GRADUATION!

Arriving at work, as I have done for years in the, felt different and downright uncomfortable than ever before.  The mood was somewhat unsure and would unfortunately never be the same. On that day, my boss of three wonderful years, Brad, informed me that he accepted a new position within the organization and would be leaving the department and me within the next month.

The news came as a complete shock to me and touched me deep to the core.  At the ripe old age of 42, my future was uncertain for the first time in years.

As a young woman fresh out of high school, I was blessed with my daughter, Courtney.  Being a young single mother left me with few options.  My choices were to return to school to earn a much-needed degree or join the workforce to support my newly formed family.  My decision was to enter the workforce.

Over the course of the twenty-two years that followed, I worked a number of great clerical jobs with employers throughout the area.  The hands on experience I received was something I could not have received in any school but could not help but think, “Is this what I am going to be doing the rest of my life?  Will I just jump from job to job and never make real career progress?”  I was hopeful my future would be filled with advancement when I accepted a job with my previous employer.

As Brad and I packed his office on his last day of work, I expressed my concerns to him.  “Where do I go from here?  What will I do without you?”  I spoke jokingly.

“I have come to know you over the past several years, “Brad said.  “I feel that you have missed your calling.  You have a creative soul and should seriously consider a career in marketing or something of that nature.  Go back to school.  Get working on a degree and do what you love,” Brad said with a smile.

Brad had since left the comfort of our office and was pursing his career goals.  The friendship and trust that was developed over the three years we worked together would have more of an impact on my life than I could ever have imagined.

In 2011, I took Brad’s advice and enrolled in the Graphics Communications and Business Management associates degree programs with Moraine Park Technical College.

Although it has taken me longer than most to decide what I wanted to be when I grow up, the excitement is still the same.  The future is mine for the taking.  I just needed to reach out and grab it.

With all of that said, on a sunny day in June 2016 I graduated (with honors) receiving an Associate Degree in Business Management from Moraine Park Technical College.