Official Project Working Mom Blog : Everest University Online

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Mary Koehn

Victoria — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:07:00 GMT

Mary Koehn

Associate of Science in Accounting
Everest University Online

While I was completing high school, college was an optional life choice. It wasn't necessary to have a college degree in order to have a career—finding a good job where you could receive on-the-job training at and learn your trade was the normal route. College was for people that didn't need to work yet and could take their time in joining the work force. Businesses were looking for someone they could mold to their needs, someone that could accommodate their specific requirements, learning and growing with the company. Loyalty and longevity on the job was rewarded and encouraged. Unfortunately, today's job market is a totally different story with more and more older workers being let go prior to retirement or even having to go back to work due to their retirement fund having shrunk drastically in the current economy. With hundreds of job seekers for each advertised position, an applicant must offer more to the potential employer.

I've worked at one job or another (and occasionally even two at a time) since I was sixteen. The majority of those positions have revolved around accounting, with a wide variety of job industries, ranging from safety equipment suppliers to Internet marketers. My last job succeeded so well that the owner was able to retire at 39!

I've got an excellent work history, having stayed at several jobs for over 5 years at a stretch, ample skill history, working the same basic job throughout my career, am intelligent and independent enough to work out the unknown, obtaining any skills I may be lacking. I've performed accounting procedures manually as well as using modern skill sets on the computer. Yet, what is it that job advertisement after job advertisement wants? A degree. Many of the advertised positions don't even require a degree that is relevant to the job; any degree will do. Why? Does having stayed in school for a minimum of 2-4 years, regardless of your resulting degree, really carry more credence than life experience? Apparently, the answer is a loud and resounding YES with today's employers.

So what's a job seeker to do? Take a position that doesn't pay what is needed to live a fruitful life, let alone cover the basic necessities, but that you are "qualified" for? Bend the truth on your application, committing fraud and denying your own personal values? Or suck it up, conform to what is being required and go back to school to earn a degree?

Personally, the first two ideas are not real options. Which leaves the third option: School. Not a quick or easy solution but, potentially, a permanent one. One that can lead to a better life for my kids and myself. One that can allow my savings to grow rather than be depleted. One that can provide for my children's future, and both directly and indirectly, my own. One that teaches my children an incredibly important life lesson—that you're never too old to learn and grow and achieve your goals and dreams.

To achieve my end result of a college degree I know will be a rather daunting task. After all, I'm currently assisting my oldest child in HER goal to obtain a degree at Southern Oregon University. I've got two younger children to still provide for, a home to manage and am seeking a full time job to take over after my current seasonal job ends April 15th. Am I capable enough to take on even more, loading my schedule with even more activities then I already have? Is a college degree worth the additional work load, stress and sacrifices that would be required to achieve it? I believe so. I've taken online courses in the past and find them to incredibly convenient as I can often partake in them after the children are in bed or at the very least, after a normal work day, proceeding at my pace within the instructor's parameters.

My last position as a manager for an Internet Marketing business that I worked from my home office allowed me the flexibility to manage my household, be available for my children when they needed me, yet I still got the job done and done well. The position allowed me to become very comfortable with the Internet and computer, as well as learn to manage my time efficiently and effectively, juggling the many aspects of my life. Achieving an online degree would fit into the balance of my life easier and without as much inconvenience to my family more than attempting to achieve the degree the traditional route of traveling to a local college. Once my online degree is completed, I will be able to obtain a position with a reputable organization or company that will allow me to provide the life and future I want to my family and to myself.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Frankie Allen

Victoria — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:06:00 GMT

Frankie Allen

Associate of Science in Paralegal
Everest University Online

My name is Frankie Allen and I am a single 41-year-old mother of four wonderful children ranging in age from 12 to 18. I am currently working full-time as a school Secretary for At-Risk Youth in Hanford, California, where I have been for 3 years.

As a high school graduate, I joined the United States Air Force and proudly served our Country for a little over 5 years. During this time of my life, I knew the Air Force was where I was going to spend the rest of my working career and never planned for my future. Now, almost twenty-four years later, I am wishing that I had invested in myself more.

While in the U.S. Air Force, I married and had four wonderful children that I am now raising about seventy-five percent of the time. As life would have it, I divorced in 2005 and now have shared custody of our children who live with me during the school year and go to their father's every other weekend and every other holiday and half the Summer.

I have always been so involved in my children's activities, (i.e. baseball, basketball, volleyball, golf, NJROTC, choir, band, football) that I have forgotten about me and my future once again. My oldest daughter will be graduating from high school this year and is looking forward to going to college to be a Nurse. I have always pushed my children towards college because I never had the opportunity.

Now it's my turn. I know that if I do not go to college to further my education, I will be here in the same place in two years when my oldest son will graduate from high school. I want more for myself and more for children. I can no longer preach what I am not practicing myself.

I am interested in the Paralegal field because there are so many underprivileged families out there that cannot afford to get an attorney for every legal matter they may come across in their lives. As a Paralegal, I can help those in need of assistance. I have always been a helper of sorts. I truly believe that helping other is my life's calling.

I know that with a degree in the legal field, I will be able to look forward to my financial future and that of my children. I am worth it and I want to instill the same beliefs in my children that they too are worth it.

