I grew up in Spanaway, Washington, in a big family of six kids — I have a twin and two younger siblings I’ve helped take care of for most of my life. Responsibility has always been a big part of who I am, and that’s part of why I’ve always wanted to build a career that gives me stability and room to grow.
I started earning college credits early through the Pierce County Skills Center, where I got hands-on vocational training in networking and operating systems. My high school counselor recommended the program, and it gave me a huge head start — by the time I graduated, I already had two years of college credit. I used those credits at Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) and worked toward my associate’s degree in IT.
My goal has always been to work in an IT department — ideally leading a team as a head of IT someday. Right now, I’m working at a Home Depot warehouse, and my hope is to eventually move into their IT department. But I had to drop out of college before finishing my degree — not because I wanted to, but because I couldn’t afford to keep going.
College just isn’t affordable, especially coming from a low-income household with five siblings. I’ve been working since I was sixteen, saving every dollar I could, but it still wasn’t enough. At first, paying for classes out of pocket didn’t seem too bad, but then came the costs of gas, car insurance, and living expenses. When I lost access to my scholarship funds because I misunderstood how they worked, everything fell apart. I took on debt just to stay enrolled for a few more quarters, but eventually the cost became impossible to manage.
If the first two years of community college were guaranteed and free, I would have finished my degree. It’s that simple. I would already be working in my field instead of starting over. I know I’m not the only one — there are so many people who have the motivation and skills, but not the financial support to finish.
Students need more than just tuition help, too. Housing, food, transportation — all of it adds up, especially in today’s economy. Expanding wraparound services would give more people the chance to focus on school instead of survival. I think it would make a big difference, especially for students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds — undocumented students, people of color, or anyone struggling with poverty. Everyone deserves a fair chance to pursue education and reach their goals.
Higher education matters because it teaches you things you can’t learn in high school — not just technical skills, but how to work with people, manage your time, and build a career. For me, college wasn’t just about getting a degree. It was about opportunity — and about proving that I could create something better for myself and my family.