Reaching for the Stars, One Degree at a Time

Hello!

As I conclude my Master's program, I'm reminded of how incredible these last two years have been and how incredible grateful I am for opportunities that came my way. A goal I once thought unattainable is now becoming a close reality. I just completed the first draft of my Exit Paper, which allowed me to reflect on my journey from two years ago, almost to this exact date. So much has changed since then, and even more since I completed my Bachelor's degree. This is the true outcome of being my own biggest supporter, believing that I can achieve anything I put effort into. I want to share this part of my story, from where I was when I finished my undergraduate degree, through a bit of life afterward, to reaching this moment of wrapping up my internship.

August 2011 - May 2016

Growing up in a large family, education was always the cornerstone my dad emphasized for my siblings and me, especially since he has spent his entire career as an educator. He strongly believed that education was the key to our success and potential. Sounds inspiring and supportive, right? The only challenge was that being Hmong meant facing high expectations, with no room for failure, always expected to strive for perfection, and figuring things out on our own.

While my overall college experience was incredible, I also faced numerous personal challenges at home that impacted my mindset during my studies (which I can elaborate on in a future post). Ultimately, I decided early on not to pursue a Master's degree, questioning myself, "what's the point?" This led to a lack of effort in my classes, and I was content with passing with C's and B's because "C's get degrees!" It wasn't until my final year, while sitting in a class, that I realized I might want to pursue a Master's degree. Whatever inspired me that year, I put in significant effort and achieved nearly all A's. By the time I graduated, my GPA was around 2.89 (possibly lower). This was disheartening because, my goal was to pursue my master's degree at my same school, CSU Stanislaus, which required at least a 3.0. Although the GPA requirements have slightly changed now, in 2016, it was a 3.0. I accepted this and set the idea on the backburner.

August 2015 - June 2020

I was employed at Panda Express from 2015 to 2020. I won't delve deeply into my experiences in this post, but it was both traumatizing and enlightening in the best and worst ways possible. Ultimately, I assure you, I have no regrets about working there. The incredible people I encountered, the friendships I formed, and the skills I acquired have all contributed to making me a more confident version of myself today. Over the last three years of working here, I considered returning to school for a Master's Degree, specifically an MBA. I researched various programs, gathered information, and discussed the idea with my supervisor. Balancing work and school seemed overwhelming due to my demanding role. In my final year, my team suggested I would excel as a counselor because of the strong connections I formed and the guidance I offered, (especially since 90% of them were all high school and college-aged workers.) It was a new idea for me for sure. Then I recall my supervisor (a different one from the first) asking our team what we would do if we weren't at Panda Express. I truthfully said, "I don't know," and she responded, "I could see you as a counselor at a school." That was an eye opening moment for me to explore the possibility further. I started to explore school counseling programs and gravitated towards Brandman University (later called UMASS Global) and decided it was worth looking into. I ultimately decided not to enroll because, honestly, I was scared of loans and my life would be changing drastically during this time as I was getting married, uprooting my life to a new city, and COVID was just starting.

September 2020 - March 2023

I had the privilege of working at a remarkable non-profit organization in North Sacramento called "Hmong Youths and Parents United." There, I applied my skills to manage programs, staff, and projects. I gained extensive knowledge about non-profit work, networking with other organizations, and building programs from scratch. I also encountered many educated staff members who aspired to pursue their master's degrees, which reignited my interest to further my own education. Being in such a supportive environment and witnessing their dedication truly encouraged me to consider this path. I started exploring this idea more in January 2023 and contacted UMASS for further details. They responded quickly and provided all the information I required. On a whim, in March 2023, I submitted my application and wrote my autobiographical essay all in one day (which had awful grammar, by the way, since I didn't proofread it). I realized that if I didn't just sit down and submit my application for the master's program, I would never get around to it. About two weeks later, I received my admission letter and was amazed that I would be starting in the Fall later that year.

August 2023 - Present

I meticulously planned and organized everything necessary for my program and even secured a new job at a school to reintroduce myself to the educational environment. From March to July, my husband and I were trying to conceive, but I decided that if I wasn't pregnant by July, I would postpone it until after completing my program. The universe, with its unexpected gifts, surprised me when I discovered I was pregnant in September 2023. It was a blessing that filled me with excitement and fear, and honestly, I felt a bit anxious. How would I manage pregnancy and a newborn while completing my master's program? So far, everything is going well, and my husband and I are making it work. They are what motivate me to keep on going and to build a fulfilling life for our family. As I conclude my program, I can hardly believe I've reached this point. Despite all the challenges, starting a family, and my self-doubt, I managed to overcome everything and walk across that stage. The person I was in 2016 wouldn't recognize who I am today if she knew what I was capable of. My past work experiences have truly shaped who I am now and have equipped me with the skills needed to be a better counselor. Without the experiences I gained there, I wouldn't be who I am today. Finding solutions, making things work, and believing in myself, has carved a new path for me to explore and succeed in.

My Master's degree wasn't just a career shift – it was a personal triumph. It was about conquering self-doubt, reclaiming a dream I'd put on hold for ten years, and proving to myself that I'm capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. It was a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, fueling me to pursue a passion I thought was beyond my reach. I want to express that numerous possibilities can present themselves as turning points in our lives. While opportunities aren't always assured, possibilities are available to us. Never feel like you are "too old" to achieve something. I felt like this too when I decided to go back to school. We are all on our own journey and have different stops to make along the way at our own pace. Do what feels right and familiarize yourself with your potential. Looking into what our lives might become if we chase some of the dreams and hopes we've set aside can often lead to some of the best choices we ever make. Even if they don't turn out as we envisioned, remember that it's perfectly fine.

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Michael Scott

P.S. I know it wasn't Michael Scott who said that quote up there, but we love a good Office moment.