Thank you for your time and may God Bless all those single parents out there trying to make a better life for themselves and their families.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Toussaunt Thomas

Victoria — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:05:00 GMT

Toussaunt Thomas

Associate of Science in Computer Information Science
Everest University Online

Hello, my name is Toussaunt Thomas and I am 37 years old. I have been married now for 10½ years and my wife and I just had a beautiful baby girl on January 28, 2009. I am a veteran of 8 years of service within the active duty Army and I have received an honorable discharge as of March 2004. My mother and father divorced when I was 9 years old leaving my mother to support me, my brother and my sister. As the oldest in the family, I have been working and making sacrifices all my life, at one point I entered into a culinary arts program at Harold Washington College in Chicago, but I stopped attending so that I could get a job and help my mother with the funds for purchasing the CTA bus tokens for my sister to attend college. Not long after that, I joined the active duty army and I enlisted for only 4 years with the full intent of coming right back to Chicago with the award of receiving a 4 year paid tuition at CSU (Chicago State University). At that time, if you entered the Army and your home of residence was Chicago and you received an honorable discharge from the Army, the university would pay for all 4 years of your tuition.

It was because of this that when I enlisted into the Army in January of 1996, I refused the GI Bill because I would save money in my military pay checks and I knew that once I got back home to Chicago, I would have my college paid for by CSU. Well, my time in the Army did not go as planned and I ended up re-enlisting in 1999 and going to Germany and then back to Fort Hood TX. with numerous deployments in between. In 1996 I was deployed to Kuwait, in 1997 I was deployed back to Kuwait, in 1999 I was deployed to Kosovo for a year and in 2003 I was deployed to Iraq for one year, and each deployment was within a Bradley Linebacker Tank Platoon. Also during this time with the Army, in the summer of 1998 after a year and a half engagement, I proposed to my fiancée and we got married on June 5, 1998. When I got out of the Army in 2004, I did receive an Honorable Discharge and my wife and I got our new home built from ground up here in Copperas Cove TX. where we currently live. Since I have been out of the Army, I did attempt to pursue college and I did attend Central Texas College (CTC) in Killeen, TX. for one semester where I took two courses. But I stopped attending so that I could support my wife’s college education and now she has received her BA in Psychology.

With our new addition to the family (a beautiful baby girl born on January 28, 2009 at 1:26am) Lord knows that I need more education which will open up brighter opportunities which will allow me to not just better support my wife but now to better support my FAMILY.

I truly thank you for taking the time to read this shortened version of my life and I pray and ask that you please choose to provide me with this opportunity to receive a full four year paid scholarship which I sincerely believe will create a life changing effect for my family and I.

Very respectfully,

Toussaunt Thomas

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Joshua Swearingen

Victoria — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:04:00 GMT

Joshua Swearingen

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Everest University Online

My name is Joshua Swearingen and I would like to continue my education, but have found myself without the time and means to pursue it. I have some college credit in management and computer technology at a local technical college. I was not able to finish my degree before finicial demands required I enter the work force full-time. I used what education I had and a willingness to learn and apply myself to get to the position I am in today as a quality manager for AQS (Catapillar's contractual quality department), however, my pay still does not comver the monthly expenses enough for a family and school to coexist.

My son was born December 9, 2009. I would like a chance to get an education and start a new career while he is still young so that I will be able to provide him with a better future.

I have chosen criminal justice becuase I was always interested in the field. I also feel as though my management and computer skills that I utilize in my current occupation will be an asset to me in entering this new course of study. Another reason in choosing this course is that I believe it is one that may well be recession proof. There will always be a need for these legal services. For the last 6 months I have regularly received updates as to which of our facilities are experiencing layoffs. I believe it is only a matter of time until I find myself unemployed and without and official education I may find myself working for half as much with twice the responsiblilites. Money is tight as it is. I don't know how we will survive.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Madivelle Carlos

Victoria — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:03:00 GMT

Madivelle Carlos

Associate of Science in Accounting
Everest University Online

While attending high school the only thing my parents ever mentioned to me was "please graduate" and so I did thinking that this would be enough to get me through life. Well, now that I work for a Fortune 500 company I have found this not be the case. I have been with Dell for almost 10 years and in those 10 years I've worked in the Cash Accounting Department where I was working as an accountant. As the company began to reorganize the business they also began looking at education backgrounds. When looking at my background along with other employees they found that some of us did not have a college education. They eventually pushed myself and other coworkers out of our positions and hired 6 people to do the work that 3 people were doing. When I began to analyze this I just thought this to be so unfair. Why should I be penalized because I didn't have a degree. This incident happened about 5 years ago and I am still with the company in a different position. I love the position that I am working in now. In my current position I work with conducting business controls for the company.

When this incident happened to me I was very upset and at the time I just thought that there wasn't much that I could do about it. I picked myself up and dusted myself off and continued on with my career. Now, I've seen the effects of not having a degree. Now I would like to have a degree so that I can feel more confident in my position that I currently hold and it will also help my with my individual development that I seek to improve. I want to return to school no only for myself but for my children. I have two boys who are aged 8 and 3. They are the light of my life and I want to provide better for them.

I look to the future and I want my boys to have the opportunity that I never did. I would like for both of them to attend college. But, with the salalry that I make now there will be no possible way that I can send them to college. I don't want my children to have to struggle with bills. I want them to live comfortably in their adult lives.

I believe that earning a degree will boost my confidence and immensely help my family. The reason that I have chosen to attend college online is because of the flexibility that it offers and it will not take any time away from me and my boys and I can continue to work full-time. The goal that I have set for myself will be hard but when I reach the top of that mountain I will feel as if I've conquered my biggest challenge in life.

I ask for this scholarship not only for myself but for my children. I want to provide for them what my parents never could for me.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Ashley Martinez

Victoria — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:02:00 GMT

Ashley Martinez

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Everest University Online

My name is Ashley Martinez. I am 25 years old, married and mother of a 5-year-old boy. I have struggled for years to attend college. My studies always got pushed to the side to help provide for my family. My husband and I were 20 and 21 when we had our son and we have struggled in life to provide. I have found myself always doing the best I can to be a great wife and mother but money has always been an issue.

