have to return to the workforce after the birth of my son. I thought about going back to school; but my husband's student loan debt was already more than we could bear. We decided to cut back as much as possible and took it one day at a time with hopes that I could stay home with the kids at least until they went to school. God blessed! I was able to stay at home and be a full-time mom to our two children until our youngest starts Kindergarten.

When the kids started school, it was time for me to get back to "work". I looked at going back to school, but the investment of time and money was too much for my young family. Once again, I entered the workforce. For the past eleven years I have operated my own home-based business. This has been a perfect opportunity for me to bring in some much needed income while still being there for my family.

I have two wonderful kids. My son, Michael Travis, just graduated with an ASB from NIACC and High School diploma from Forest City this month. My daughter, Tiffany, will be a Junior in High School this fall.

Now that my children are almost grown, once again I look at going back to school. The changes in our world are having a very negative effect on my home-based business. I need to find something else. If I must spend my life in the workforce, I'd sure love to be doing something that I enjoy -- something that would make a difference in our world. Perhaps this is the time to pursue my college education; but as I look at putting my children through college, it seems like my college education will need to be put on the "back burner" once again. . .unless an extreme makeover comes my way.

Thank you for considering me.

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Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

An extreme makeover is exactly what the doctor ordered in my life at this point. I am Laura, a graduate from LaJames College, and currently work in the hair industry for sixteen years now. I manage at Great Clips in Mason City, and have been an employee for twelve years. I have accomplished many achievements. For instance, I won achievement awards for best stylist, highest sales and productivity, perfect attendance, and best customer service.

I have a new goal I'd like to meet. I am interested in business/computer skills. I have been debating whether or not I should go back to school for a while now. Thinking about the future, and I can't picture myself standing behind the chair cutting hair in say ten years from now. It's been years since I've been to school, and where do you start? My parents did not go to college, nor did they promote that it was important. I have three children, and the oldest just graduated high school. She is now going to college for an Associate degree in Administrative Business and then on for her Bachelors.

It's difficult to overcome the fear of taking the first step towards changing careers, but what I really should fear is a lack of education. I aspire to attend NIACC for an Associate Degree in Business/Computer in the intention of working for a corporate office such as Principal Financial, for instance. This extreme makeover will be an excellent opportunity to start in a new direction.

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Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

I was born and raised in Osage, where I attended school through 11th grade, at which time I dropped out and went into the USN. Our first son Anthony was born in 1981, I was honorably discharged from the service in 1984, and married my wife Deanna in 1984. Our second son Wade was born in 1985, our daughter Amber was born in 1986, and our daughter Ashley was born in 1988.

All the kids are now High School graduates (a fact that I am very proud of) and both girls went on to NIACC. Amber graduated in 2006 and Ashley is currently enrolled. My wife and I never took much (me time). Our children have always come first, and I took a job at Wallace 3rd shift P&H. I have been there ever since. I’ve been slowly working my way up the ladder, trying to better my financial position and myself…from a P&H, machine operator, Maintenance Electrician, Shift Forman, until Maintenance Supervisor, which is my current position that I've held for 8 years.

Unfortunately, the winds of Corporate America change with time and I've advanced as far as I can without a degree. Wallace, (now RRDonnely) no longer provides any kind of tuition assistance. Although, I will follow through with the schooling, this would ease the financial burden considerably. I've been granted many blessings in my life; my wife, children, a grandson and two more on the way. I feel a little ashamed and selfish to be asking for more. Nevertheless, at the insistence of my daughters I am asking for this extreme college makeover.

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I have devoted my entire life to my family, raising our boys while my husband traveled with his job. I often thought that my brain was "too old" to learn again. Recently, I have gotten my CNA and Med Manager Certificates. My husband is SO proud of me and keeps telling me that I am NOT too old and I can do whatever I set my mind to. Our boys are now 21, 19, and 16. It is time for me to decide what I want to be when I "grow up".

I would LOVE the opportunity to do greater things with my life and have an actual career, not just a job. I am a hard worker, honest, dependable, and willing to give it my all, to have a chance to go back to school. I graduated High School shortly after turning 17 and entered a 2 year RN program. Going to school, and working full time, I was just too young to do it. I really blew that chance, and want another chance to be the best that I can be. Thank you so much for doing this and giving someone a chance to better themselves, and to whoever wins, I am sure that it will make a GREAT difference in their life.

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Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

I deserve an educational makeover from NIACC because I would like a second chance at a decision that I made 28 years ago. In High School I was an honor student, graduated 5th in my class and scored 28 on my ACT. Everyone assumed I was going to college. I didn't give it as much thought as I should have and I just went through the motions and enrolled in college.

After the first semester, I was offered a job. I was engaged and I was young and not as smart as I thought I was. I decided it was a much smarter decision for me to start making money than to finish my college education.

Financially, going back to college never seemed an option once I was married. Working full-time and taking care of a family and a home have caused time restraints that I felt prevented me from attaining this dream.

I do not regret very many of the decisions that I have made in my life, but I do regret not completing my education. I have raised my children and now I am ready for my second chance.

It isn't often in life that we get a second chance at a choice that we feel we made incorrectly. For many people it never happens. Sometimes it takes a long time to realize our dreams. I am excited about the prospect and I hope that NIACC will help make this dream a reality for me.

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