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Twenty-seven-year-old Diego Espinoza has some advice for those
who are coming back to school.
“I would say, ‘Come to school, do the best you can, but have fun
while you’re here,’” says Espinoza, whose own formal education
ended at age 16 when he moved from Texas to Georgia where he
eventually completed secondary education requirements by earning
his General Education Development (GED) certificate.
“When you do come, try to come to every single event. Get
involved with whatever you can. Make friends. But most
importantly, keep school as your number one priority. Just try
your best.”
Several ways that Espinoza, who has spent about a decade working
in the carpet industry, has become involved in school have been
through being a member of the Campus Activities Board (CAB),
working as a student aide in the Office of Student Activities,
and serving as chair of the Recreation Committee.
“I know that I work well with people,” says Espinoza, who for
many years served as a trainer for new employees at a major
carpet firm.
“When I started out in industry, I learned to run the machines
and then began training people on the line. I kept getting
promoted and began doing orientations for new employees. At one
time I was the only Hispanic manager and the youngest manager in
the company. At that time, I was ‘standing on a brick.’ I felt
good and I didn’t need a reason to go back to school.” |
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While Espinoza was able to move up the ladder without the
benefits of higher education, he began to feel, over time, that
something was missing.
“I decided to go back to school to do something different,” he
remembers. His desire for a change resulted in enrolling at
Dalton State in the summer of 2008, initially as a student in
the Summer Bridge program.
“When I came to enroll for fall semester through Enrollment
Services, someone suggested that I might want to participate in
Summer Bridge,” he recalls. “It was a very good program that‘s
not just for new freshmen. There were a number of
non-traditional students as well. By the time fall came around,
I had a core group of friends who are still my friends today.
And I felt better prepared for my classes.”
Espinoza says that his desire to come back to school had a lot
to do with setting a good example for his family, which
includes his wife, Blanca, six-year-old son Diego, and daughter
Nancy, age four.
“My dreams have been fairly traditional – marriage, kids, a home
– the ‘American dream,’” he says. Even though he has already
accomplished his primary dreams, he believes that by entering
the Registered Nursing program and pursuing a healthcare career,
he will benefit from having a secure career during the economic
decline that has been plaguing the country.
“I’m a family guy. I like spending time with my kids. I know
nursing will be a good steady job that will permit me to spend
time with my family, and I like working with people. It will
provide a stable career that pays good money.”
Espinoza says he won’t quit school after he earns his RN, which,
if all goes according to plan, will be in the spring of 2012. He
would also like to earn his Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and
a master’s degree, perhaps pursuing a career as a nurse
anesthetist.
“I like school. I know I’m not going to stop.” |
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