My husband and I have always worked full-time and he also works side jobs on weekends just to be sure that we have everything that we need, maybe not everything that we want, but everything we need. With two different incomes coming in to provide for us, still hasnt been enough. So I had to always drop out of my classes or just end up taking a failing grade due to the fact that I was cutting my hours shorter at work to attend college. Shorting my hours brought in less money and put us behind on a lot.

My husband and best friend of 13 years/father of our son passed away in September of this year and so times especially with the economy have us really struggling. I now struggle from check to check each day,leaving many bills always unpaid and had to expose my son to sleeping in one bed at night so we can keep each other warm because we have no money to provide heat in our home. I also miscarried our second child in July so I have had alot to slow me down.

I want to show my son that with hard work and a good education you can succeed in life. But at this point we are struggling so I cant afford college at this time. It would mean the world to me if I could have a scholarship to attend college and be a prime example for my child.

I thank you for your time and consideration.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Antonio Rios

Victoria — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:01:00 GMT

Antonio Rios

Associate of Science in Accounting
Everest University Online

My name is Antonio E. Rios. I was born on February 26, 1968. I'm currently a father of three children, Joshua A. Vidal (22), Antonio E. Rios III (18), and Jordan Rios (12). I'm currently residing with Antonio E. Rios III, and I'm a single dad. I was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Chicago in August of 1978 with my Mom, sister, and two brothers. As a child, my Mom did everything she could to take care of us and educate us. My father was not a part of my life and I grew up in the streets of Chicago. I attended the Chicago Boys and Girls Club, which acted as a father figure to me. I learned a lot about sports, team work, discipline, and family. My mother sent me to church on Sundays and I got a good base their. I've always been poor and not having anyone to guide me, I've had to figure it out for myself. I attended Darwin Elementary School during my first year in Chicago, which was a bi-lingual Spanish class, and then I was put in a regular English fifth grade. I transfer to Cameron Elementary School and was failed in the 7th grade because of my Iowa Test reading comprehension scores. I was very hurt and even cried. I thought how am I suppose to score at my current grade level when I've only been in Chicago for four years and that's how long I've known English. However, it turned out to be a great motivator and graduated in 1983 and vowed to myself to learn the English language.

I worked as a tutor that summer to afford to buy some clothes for high school and not burdened my Mom. I went on to Carl Schurz High School in 1983 and I ranked number two in a class of 900 plus students for the first two years. My division teacher (home room) referred me for a job for which I was hired because she thought I was really bright and responsible. I took the job because I was always concerned about my mother's finances and didn't want to be a burden to her. I knew she worked hard to try to meet her responsibilities and any help would ease her load. I worked for two and a half years while in high school to be able to buy my own clothes and meet my needs for school in order not to burden my Mom. During my third year of high school, I was started to be influenced by the street and started to slack on my studies.

In 1986, I was 17 years old at the time, I had just got out of work and two 15-year-old friends of mine asked me to give them a ride when I arrived by my neighborhood. I gave them a ride to another neighborhood and they stole two cars. The police saw one of them getting out of the car and stopped him to question one of them. He said I had come to pick him up, which was not true. When the officer saw that the car was stolen and then saw my other friend hiding in another car near by that was also stolen, he asked me to step out of my car and arrested me with them. Since they were minors, the police figured they would make me the ring leader and charged me with two counts of grand theft auto with intent to sell. The judge thought that since one of the kids said I was coming to pick them up that this makes me an accomplice and my attorney asked me to plead guilty in order to get four years probation and $300 restitution, which I did, but to this day I think that was a mistake and my attorney didn't make much of a defense and took the little money my Mom was able to provide for payment. This continues to be a hindrance today in my job hunting. At the beginning of my senior year, I cut the first semester completely. I was hanging out with gangbangers at their house and wasting my time, although I was not drinking of drugging like some of them. I knew I had failed the first semester, but made a smart decision and told the guys that I had come too far to fail now and was going to go back to school and try to at least achieve getting D's for all my classes to get the credit that counted. I advised them to do the same, but they didn't listen to me. I went back and worked very hard. I achieved obtaining D's in all my classes, but my English class. I thought the teacher figured that she was not going to make it easy for me, just because I came back and did all I had to do. So, I gave up my lunch the next semester so that I could take an additional English class to get the credit needed to graduate. I graduated high school, on stage, in 1987 in the top 25% of my class. It was a real proud moment for my Mom. I now realize she was watching her sacrifices pay off. It was also the year my Mom found out I had gotten a young lady pregnant. I was a father at age 19. I didn't have any guidance in continuing on to college although I had good grades in high school and my counselor was no help. He didn't even tell me about going on to college whatsoever and I am really disappointed about that to this day.

Now, out of high school and no job because I had quit my part-time during the summer of 1986, I had begun to hang out with the gang bangers and make some money on the street anyway I could. I drank and drugged for about two years, but I always felt this was temporary and kept looking for an opportunity by looking in the newspaper job ad section every chance I could. I finally saw a free training that was provided and paid by the state if qualified, which I did, and made the call. It was for Administrative Office Skills with emphasis on Accounting. I took a placement test and was accepted to the school for during the summer of 1988, but because my involvement in drugs I failed to report two consecutive days without calling the school and was dropped from the program. I asked the director to give me another chance, but she stated that this was a very strict policy and they had already dropped me. I asked her what else could I do and she stated to me to come back for the program starting in November 1988. I agreed and she said she will put me down for that session. When the time came, I didn't even think about it because I was caught up further in drugging, and making money on the street. I received a phone call at home from someone from the school asking me if I was still interested, which I said yes. They gave me my start date and what time I had to report to the school.

