Changing Lives

I currently work in the distance education department for a career college. We serve a demographic which is different from traditional schools. Instead of offering Associates or Bachelors degrees, we offer shorter term certificate programs. Contrary to popular belief, one does not need a traditional two or four year degree to be a middle class, or upper middle class income earner.

In fact, I'd bet money that my students will out earn many of those who have traditional degrees. Why? Because there is always a need for skilled professionals in various trades. Many of these professionals are able to open their own businesses and have superior earning power to those who are dependent upon the big, corporate machine.

When I was hired, my manager told me that we serve the "UN"-derworld. UNemployed. UNeducated. UNderachieving. I could continue, but I don't feel like getting up to find my training manual to list more. My point is that the people who I speak with are those who need a life change. Either they were laid off, or about to be laid off, or working some shitty job which barely pays a living wage.

Well, today I spoke with a woman who seemed a lot more serious about going to school than most of the people I speak with. When I reached her, I was planning on setting an appointment for tomorrow, and interviewing her then. My only reason for this plan was that I had an interview scheduled with another student just minutes later. However, I knew she was serious about getting started. In "sales-speak", it was a "lay down".

So, I took her through the process, and she agreed to start school, and get training for a new career.

Some of you are wondering, 'what's the big deal?'. Allow me to explain.

You see, this young woman buried her husband in May, after he was brutally murdered. She is a 23 or 24 year old widow, with a 3 year old son. When her husband passed, there was no insurance money. So, she's raising a 3 year old on her own. At the beginning of December, she was laid off from her job, but she had been struggling financially since her husband's death.

She told my manager that she'd recently made her mind up to kill herself. She'd reached her wits' end. She said she felt her son deserved a better life than she was able to provide, and seeing him have to suffer with her as a mom. She then said that after speaking with me, and learning how our career training program could change her life, she sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

I know it sounds ego boosting. Normally it would be. But just the fact that I talked to someone and was able to give them hope, when they had none...

I'm glad God used me for this purpose today.