“I never expected to be going back to school in my 30’s, let alone being in a program that wasn’t even offered when I graduated in 2010. Though I guess that’s all due to how my life took a dramatic turn in 2019, the year that my place of employment shut down and I had to make a choice: either  stay up north and find a new place to work or take my chances  (and encouragement from my friends) and move down south. I chose the latter.

While starting out was difficult, and I just couldn’t find my place quite yet, I was given an opportunity that I doubt anyone would refuse. Go back to school and earn a degree, with next to no cost. I am part of the Displaced Worker Trade Readjustment Act. When my aforementioned place of employment shut down, we were given basic training and classes to help us find jobs that had similar responsibilities and were of an equal quality. However, since I decided to take a chance to relocate and sadly not get into a similar position within a year, I had the chance to learn a trade or go for a degree to help me get into a better position.

Thus, how I began attending Lakeland University, and studying in the Graphic Design program. Graphic Design was always something that interested me, but I just didn’t have the means, nor was it a readily available course from where I was from. So, when presented the chance to even go for a degree I couldn’t say no. Had I not taken the chance back in 2019, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today.” – Sam