I remember that I made a choice not to drink or drug anymore until I completed the program. I also thought that once I completed the program I was going to celebrate by drinking and drugging again, but something happened. While in the program, I started to feel better about myself. I felt more alive and my education kicked in and I graduated with a 4.0 GPA from the program and was hired by Blue Cross/Blue Shield before I even finished the program in March of 1989. I felt so good that I didn't have a need to go back to that life. I felt that I was saved by that one person who took the time to make that one phone call to see if this kid still had an interest to attend the program he had failed to complete previously. I have thought a lot about where I would be if it wasn't for that person. Sometimes, it takes one human being's decision to change the course of somebody's life and that person changed the course of my life. My mother always thought I had it in me and I didn't want to disappoint her.

Since, I have had two other children and I'm currently separated and my son Antonio who is 18 years old lives with me. Jordan is with his mom in Florida. I've always had a love for learning and just recently tutored a friend in an online Associates of Arts in Business with Olivet Nazarene University. My career goal is to become a certified public accountant. I've been unwilling to incur the expense because I've been giving my kids the time and direction that I was not fortunate to have from my father. So, I vowed to be there as a father even if I'm not in a relationship with their mom, because I see how important it is in a kid's life and the impact it can have. I've put myself second because of these commitments.

The education I obtained will help me provide my kids with a role model, showing them is never to late to achieve their goals and that persistence is important no matter the obstacles. The fact that I'm a self-learner and have worked with an online setting through the tutoring of my friend, gives me a good idea that the online environment is the right choice for me. I'm familiar with it and my thirst for knowledge and being a self-learner makes me an ideal candidate.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Kia Freeland

Victoria — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Kia Freeland

Associate of Science in Computer Information Science
Everest University Online

Good Day. My name is Kia T. Freeland, I am a dedicated wife of 12 years and a mother of 5 wonderful children. I am currently working as a temporary employee, placed in a government agency, as a Administrative Staff assistant.

It has taken me many years to be able to learn the difference between being employed doing something that I love to do and trying to make hobbies a career. What I have found out about myself is, though I can do many things and sought after jobs that would enable me to do them, they were hobbies I took pleasure in doing on my own time, in my own way, it bought me peace and soundness. I realized that it would not be a great career move, because would take the joy out of hobbies I loved, and make them a chore and add pressure. Once I found out exactly who I am and fell in love with me, I found out what I wanted to be.

Going back to school is my next step in life. I have always wanted to go back to school, and while raising my children and always telling them to reach higher, I need to live by my own words, and this is me reaching higher. I have found now, people don't work on the honor system, having on the job experience is not as valuable nowadays as having a degree, even though you may have been there and done that.

I have been in the Administrative field for over 12, first starting out in customer service, and have held jobs as telephone rep, cashier in a fast food chain, clothing stores and supermarkets. From there I transitioned into reception, and of course after doing that for a number of years you move to secretary and administrative assistant. I learned how an office works and what is expected from me in these positions, the company's may change but the job titles basically stay the same with some degree of variance to suit the company. Having been in these positions I tried my hand at office management, I loved it! I see myself running the office for a major business being only second to the Vice president.

I have a full-time day job, and when I get home I am still on the job, I am a wife and a mother, a cook, a nurse, and I hold a slew of other positions, time is not always something that is readily available to me, I need some things to work around my schedule, and being able to take classes online while my chicken bakes in the oven works for me! I look forward to this next step!

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Dana Ray

Victoria — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:35:00 GMT

Dana Ray

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Everest University Online

After being self employed for the past ten years, I am eager to pursue a new direction in the field of Administration of Justice.

I have raised two sons who are now ready to go off to college themselves, and until such time that they had both completed High School, I made a personal decision not to pursue my own desires. Simply put, I did not want a full time career to get in the way of anything that they were involved in at school.

The fact that I have been self-employed, certainly afforded me the ability to partake in every event, sports or otherwise that my children have been a part of. Just being able to have that freedom of "availability" to them when they needed it most, made it all worth the wait.

Although I enjoyed those freedoms when I needed them, I am eager, ready and willing to enter the workforce on a full-time basis, in a field that is sure to be rewarding and challenging at best. I have always considered a career in the areas of law and criminal justice, however just did not see it fitting in our life style while raising our sons.

My husband and I have been married for 22 years, and spent the first 16 of those years as a Military family in the United States Marine Corp, traveling to many different locations/duty stations to include Japan. My husband has since retired after spending 21 years as a Military family.

Each duty station provided limited opportunity for spouses in the way of education opportunities; however I did take various courses along the way. Not having a course of direction during that time, I have approximately 12 units of courses that most likely will not count towards any one specific degree.

Being a mother was more important to me than obtaining a degree, so as I stated earlier, I made the decision to work independently so that I could be there when I was needed. Times are certainly different now, and with the endless time on my hands I am ready to go back to school!

Having recently taken a 40 hour course in Domestic Violence training, so that I can volunteer at our local shelter for women and children, I am more convinced now than ever that the field of Administratioin of Justice/ Criminal Justice is most certainly the path in which I will take for my next career. I would welcome the opportunity to be able to assist these women and their children in a more constructive life style choice than the one so many choose. As difficult as some of these situations can be, it takes strong individuals with tremendous compassion and strength to show the victims (male or female) out of a potentially life threatening situation. The children caught up in these domestic violence battles are often distraught beyond measure and ultimately grow up to be abusers them selves. If they are taught that this is not acceptable, and are further instructed on how not to repeat this often repeated lifestyle choice, then society at large will be better off.

