Shana DeBusk
Currently, being the mother of a two and a half year old little girl has clearly inspired me in all aspects of my life. When you become a mother, you look at life through your childs eyes and the world becomes a much bigger place than before having her in my life. Her inspiration makes me strive to be a better person. Sometimes I fall short of that goal, some days I exceed expectations, but it drives me to work harder to be the mother that I want her to look up to. With that said, education plays an important role. I want my child to see that there are many open opportunities to her and what a better way to do this than by leading as her example.
My life was quickly started, as domestic issues forced me to be on my own at the age of seventeen. I quickly learned that the worlds door was not open with bountiful opportunities for a seventeen year old girl and that if I were to get anywhere in life, I was going to have to work hard for it. Initially, I attempted to go to a community college after completion of my high school diploma, but having to make ends meet was a higher priority at the time. Needless to say, my dreams of going back to further my education and accomplish that of getting a degree were put on indefinite hold.
My career initially started with assignments through temporary placement agencies and then I advanced to becoming an employee at various corporations in sales and marketing positions. Everything from in-house wholesale and retail underwriting to loan origination positions and outside commercial sales; from small companies to large corporations and at one point I was even in business for myself. Forty hours a week was not the norm for me, as I wanted to advance in any position given, so I worked overtime, made myself on call as needed and often took work home with me.
During my career in marketing and sales, I did very well and often would win awards for huge sales, largest accounts and was often the top female sales and marketing associate of the company where I worked. With that said, many encouraged me to expand my horizons through education, but I never seemed to find the time. This held me back for much higher paying positions that I just knew I would be great at, if only given the chance, because I did not have an associates or bachelors degree. Many companies required that you have the degree or they would not even consider you for an interview, even if you had related work field experience. I just never could get my foot in the door to showcase my attributes and what I was capable of without a degree and so many colleagues of mine would often go, apply and move on, because they had the experience and the degree, making an improved career move and a more lucrative income for their families. Meanwhile, I would see that my opportunities were maxed at certain levels unless I could find time and money to go back and make my educational dreams a reality.
My hobbies include acting when opportunities have risen, as well as a deep love for writing. It would be nice to incorporate my love for the arts with my marketing background. Joining a career I have enjoyed with my passions.
Now, as a stay at home mother, I spend quality time teaching my child academics appropriately geared toward her age group, showering her with attention, love and the joys of childhood. As she gets older, my goal is to press forward the importance of education and to help her in that path as much as possible. I intend to go back into the job market once I have sowed these seeds of inspiration, love and knowledge in her, as she starts school and begins her educational journey. Meanwhile, it would be nice to be able to afford a better education for myself, so that when she does enter the world of school, that I will be a better candidate and have more opportunities in the existing job market. By doing so, I believe, that I will instill in my daughter the importance of continuing education and that no matter how old you are, where you have been or what you are currently doing now, you can achieve your goals and overcome any obstacles set ahead of you one day at a time.