This story was written by Ruth, a College Possible Omaha student.
In 2009, my family immigrated to the United States from Thailand, hoping for a better life. We initially settled in New Jersey, where I spent nine years. During those early years, I was enrolled in ESL classes to improve my English. Even after improving my language skills, I remained shy and hesitant to ask for help when I needed it.
In 2018, we moved to Omaha, and I started my sophomore year at Benson High School. I had always admired nurses, so discovering Benson’s learning academies, including health professions, was exciting. I knew that excelling in the health professions academy required maintaining a strong GPA and seizing opportunities, which led me to join College Possible in my junior year.
During high school, College Possible was great, particularly in helping me prepare for the ACT, filing the FAFSA, and finding scholarships. They provided the guidance and resources I needed to transition into college successfully. As a first-generation student, I was grateful for my coach’s assistance in navigating the college preparation process. Thanks to College Possible, I earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Nebraska Omaha.
I entered college as a nursing major, but my plans soon changed. After job shadowing a registered nurse and working as a CNA, I realized nursing wasn’t the right fit for me. During my first few years of college, I changed my major five times, which left me feeling uncertain and devastated. I was determined to stay in the healthcare field but struggled to find the right career path.
To explore other healthcare careers, I shadowed a radiologist. This experience exposed me to various specialties and solidified my interest in sonography. After three challenging years, I am finally transferring to Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health this fall to complete my degree. My goal is to become a travel sonographer and move to Indiana with my sister.
The unwavering support of my family and College Possible coaches kept me in school, even when my path was unclear. Although it was difficult at times, I am driven to graduate for myself and my family. To me, earning a college degree means opening doors to more opportunities. Having grown up with nothing, I am determined to seize every opportunity my education provides, making career connections, gaining experience, and expanding my knowledge. College Possible has been instrumental in helping me achieve these goals. Their constant communication and resources have been invaluable, especially as a first-generation college student. Having someone to cheer me on and keep me on track has been amazing.
This June, I completed an externship with College Possible Omaha and The Simple Foundation. Each week, I worked with different teams, assisting with tasks such as researching scholarships, creating thank-you bags for school counselors, and attending a golf tournament with the advancement team. This externship has been a valuable learning experience, allowing me to contribute to the organization that has helped me so much. Through my research, I found scholarships and resources for myself, further aiding my educational journey. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to College Possible, just as they have supported me.
