Students blog

My story began long before I found myself in college as a non-traditional student. When I was growing up, one of my favorite things to do was to play teacher. My grandparents had a house that was built in 1912 in Opelika, Alabama that was the former primary school for their neighborhood. The basement of the house was the schoolhouse, and the old desks and blackboards were part of my childhood playgrounds. The money I earned money doing chores to help my grandparents was spent at the local teacher supply store. I decorated the old schoolhouse like a real school, used my dolls and stuffed animals as my pupils, and my uncle’s textbooks from Auburn University as my curriculum. I’m sure it was quite a sight to see a seven-year-old fumbling through a book of literature and calculus to teach her toys! As I grew older, I was always was drawn towards my teachers and the significance of their roles in my life.

When I became a mother at not quite twenty-two, I embraced each moment to be able to teach my daughter about the world. I had the fortune of being able to stay home with my young children, as I was also a Navy wife. I decorated the house as a kindergarten. Books and engaging toys were in little areas of each room, and our living room became the classroom. I read as much as I could about child development and planned my days as if I were teaching a Montessori preschool. Three children and a world of life changes later, I found myself going through a very difficult divorce. I suddenly was faced with the reality that I was going to have to figure out what I was going to do to help myself and my children in the world.

I eventually became a nurse’s assistant in elder care, which helped me balance work life with family life while providing for my family. This also helped me feel that connection to my grandparents I missed so much after they passed away. The message that I kept receiving from the residents that I cared for was about how important it was to live the life that makes you happy and that leaves something meaningful for your family and future generations. This really struck me because, even though I was very happy working with the elderly, I wasn’t feeling that satisfaction the residents always spoke of.

I had the experience of working as a paraprofessional in a high school ESE (Exceptional Student Education) classroom two years ago, and it was the catalyst that set my world spinning towards the path to my dreams. The students impacted me in ways that I will forever carry within my heart. I had my first experience teaching a student something brand new and observing the process of understanding and their synthesis of the knowledge. In that moment, I knew that I had to go to college and finally become a teacher. I began this journey in August of 2016 and am so proud of how far I have come!

In September 2017 I had the amazing opportunity to receive the Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education. Becoming a Pearson Scholar has added to my confidence in myself tremendously. I have been able to focus much more on my studies without as much stress about finances. As part of the scholarship, I have been matched with a mentor from Pearson, too. My Pearson Mentor has been very helpful in keeping me on track, helping me to further develop my academic and career based goals as well as helping me feel confident in my act of juggling work, school and family. My dream of becoming a teacher is coming true.

When I was five years old, my younger sister was born with complications resulting in a prolonged hospital stay. Sitting at the bedside, I watched in fascination as the nurses ran the show. It was almost like a dance the way they flew around the room, checking on patients, giving medications, and comforting loved ones. I was immediately drawn to the field. Nursing was my calling.

Searching for a way to begin

Fast forward fifteen years later and I was finally ready to apply to nursing school. However, the year long wait between applications and beginning the program seemed to drag on forever. As I awaited my acceptance I felt it was time to enter the medical field, even if it meant starting at the bottom. Unfortunately, with no medical license or experience, even starting at the bottom turned out to be difficult. Hoping to get a foot in the door, I began taking medical assisting classes. To my surprise, a computer science class that I had signed up for on a whim ended up being my golden ticket.

Doors began opening

This computer course used Pearson’s MyLab IT software to simulate scenarios in which Microsoft applications may be used in a professional setting. The simulation sessions allow for user-friendly, interactive learning so that the information will not be forgotten. Each time a section of the course is completed, Pearson awards the user with a digital badge to declare proficiency in the subject. At first, I just used these badges to spruce up my previously barren LinkedIn page. But after reflecting on how much I had learned using Pearson’s interactive learning style, I realized that these badges were more than decorations. With my new proficiency in Microsoft applications, I saw doors open up on the administrative side of medicine.

My IT skills set me apart

I applied for an administrative position at a local medical organization and heard back promptly. The first question the hiring manager asked was in regards to my experience using Microsoft applications, and, more specifically, Excel. Impressed by my Pearson’s MyLab IT software experience, she invited me in for an interview. Being familiar with Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, and Powerpoint were skill-sets that helped set me apart from other candidates during the hiring process, despite my lack of experience in the field.