These families need to know that someone cares, and to be the caseworker for such circumstances would be an incredible way to give hope in what might seem hopeless.

Finances permitting I would have enrolled in the local community college. However after a grueling past three years in the Real Estate Market, (I was a Real Estate agent) funds are limited and reserved for necessities only. Although my husband is now a civil service employee following his retirement and also receives a pension times are still tough and money is tight. Our youngest son is now ready to head of to the local community college simply because we have no funds to send him elsewhere, so any ideas I had about returning to school will be put off again, until such time we get him up and running.

If the opportunity was afforded to me, I would be extremely honored to be able to go back to school and obtain the degree that I had always hoped for. If there is one single regret that my husband and I share, it is the fact that neither one of us ever finished college, which is something we both want now. To try and convince our boys the importance of a degree without having obtained one ourselves has been challenging at best.

Perhaps we can all obtain a degree together, what a blessing that would be! I look forward to hearing from you regarding the possibility of being selected as a candidate for a full-tuition scholarship. I hope that you find my essay favorable and worthy of selection. If not, I thank you for the opportunity to enter, and I truly wish the best for all the ones who do get chosen.

Respectfully,

Dana M. Ray

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Michelle Novak

Victoria — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:09:00 GMT

Michelle Novak

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Everest University Online

Being a single mother of two school aged children has taught me many things. The number one lesson that I have learned is how important it is to have a degree under your belt to succeed in the working world. A few years ago I enrolled in an online degree program to obtain an A.A.S. in Computer Administration. The program was great and the online option allowed me to work full time and be able to take care of the children. After a few months, I was unable to log into the courses. After some research, I found out the school had closed. The credits I earned were not transferrable and I was left with nothing.

Since that time I have changed jobs four times. Each new position afforded me more opportunities and I was able to work my way up to a management position and purchase my first house. The most recent job that I held was only for a little over a year. I worked for a division of a larger company who decided they were selling off the division. I scrambled to save some money and took a course at a local community college to work in the medical field. Unfortunately, there are not many opportunities for which I have schooling for. I have now taken a job with the Department of Corrections. I enjoy my job immensely, but had to take a large pay cut.

I am interested in obtaining an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. Not only is the subject interesting, but having the degree will allow me to apply for other opportunities within the Department of Corrections. My ultimate goal is to work as a Parole Officer in the Department of Probation and Parole, preferably within a correctional institution.

Another avenue that I may pursue is that of Corrections Counselor. This role allows you to interact with the inmates on another level. I currently work with two Corrections Counselors and both have given me much encouragement to return to school to pursue this career. As I watch them day in and day out, I see things that I would like to do while working with the inmates as well as things that could be changed. I believe that if you treat a person the proper way, you can make a difference in their life. Currently I am taking a certification course through Penn Foster for Medical Billing and Coding. I am almost finished with the courses and believe that I have an A average. I love the flexibility online schooling provides. I also enjoy learning on my own, at my own pace. Online classes also provide me the opportunity to be home with the children at night to work on homework and extra curricular activities.

This scholarship would mean the world to me. It would allow me to reach my goals and continue to show my children that if you are persistent in reaching your goals, somehow, someway, you will. I am an excellent student and an excellent worker. Having the opportunity to get my degree is not something I would take for granted. I understand how it is to work hard and get little in return because you are lacking a degree.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Delayne Strand

Victoria — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:08:00 GMT

Delayne Strand

Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Everest University Online

I have been a child care provider for 20 years and I see the need for a change in my life. I have loved being a child care provider. I know that I have really made the difference in the life of many children. During the time that I was a child care provider I was chosen as Provider of the Year for my county, I was a mentor to new providers and I taught classes for other child care providers.

However: As a child care provider there is no chance for advancement, there are no real raises, and the most important factor in needing a change is the lack of benefits; there are none. There is no health care, no dental care, and no retirement program. With todays economy I have raised my rates by 3 percent last year while my expenses have gone up approximately 20 percent So I am actually making less of an income than I made last year.

The reality of having no benefits really hit home 2 years ago when my husband lost his job in manufacturing of 20 years. We went almost 1 year without any health insurance. That was a really tough time for our family. We have 3 sons, 2 of which suffer from chronic illnesses. We did not go to the doctor when we should have, we did without medications, and we really were living on the brink. What do you do when your cobra payment for health insurance is over $800.00 a month. Do you pay your mortgage, or do you pay for health insurance. During this time one of my children fell on ice and sprained his leg and broke 2 teeth in half. I believe that we are still making payments for this small; but very expensive fall.

After having gone through these difficult times, I know that the time has come for me to make a career change. Besides loving working with children, I love to work with numbers. I have always loved numbers, working with them and trying to put everything in order is like working on a puzzle. I love to reconcile statements and even doing Uncle Sam's taxes can be a very interesting experience.

As a working mother I believe that an online education is the perfect way to further your education. It can be flexible, you can still work, be a mom, and earn a degree. You can tailor your school schedule around your home life and your job. If you have to work an hour late, you can still go to classes that night and not miss a thing.

Twenty years ago I gave up my career in a retail store as a head bookkeeper/head cashier in order to stay home with my children. I had opportunities to climb the corporate ladder at that time, but I declined because the schedule was not family friendly. Having my children has been the greatest experience of my life. But now is the time for me to look forward into the future; my future. I need to increase my income, work for a company that can provide the benefits that everyone needs and I need to see what I can become. I believe that the best thing that someone can do for themselves is to be educated. Whether it is going to a science class with your child or being online in a college course learning about the accounting cycle.

