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After 16 years away from the classroom, Aerin Emilee Miller decided to go back to school to make a career change. She graduated as valedictorian.
Aerin Emillee Miller had been working in Chicago’s service industry for over a decade before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. That’s when she decided to go back to school to make a career change.
Aerin was apprehensive because it had been 16 years since she was last in the classroom, but she rose to the challenge. She worked full-time while pursuing her associate degree in science. As a lover of wildlife and avid bird watcher, it proved to be the perfect area of study for her.
“[City Colleges] restored my faith in my own abilities, and it reopened the doors for futures that I didn’t think were accessible anymore,” Aerin said.
Having graduated from Harold Washington as valedictorian, Aerin hopes to pursue her bachelor’s degree in biology and eventually earn a master’s degree in environmental ecology.
At 15, I never imagined I’d one day work in the automotive industry. Back in middle school, I told everyone on career day that I wanted to design cars, which sparked my interest in engineering—but the cost of college made that dream feel out of reach.
When Kenneth Balcarcel moved to the United States from Guatemala, he faced the daunting challenge of learning a new language while navigating life in a new country.
For more than 25 years, Jocelyn Sanders built a successful career as a salon owner and licensed cosmetologist. But deep down, there were still goals she wanted to complete, like going back to school.
After my time in the military, I decided to enroll at Wilbur Wright College. I saw it as an opportunity for a fresh start. I was determined to take full advantage of every resource available to me. I learned how to study and take notes, I met with my advisors, I networked with my peers, and I was enjoying all my classes. One day, one of my professors took notice of my hard work and dedication and asked me a simple question that changed the entire trajectory of my life: “How are you paying for college?”