Training the trainers

Shortly after being hired, I found myself sharing tips and tricks about using Excel with colleagues who were supposed to be training me. Microsoft Excel has many innovative features, but, without the proper training, most of these features go to waste. There is definitely a difference between understanding how to use Excel versus using Excel to its full potential. Sharing what I learned from MyLab IT training has improved efficiency throughout my entire department. Using Microsoft Excel continues to be a crucial part of my job, and Pearson’s program prepared me to use the program effectively within the work place.

A solid foundation

Now, as I finish up nursing school, I remain a valued employee within this organization. In a few months, I will graduate and hope to transfer to a nursing position within the same organization. Thanks to Pearson, I was able to begin my career path and build a foundation for my future.

Last year, I was honored with the privilege of being paired with a mentor through the Pearson Scholars program. I had never had a mentor before and didn’t quite know what to expect. I learned a lot through the experience that I would like to share with you.

Mentorship set the scholarship apart

The Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education is different from other scholarship programs because it is all encompassing, meaning they provide support in multiple areas. In addition to providing financial aid, they also pair the scholar with a mentor from Pearson who helps guide through the transfer student journey. I had always wanted a mentor and was ecstatic when I was paired with Julie Watson. No one can contest that a scholarship is helpful in paying for school, but a mentorship is a bit harder to quantify. There is no dollar amount you can put on a mentorship, and with relationships it’s often said that, “you give what you get”.  

Finding a way to connect

The idea of having a mentor is thrown around a lot within the context of business and academic environments. While the word ‘mentor’ may be overused to the point of becoming a cliché, its impact on young and aspiring people is almost immeasurable. The relationship I have developed with my mentor has gradually convinced me of this fact.

Introductions

My Pearson Scholarship includes being matched with a mentor to work with me as I transitioned from community college to university. Upon meeting Andrew Taylor (my mentor) I could immediately see that he was incredibly enthusiastic and excited about our connection. Just like any formally implemented relationship, things started off rigid and professional. We stuck to the agenda and ended meetings promptly. We learned a lot about each other’s interests and abilities but knew very little about what made us both tick.

Discussing Interview Strategies

Although the first few months were more professional, the value added for me was enormous. During this time, I was preparing to interview for a banking internship. This process required me to drastically refine my resume as well as improve my public speaking and professional presence. Andrew was instrumental in helping me prepare for the interview process. Although our relationship was still quite formal, his professional experience and wisdom helped me secure a position with Merrill Lynch.

Establishing Common Ground

Once the stress from interview season died down, Andrew and I had a chance to really get to know each other. We began to have less formal conversations, steering more towards our personal interests. Because of our similar interest in business as well as our general intellectual curiosity, our scheduled calls began to spark many in-depth conversations that would go on well past the scheduled time allotted for the call.

Redefining our Relationship

Throughout the last year and a half, our relationship has blossomed into something that transcends mere professional mentorship. We have built a friendship and feel that few topics are inappropriate to broach.

I am very lucky to have such an involved mentor who has truly taken an interest in my life path, both as a professional and also as a person.

September 2016 brought about more change in my life than I could have expected in two big ways. First, I became a dad! Second, I was notified that I was a recipient of the Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education. With the Pearson Scholarship I was also matched with a mentor to help me manage my transition from community college to a four-year school. I wondered how this would help since my mentor lived in Pennsylvania and I lived in Mississippi.

An interesting dynamic

I met my mentor Dan Belenky in a virtual call. I learned that he is an education researcher at Pearson and to my surprise, he had a child due soon. This presented an interesting dynamic. As we got to know each other, we would bond over our experiences and over our children. He gave me advice regarding how to handle certain scenarios, and I gave him advice regarding what I have experienced as a parent.

If you are lucky enough to have someone invested in your personal, academic, or career success –  it’s important that you make the most of that relationship! Don’t be intimidated by mentors. They are there to help you! I have had a very valuable and insightful experience being mentored as part of the Pearson Scholars program, and I want to share with you 3 pieces of advice to ensure you make the most of your mentorship!

Get Personal.

It can be intimidating to share the details of your life with someone, but doing so will help you create genuine connections with your mentor. It will be easier to maintain a relationship if you are updating one another on life events.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

The worst thing that anyone can say is ‘no’. However, most of the time, your mentor will be more than willing to help in your educational journey. Be open to suggestions and eager to learn. Feedback is critical to developing healthy perspective and ideas.

Focus on self-development.

Knowing who you are and what you want will help your mentor pair you with resources and internship opportunities. Growing and changing is a constant process that we aren’t always aware of. Take some time to refresh and reflect, whether that be through meditation, prayer, journaling or talking with friends and family.