You can always learn something new.

I also believe that I still have a lot of working years ahead of me, and that it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Getting a college education is probably financially impossible for me with my current career choice, it would be fantastic if you could grant me, the ultimate working mother a full scholarship. Because not only am I a mom of three sons, I am a daycare mom which means that I am the mom to many while their parents can work. Because of the many of thousands of daycare moms in this country; many, many other moms can work and keep their own families going.

So in closing I hope that you will be a part of my future, help me to gain a college education, and grant this wish to a very tired, but willing working mom.

And in closing; I wish to say to you my favorite way of signing a letter; "Remember, quiet women rarely make history."

Delayne Strand

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Tameka Echols

Victoria — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:07:00 GMT

Tameka Echols

Bachelor of Science in Paralegal
Everest University Online

A Setback Is a Setup For a Comeback.

If I had not gotten ill in June, I don't believe I would have ever learned of www.projectworkingmom.com. To me, to be educated means to have the power. No one can take my education away from me once I have it.

I am a 33-year-old black woman. I live in a suburb outside Chicago with my husband of 15 years and two beautiful children. For the past eight years, I have been employed with the second largest financial institution in the country. On June 2, 2008, my life came to a screeching halt.

I woke up and couldn't feel the left side of my body. I was rushed to the local emergency room for evaluation. As I heard the first analysis, that I was having a stroke, my life flashed before my eyes. All I could think about was how I had not accomplished my goal of getting a degree to help make a better life for my family. I was hospitalized for two days and was sent home on a walker and recommendations to see my primary doctor and a physical therapist. With their help, I am now able to walk again and have full use of all of my limbs.

During this time of recovery, I began to seriously take a look at my life and what I will do with it since I have been given a second chance. I know that having a degree will help me to grow in my company. Not having a degree has kept me from being promoted to numerous positions that I had applied for. Even though I have the work experience, I was not able to meet the degree requirements. Getting a degree is now my primary educational and personal goal.

As a high school senior, I met with the guidance counselor to look into college options. He leaned forward in his chair, pulled his glasses off and said You wont do well at a four-year university. Stick to a vocational or community college. He placed fear in me by saying that college teachers are mean and that I would have to stand in front of 250 students to give speeches and it would be scary. Needless to say, I did not apply at any universities. I decided to go to a business college and become a legal secretary first, and then a lawyer. I was accepted and started attending Northwestern Business College in 1992. Eight months later, my husband had accepted a position out of town and we moved. Immediately, I enrolled in Midstate College in Peoria, IL. Unfortunately, a labor dispute took place and my husbands employer broke the contract. Unemployed, we became homeless and sought help from my parents back in Chicago.

On the first month anniversary on my new job in a bank, I was robbed at gun point and shot at. While healing from this traumatic event, I found out that I was pregnant. I did my best to prepare my body for the new baby and soon obtained a different position within the same bank. With mounting bills from being unemployed and medical expenses from being hospitalized fifteen times before delivering our child, we were forced to file bankruptcy. Three years later, while pregnant with my second child, over 2,500 employees, as well as I, were downsized. 18 months later, the new company I worked for decided to move the office to Connecticut and I was laid off yet again. Finally, at the end of the chain of three lay-offs, I successfully interviewed and accepted a position with the company I work for presently.

In 2007, I decided to apply at Benedictine University and was accepted. Accelerated adult cohort classes were being offered at the local high school one night a week. Regrettably, the classes at this location were cancelled due to low enrollment, and I was offered a transfer to another offsite location 30 minutes from my home. My work schedule and travel time would not allow for me to attend those classes. I leave home at 5:30 am, and return after 6 pm. Therefore, a classroom setting is not an option.

Online programs are an available educational alternative that will fit into my lifestyle. My children are now 13 and 11 and are very independent. My family has always been supportive of me going back to school, and they will not hinder me in completing assigned projects and studying. My husband obtained an Associate's Degree in February, 2008 online and he plans to earn a Bachelor's Degree next. Although we both instill education as a life value in our children, we were forced to interrupt our own learning because we are facing student loans in excess of $30,000.00. In order for me to serve as a role model to my children, demonstrate the importance of formal schooling and pursue my educational goals, I need financial support.

I have not received a paycheck in over two months and I have begun an appeal process with my employer so that I will receive disability benefits until I am fully recovered and able to return to work without any restrictions.

Being able to go to school tuition free would take a load off my shoulders and allow me to achieve my lifelong dream. I have had numerous obstacles that have kept me from completing a degree. I intend to earn a Bachelor of Science Paralegal Degree. This degree, combined with my current personal and professional experience, will prepare me for more available career opportunities in the business world.

I have the determination, patience and courage I need. I have dreamed for a long time; now I am ready to plan, believe in myself and act.

I will proceed with purpose and persistence and I pray and trust that I am now prepared be the first woman in my immediate and extended family to earn a college degree, and positively influence my children, friends and relatives. A scholarship from www.projectworkingmom.com is the way to create the right circumstances for making my dream come true. I stand strong in my vision and faith of seizing this opportunity. It will place my life on a brand new level. Through hard work and support from my family, I will earn the degree, open a restaurant and better the life of my family, thus bringing my personal, educational and career goals to harmony.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Felipa Gonnella

Victoria — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:06:00 GMT

Felipa Gonnella

Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Everest University Online

In the United States the streets are paved with gold. Growing up in a small rural community in Mexico I heard that expression time after time.

