Two to three pages is not nearly enough space that I would need to describe what has changed since I started at UNCG, back in 1994. A book would have to be written! I feel like my journey has been a bit different than most, but maybe not? When I started at UNCG, I was a 21-year-old transfer student, from New Jersey whose father had just passed away. Now, I am a 51-year-old man who is two classes away from earning his bachelor’s degree.
From 1994 up until this moment in 2024, I have had countless jobs, girlfriends, been in and out of many alcohol and drug rehabs, detoxes, psych wards, hurt a lot of people, and I have put myself in some bad positions. In 2013, I finally got sober, and stayed sober. Now, I live my life in recovery, and it’s been over eleven years, and I am still going! I am lucky enough to work in the field of recovery, so I get to help others, every single day!
I am now married, with step kids, holding two jobs, and earning my degree. What does this degree mean to me? A LOT! Coming back to school after 25 years has been quite challenging to say the least. There have been many times that I just wanted to quit, but that’s what I have always done, quit.
I have always preached to my step kids about the importance of earning a degree, and I would feel like a fraud, so I figured, why not? Having this simple piece of paper represents so much more than what people think. My step-kids would say, ‘Earning a degree is waste of time, and money’. This degree doesn’t guarantee me a high paying job, or an amazing life. To me, it shows that I have completed something that nobody can take away from me. It shows that I have completed a series of tasks, from start to finish. As difficult as it was at times, I just kept going. One never knows what they can accomplish when they put their mind to it. At the same time, the world looks a little bit different to me, and maybe the world looks at me a little bit different.
I certainly have some experience in life, as well as the workplace. The BIPS courses just adds to all of that. I believe I have become a better person because of it, in the workplace, as a human being, and as a husband. Not only is every single person in my life extremely proud of me, but I am also proud of myself, very proud!
This capstone course really tied all the core courses together. Although I had a hard time remembering the other courses, I was able to go through canvas for those quick recaps.
Some of these courses I have taken have helped with so much, such as creating graphs, looking at charts, writing papers, being able to look at things from different angles, solving problems, working on projects in groups, being a team player, and creating websites. Most of all, these courses and earning this degree has simply taught to be more accountable and to take personal responsibility. I have a full, amazing life, so taking time each week to read modules, handle assignments, take quizzes, tests, write papers and create websites really helped me to manage my time, and prioritize. As I mentioned, I am married, with step kids and holding two jobs. What I didn’t mention are the work events, some traveling, picking up my kids from school, going to softball games, cheer competitions, stunt competitions, food shopping, doing housework, dealing with contractors, all while trying to remain sober on a daily basis. Oh yeah, we have TWO Great Danes. Sometimes the worst thing I can hear is, ‘What’s for dinner?’
I am not sure where I go from here, maybe I will earn my master’s degree, maybe not? I finally don’t have to lie anymore on job interviews, or on my resume, saying that I have a college degree, because now, it will be the truth. Either way, having that B.S. at the end of my name on my LinkedIn account, my business card, my email signature, and anywhere else I can put it… will be a huge accomplishment and a big deal to me!
From 1994 up until this moment in 2024, I have had countless jobs, girlfriends, been in and out of many alcohol and drug rehabs, detoxes, psych wards, hurt a lot of people, and I have put myself in some bad positions. In 2013, I finally got sober, and stayed sober. Now, I live my life in recovery, and it’s been over eleven years, and I am still going! I am lucky enough to work in the field of recovery, so I get to help others, every single day!
I am now married, with step kids, holding two jobs, and earning my degree. What does this degree mean to me? A LOT! Coming back to school after 25 years has been quite challenging to say the least. There have been many times that I just wanted to quit, but that’s what I have always done, quit.
I have always preached to my step kids about the importance of earning a degree, and I would feel like a fraud, so I figured, why not? Having this simple piece of paper represents so much more than what people think. My step-kids would say, ‘Earning a degree is waste of time, and money’. This degree doesn’t guarantee me a high paying job, or an amazing life. To me, it shows that I have completed something that nobody can take away from me. It shows that I have completed a series of tasks, from start to finish. As difficult as it was at times, I just kept going. One never knows what they can accomplish when they put their mind to it. At the same time, the world looks a little bit different to me, and maybe the world looks at me a little bit different.
I certainly have some experience in life, as well as the workplace. The BIPS courses just adds to all of that. I believe I have become a better person because of it, in the workplace, as a human being, and as a husband. Not only is every single person in my life extremely proud of me, but I am also proud of myself, very proud!
This capstone course really tied all the core courses together. Although I had a hard time remembering the other courses, I was able to go through canvas for those quick recaps.
Some of these courses I have taken have helped with so much, such as creating graphs, looking at charts, writing papers, being able to look at things from different angles, solving problems, working on projects in groups, being a team player, and creating websites. Most of all, these courses and earning this degree has simply taught to be more accountable and to take personal responsibility. I have a full, amazing life, so taking time each week to read modules, handle assignments, take quizzes, tests, write papers and create websites really helped me to manage my time, and prioritize. As I mentioned, I am married, with step kids and holding two jobs. What I didn’t mention are the work events, some traveling, picking up my kids from school, going to softball games, cheer competitions, stunt competitions, food shopping, doing housework, dealing with contractors, all while trying to remain sober on a daily basis. Oh yeah, we have TWO Great Danes. Sometimes the worst thing I can hear is, ‘What’s for dinner?’
I am not sure where I go from here, maybe I will earn my master’s degree, maybe not? I finally don’t have to lie anymore on job interviews, or on my resume, saying that I have a college degree, because now, it will be the truth. Either way, having that B.S. at the end of my name on my LinkedIn account, my business card, my email signature, and anywhere else I can put it… will be a huge accomplishment and a big deal to me!