Having a mentor is very helpful in your success as you progress from academics to careers. The relationship you have with your mentor is vital, and that is why I encourage you to not restrain your emotion. Truly get to know the person, and they will get to know you as well. Through this, don’t hesitate to ask for their advice, but also keep in mind your own personal goals and development.

Have you had a mentor? What made the relationship great? Share with the Pearson Students community by commenting below!

Scholarships are hard to come by these days. People tirelessly spend dreadful hours writing an essay for a scholarship they don’t even feel confident in winning. The way to win is simple, be cool under pressure.

Have backups.

Relying on one full-ride scholarship to pay for everything is like the Brooklyn Nets relying on buzzer-beaters to win every game. It just doesn’t work like that. Have a couple of backup scholarships filled out along with your “jackpot” scholarships. These scholarships will come in handy in case you don’t win that full-ride. Also, your backups shouldn’t be $5,000 or higher. These “backup” scholarships should be scholarships that are between $500-1,000. These are scholarships average students fail to apply for. Making sure you have applied for an ample amount of backup scholarships is critical in being successful.

Be yourself.

If you are going to be someone else on your scholarship, you might as well put their name on the scholarship essay. Since you put your name on the essay, make it your essay. The essay you write is your only chance to stand out from all the other applicants. Be the sauciest version of yourself in your essay- elaborate on the details that make you unique and well worthy of a scholarship.

Don’t procrastinate.  

You shouldn’t wait until the deadline to begin writing your essay. The second that scholarship is available, you should be preparing for your essay. The best way is to take small steps each day so that you end up with your best essay before it’s due.

I honestly can’t tell you how miraculous these tips were for me when I applied for scholarships. These tips are to help you write better, not only for scholarships, but also for classes. In fact, I use these tips when I’m writing my college essays for class. Writing is the key to success. Everyone has a story to tell –  so put pen to paper and unleash yours! Who knows,you could possibly even win some money for school with it!

What makes you a great writer? Share some insight with the Pearson Students community below!

Goal setting, especially in college, is a common topic that can seem overwhelming. In reality, once you break down what accomplishing a goal really looks like it becomes relatively simple. The key is to start with a frame of mind that sets you up for future success by utilizing your present time.

Whether your goal is getting an A on an assignment or increasing the number of books you read a month, the perspective on how to be successful is the same. It is crucial to start with the end in mind and begin to work backwards. By doing this, you divide your overall goal into smaller checkpoints. This will help you stay on track and easily measure your progress over time.

It is important when setting a goal to have a distinct timeline and metric of measurement for success. That will give you the leverage to accomplish your smaller goals, which come together as your overall goal, without losing sight of the big picture.

Another dominant factor in the goal setting process is staying consistent. Everyday work toward the goal no matter how insignificant the progress might seem. Remember, that even a baby step is a step in the right direction: a step toward success.

The ability to set goals and consistently achieve them is a skill you will practice your entire life. This guide, or mindset, to goal setting has drastically changed my personal success. Once you start living through this new perspective the opportunities are endless. It decreases unfinished goals and encourages you to set the bar higher.

Pearson Students: What goal are you working to right now? What steps are you going to take to achieve it? Please share with the Pearson Student community by commenting on this blog!

(Part 1 of a three part series)

A mentorship can be a tricky thing to find, but once found it can become an incredibly fulfilling relationship. It takes time, planning and commitment to really get to know someone, and a mentor is no different. The transition between 2 year to a 4 year college, or to a career after graduation can sometimes present challenges and uncertainties that seems overwhelming!

Mentors can provide vital career support and academic guidance, and often become lifelong friends. Here are my tips for finding a mentor.

Assess what you want from the mentorship.

What type of skills you are hoping to gain? What can you can bring to the table? Although mentorships are thought of as one person mentoring the other, the reality is that a mentee should also be looking to help their mentor.

Look around.

There are potential mentors everywhere! Mentorship can be found through work, internships and volunteer experiences. Some programs, such as Pearson Scholars, help students by pairing them with a mentor to guide them through the transfer process. These connections can be formed nationwide, and can connect through video chats –  so don’t be afraid to look afar (or online!).

Mentors are a valuable part of getting experience and expertise needed to succeed in academics or careers. Just be sure to have an open mind about what a mentor could be, think about what you want to gain (and give!) as part of the mentorship relationship – and don’t be intimidated to step outside of your comfort zone!

Do you have a mentor in your life? How did you get connected with that individual? Share with the Pearson Students community by commenting below!