I was born 42 years ago in Oxnard, California the oldest of 10 children, but grew up and went to school in Mexico. My father was a migrant/seasonal worker in Ventura County. He and my mom would make the journey North every year for the strawberry and lemon season and then back to their native land at the end of it. My dad always told us that being born in the US was the best gift he could ever give us; he wanted us to have the opportunity to come back here if we ever wanted to because after 1970 we stayed permanently in Mexico.

When I was 18-years-old, fresh out of high school, my parents decided to move the family back to California because my dad was too sick to work and needed medical attention. Also, he could no longer provide us with the resources (money) to live or continue our education.

California turned out to be not at all like the stories I had heard. For starters, I did not see any golden paved streets, but I did see that the opportunities were there. All I had to do was learn English. I enrolled in ESL classes as soon as I was able to.

My first job in this country was in a factory, not a very glamorous job but the only thing I could find due to the fact that I could not speak English. It was hard work and light years away from my dream of becoming an accountant. I became friends with an older woman who had spent her life working at that factory. She told me her story which is the same or very similar to many people who emigrate from other countries. She came here at the age of 20 with big dreams for her future; she was going to become a teacher. However, she explained to me that she never cared to learn to speak English well enough to go to College which limited her options to even getting a better job. She also told me that because she never went to school her children now had no desire to do so because if she could support a family with her meager earnings, so could they. She told me not to give up and to do something with myself.

With a few months of ESL under my belt I decided to enroll in College. My English was not by any means good but I thought that if I took classes that didn't require too much writing I would be okay. My first class was Accounting 101 which I failed miserably because not even my love for numbers could make up for my inability to comprehend my instructor. I realized that I needed to go back to simply learning English and then give it another try. A year later I gave College a try again but had to drop out because my family and I had to move to a more affordable community. I kept thinking that if I could make more money we wouldnt have to move because I would be able to help more with my income, which I couldnt do because in order for me get a better job I had to have a College degree.

I enrolled in a Technical school course that lasted 2 years and was able to get a Certificate in Accounting and I thought I was ready to take on the world.

However, my bubble burst when I started looking for a job and I realized that people were not impressed by the fact that I had a Certificate, they were looking for a degree. Fortunately I found someone willing to give me a chance working in an office which liberated me from factory work once and for all. For the next couple of years I was content with my progress, I had a better income now which made me move my dream of a college education to the bottom of my list.

I got married and had two great kids. Unfortunately my second child, my daughter, was born prematurely, and the doctors told us that she might need a lot of special care which we decided a child care facility would not be able to provide so the best decision for our family was for me to quit my job and become a stay home mom to care for her. Too quickly her medical bills began piling up reaching an exorbitant total because even though we had medical insurance, most of the treatment that she needed was not covered under our policy; we were ultimately forced to declare bankruptcy. Little by little we got back on our feet, but to improve our chances of making it we had to move to another town.

As my children got older and more independent, I decided to go back to school because I thought I had plenty of time to do it. We discussed it with my husband and figured out a schedule so we wouldnt have to pay for child care, which we couldnt afford on his salary alone and by now we had one more child. I enrolled at my local community college but after only a couple of courses the dream had to be put on hold again, not for lack of desire, but because we could no longer manage financially unless we became a two income family again.

It has been 9 years since then, and the itch to further my education has begun to flare once again.

With a hectic life like mine an online school is the best alternative to an education, and for me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams of becoming a CPA. That will definitely provide me with a better income for my family and as a result I can provide my children the support they need to make it easier on them to accomplish their education dreams.

Yes the streets of the United States are paved with gold, but only for those who take advantage of the opportunities that generous people like you offer.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Angela Hart

Victoria — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:05:00 GMT

Angela Hart

Bachelor of Business
Everest University Online

Leaving a Legacy or True Success

In the spirit of Project Working Mom and the requirements necessary to be qualified to receive educational funds, I am offering the following essay for your consideration. It will hopefully tell the story of a woman who: 1) sees the value of a college education; 2) has the motivation to earn a college degree; and 3) takes the opportunity to use that degree to advance her career, improve the quality of life for her family, and benefit other members of her community.

I graduated from high school in 1984 and married that same year. Three years later I started a family with my husband, and I enjoyed life as a full-time mother of two boys. Unfortunately, as a result of a divorce in 1999, I became a single mom and was suddenly thrust into a new and scary role as sole breadwinner for my family. With no relevant work experience to speak of, I hardly had a resume with which to enter the paid work force. I was, however, resourceful, in creating an impressive resume based on the many leadership positions I had held while serving in various volunteer roles. These positions included Reading Incentive Chairman, PTA Secretary, President of the local little league football organization, and bookkeeper/financial manager for my ex-husbands business. With that resume, I successfully sold myself into a mid-level position with the company where I have now been employed for nearly twelve years. From my quiet beginning as a mid-level bookkeeper, I have made steady and significant advancements in my 12-year career with our companies. While serving as Accounting Assistant to our CPA, I developed and led a fledgling Human Resources initiative. I was later promoted to Production Team Leader, responsible for sixteen teams consisting of two hundred employees working three shifts. I have held the position of Key Account Manager for several international accounts. I am currently one of four Account Executives for our three multimillion-dollar companies, of which I am now one of a handful of shareholders.

Today, however, I find myself at a crossroads. While I may consider that I have accomplished much with only a high school diploma, I see that I am in fact limited as to the level of success I am able to attain. Without a college degree, I cannot progress any further within my company than my present position. In essence, my career advancement and income level have nearly reached their maximum potential. I never fully appreciated the value of a college education until now.

