I’m a student at South Puget Sound Community College, and I’ve been working as a security guard at a warehouse in Lacey for about two and a half years. I live with my best friend and his girlfriend, and when I’m not at work or school, I spend a lot of time reading or thinking about politics — probably more than I should.
I chose community college because it was affordable and felt like the best fit for where I am in life right now. I’d like to work for the state someday. I’m not exactly sure in what role yet, but having a steady job with benefits sounds like a solid path forward. Higher education matters to me because it opens your mind. You learn things you wouldn’t have otherwise, meet people from all kinds of backgrounds, and start to see the world differently. Plus, getting a degree shows employers that you’re willing to put in the work — that you can commit and follow through.
But college definitely isn’t affordable. I work almost full-time just to pay rent, and even then, I can’t afford to be a full-time student. I’m paying for classes out of pocket, which means taking fewer each quarter and stretching out the time it takes to finish my degree. I couldn’t pay for a university even if I wanted to. Right now, I’m just trying to finish my associate’s degree, and even that’s hard to manage financially.
If the first two years of community college were guaranteed and cost-free, it would change everything. I could take more classes, graduate faster, and focus on learning instead of worrying about how I’m going to pay for the next quarter. Honestly, if I could afford it, I’d still live with my parents and just go to school full-time. That would make everything a lot simpler.
Students today need all the support they can get — housing, food, transportation, and even childcare for some. The economy makes it tough for anyone to stay on top of everything, especially while going to school. I know about the support services and benefit hubs that my college offers, but I haven’t used them myself. Part of it is that I always feel like there are other students who probably need them more. Still, I know that expanding these kinds of services would make a real difference for a lot of people.
I’m doing my best to balance work, school, and life. It’s not easy, but I keep at it because I believe higher education is worth it — not just for the career it might lead to, but for the personal growth and stability it brings. Having the chance to learn, connect, and move forward shouldn’t be something that depends on how much money you have.