Earning a degree would benefit my employer as well as catapult my career. I would be promoted into a position with increased responsibilities as well as greater influence within our three companies. My employer and I both share the desire for me to assume the roles of Human Resources Director and Accounting Administrator. However, obtaining these positions is contingent upon my earning a degree in Business Administration. I would, therefore, have a very strong incentive in pursuing and completing this degree program. I would also receive the added benefits of a substantial increase in pay, influence and prestige.

Dave Crowder, the Vice President of our small woman-owned business, has this vision: To have a work place so healthy that folks are lined up at the front door waiting to come in and work for us, while our services are so outstanding that we have product enough going out the back door to support their employment. To be the conduit of a dream where a greater corporate environment is created and whereby people can work securely and support their families, which are also often headed by other single moms, is a dream worth striving for. Earning a degree will enable me to help make that dream become a reality.

Besides advancing my career, a degree would also benefit my family. In 2007, my Dad became disabled due to a debilitating illness. He was no longer able to work, and in the spring of this year, he and my mom moved in with me. My dad is bravely battling cancer, and he is an inspiration to me. Like me, he was a highly skilled but not formally educated employee. Although he worked very hard and found a level of success that makes me proud of him, he never earned a college degree. This meant that he worked in a position that afforded him limited preparation for retirement or for a catastrophic event like cancer. My mom, just as inspiring, was a stay-at-home wife. With only an eighth-grade education, she did a wonderful job in raising her two daughters. She has seen one of her daughters (my sister) aspire and earn her Master's degree in psychology.

There is no doubt of the impact a degree would have in the workplace, on prospective employees in my community, in my ability to provide for my parents, or the personal pride I would have among my peers. But I believe its greatest benefit would be the legacy I would create for my sons. They have seen their mom defy the odds. They have seen me overcome adversity in my climb up the corporate ladder through a combination of faith, integrity and hard work. And while they may view my progression from a housewife to a senior Account Executive as a modern American success story, Im afraid they may have come to a false conclusion. It is the same conclusion I had come to until now, that one does not have to have a college-level education to become successful.

I know that times are different than they were more than twenty years ago when I graduated from high school. It was easier back then to land a decent job that did not require an education beyond the high school level. However, in todays economy, we need a degree to help our employers keep their competitive edge. On the home front, we need a degree to provide as much as we can for our families needs. Learning about Project Working Mom has been an exciting, eye-opening event for me. I realized through this process that this is my time. It is a time where I can take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a scholarship that will allow me to grow educationally, personally and corporately. It is a time where I can earn a degree on-line in the evenings from my home while still meeting the rigorous demands of my job and my family. It is a time of true opportunity.

In this essay, I hope you have seen the heart of a woman, a woman who loves her family, respects her employers, has served and will continue to serve her community, and who has recognized the need to obtain a degree. I hope you have also heard the story of a woman who is determined to make her part of the world a better place on many levels. I hope that most of all, you have found the story of a woman worthy of receiving the scholarship being offered through Project Working Mom.

My sons know I am entering the Project Working Mom contest and that I have started on the path to earning my degree. When I reach this milestone in my life, it will give them pause to re-examine the choices they have made thus far, to re-evaluate their own goals in life, and to perhaps arrive at a different conclusion about the value of a college education. By winning this contest and subsequently earning my degree I would give my sons the vision to see today what it has taken me over 40 years to see. Only then would I consider myself truly successful. This is the legacy I want to leave.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Ann Marie Ulery

Victoria — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:04:00 GMT

Ann Marie Ulery

Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Everest University Online

My name is Ann Marie Ulery, I am a 25-year-old mother and military wife currently located at Little Rock Air Force Base. I have a 2-year-old, 7-year-old step-daughter and POA of my best friend's daughter while she and her husband are currently deployed in Iraq until early next year. I had to put school on hold due to my husbands uncalling duty to serve his country and my uncalling duty to support him. With my husband being deployed on and of over he past 2 years, had to double up and be mommy and daddy all alone, school couldn't be a factor when I was alone to raise my family.

I yearn to complete my degree for it is something I have as an everyday goal. Finish school. Finishing school is very important to me. You cannot exceed in life financially without a degree. No matter what program or system is created telling that you can work at home and make millions, you can't it's not real. We can all live our lives like Paris Hilton, walking around being famous and wild! WE all have responsibilities, I have responsibilities. I cannot fail my children, for I choose to be successful in all that I encounter in my life.

Yes things do happen where you may have to make some rearrangements but there is a time to bring certain things back, such as getting my degree. Getting an education and most importantly an online education is one of the best options I have seen for myself in the earning your career world! I can attend class and attend to my family without having put a pause to school.

I currently work as a part time manager in a retail store for plus size women. Due to the change in our economy, the company I work for is making drastic changes. Some weeks hours are cut and sales are shortened. I have to prove everyday I can provide excellent customer service so I am not seen as an “option” but as a great manager who provides customer service. But as much as I enjoy my job it is not a career based job, I get paid by the hour and unlike my store manager I don’t receive a bonus. I know that getting my degree will help ensure me of a job that will give me great benefits and salary pay.

Everyday I apply for jobs that at least make up to $11.00 per hour and that are full time for I fear of losing my current job because we have lost customers due to the harsh changes in our economy. I constantly worry about being rejected on certain interviews due to employer seeing I do not have a degree listed on my resume. We all know it is a higher possibility that someone can choose a potential employee based on whether or not they have a degree. I refuse to be denied anymore….

As a mother and a wife online schools has brought so much relief to the at home or working mothers. We no longer sit in the shadows as just a mother trying to get buy, we are the powerhouse multi-tasking how women handle work, education, and life in this struggling economy. I am proud to be a powerhouse factor in this world and completing my education will help me change and mold my life, community, and possibly the world.