Advanced Welding & Business Management

First-Generation Student

I was working for a small drilling company and ended up injuring my back and was stuck. The only jobs I have ever worked were demanding and most jobs said I was too qualified. That’s when I heard about WV WORKS, got in touch, and set on this new journey at this wonderful school. I’m so thankful for the ability to attend this wonderful establishment and the wonderful staff and the best two teachers there, Joe [Filchock - Energy Programs Interim Program Coordinator & Instructor] and Jack [Lowe - Advanced Welding Program Coordinator & Instructor]. 

It has connected me with amazing supportive individuals from Ms. Jama at school helping with all school and DoHS needs to the wonderful ladies Misty and Jill (at SPOKES) for helping me prep for this journey in life and Jessica (caseworker) at DoHS for making sure I have what I need for school.

After graduation, I plan to make a complete career change and I’m excited for a new path in life.

Paralegal Studies

I chose Pierpont because they are family-based and understand that bettering myself is important to me, but they can also accommodate my family life.

WV WORKS has provided me with the right equipment and given me so much support and guidance throughout my journey.

My daughter motivated me to further my education, and Pierpont showed me it is possible to do so.

After I graduate, I hope to find a career in a law office.

Paralegal Studies

First-Generation Student

I chose to attend Pierpont not only for its optimal location to my residence, but also because of the support and values they offered and greeted each student with when touring. Pierpont really makes you feel like you are at home, and they let you know that whatever they can do to help you in any situation they will.

I originally went on WV Works in 2017. At that time, I did not have my high school diploma or GED. I left home when I was 17. I dropped out of school at 18 in my senior year. After having two kids I realized that I did not want them growing up to see their mother not achieving anything in life. So, I pursued the steps that I needed to, to take my GED. In the year of 2018, I finally did it and was so proud of myself. I worked for years as a CNA. I loved the job, but with arising health issues I was unable to perform the task to the quality that the residents deserved. So, I wanted another career path where I could still be able to help people. During WV Works we discussed the possibility of me going to college. I never had college in mind for my future, but then it became another opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and get education in another field. I met with Nancy Parks at the Gaston Caperton Center. We talked through all the studies that I could possibly go into, if online or in person classes would fit into my current daily schedule, what some of my strengths as well as weakness are, and how she and Pierpont could be more of some help to me in reaching my educational success. My kids are my driving motivation to never stop trying to better myself. Pierpont is like my second family. They truly care about the success of their students while also offering so many options and help over obstacles to help that student along their educational path. 

The WV WORKS program set me up with attendance in SPOKES. Here is where I not only got to learn valuable skills to transfer over into the workplace but also build dreams of a better tomorrow. They helped me to figure out what career I would excel in and helped me set out a plan of action to do so. Offering help to set up and complete FAFSA, reaching out to Pierpont to tour the college, helping me obtain a laptop for my online classes, and childcare. WV WORKS Program really helps you get back on your feet again and build a better future for your family.

After graduation I would love to stick with the education path that I am on and obtain a job as a paralegal in Family law. I have dreams from there to eventually go as far in that career as I can, whether that be more schooling, or maybe even becoming a lawyer one day.

Business Management & Fashion Marketing and Merchandising

First-Generation Student

In December I left Germany and came to West Virginia with big plans and dreams. I never had the opportunity growing up to attend high school and being a young mother, I most definitely never had the chance to go off to college. No matter how old I got, and my life evolved, I never stopped wondering about what it would have been like if I had gone. My life situation, especially financially, would have been more secure and I would had been able to independently provide for my children, offering them a better lifestyle and future. So, one day I decided to stop wondering about it and to finally do what I had always wanted to do.  

Upon arrival here, I was looking for a place I could attend. Being that I came with only what we could carry, and I did not have a job, our income was bare to none. I knew a four-year college would be out of the question and I needed a way to not just be able to afford to pursue my dreams, but it also needed it to allow me to be a single full-time mom as well. While searching online I came across Pierpont for the first time. Later again while applying at the DoHS and then it constantly kept reappearing when I start the SPOKES program. I went on a tour with Nancy Parks and was excited about the possibilities I could already feel just walking up and down its hallways.

I went home and did more research and set my mind to it and started taking the steps to apply for grants and classes. Through this experience I was introduced to Jama who has also been a key person, wonderful help, and sincere support not only before the process, but even now during it.

It feels like everyone is involved when it comes to getting you on the right track. You have the feeling that you are not just one in the hundreds of people that are also applying. You are an individual and their job is not just to get you enrolled but make sure you are taken care of and supported.

I am very excited about the upcoming year! The instructors, online and in-person, have been very caring and wonderful as well. Every one of them truly wants and strives for each individual student to get the most and the best out of their experience while attending Pierpont.  I feel very privileged to be a part of something as special as this.

After graduation, I plan on pursuing a career within the majors I have taken in design/business. This is a rather wide spectrum, so I am excited to see which opportunities will be available.

Medical Laboratory Technology

First-Generation Student

I am a mother and caregiver, and this is not my first time attending college. The first time I went to school, I believed in myself, and my grades reflected that—I made the Dean’s List! I created study groups and organized lunch dates to connect with others. I reached out for help when needed and offered assistance to those around me. For the first time in my academic career, I felt confident in the knowledge I had gained, proving to myself that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

However, during my second year, in my final semester, I became pregnant. Despite the unexpected shift in my life, I made the conscious decision to finish my AAS degree in Allied Health Science and obtain my certification as a Medical Laboratory Assistant. This was not the plan, but I took personal responsibility for my educational goals while also embracing my role as a parent. Juggling life’s challenges and returning to school was no easy feat, but I pushed through.

After working at the hospital for several years, I realized that my degree was becoming outdated. Anyone could become a Laboratory Assistant after only a few weeks of training at their facility, without the need to recertify each year. My dream job as a Medical Laboratory Technologist also required more education than I had—two years of study, not the four years I needed. However, my journey as a mother has become a powerful motivator for my aspiration to become a medical laboratory technologist.

When my daughter was diagnosed with autism, it opened my eyes to the importance of proper diagnosis and support in the medical field. This experience has fueled my desire to make a positive impact. It has also deepened my empathy and understanding as a future healthcare professional, allowing me to connect with patients and their families on a more profound level.

Working at the hospital as a phlebotomist, I gained a greater understanding of parents' concerns and patients who needed medical clarity. I was that parent. This experience has helped me refine my passion for medical sciences and my commitment to public health. Raising a nonverbal child has given me a unique edge, not only in laboratory settings but also in coursework like biology and chemistry, both of which have prepared me for a career as a Medical Laboratory Technologist.

I plan to carry the challenges of parenthood into my professional life and use them to fuel my success in the medical field. My personal journey has given me a unique perspective, one that will shape me into an elite Medical Laboratory Technologist, especially in diagnostics. I will use the lessons learned from my life experiences to drive my academic and career aspirations forward. And I won’t stop there—I aim to go beyond Medical Laboratory Technologist/Scientist and reach even greater heights in my career.

Medical Billing and Coding

I chose Pierpont because it was close to home, my friends already attended, and I liked the feeling of family and community it had. Everyone was super welcoming.

As a single mother of three, I knew I needed a career. Misty and Jill at SPOKES helped to get me to the level I needed to be at so I could attend Pierpont. They are still mentors for me. They encouraged me and provided me with some tough love when I needed it. I became friends with a few students that already attended Pierpont and after they shared their stories, I decided to attend myself. Everyone has been so helpful. I am proud to be a part of this community and thankful for this opportunity.

The WV Works program has helped me tremendously. They have provided me with a laptop to do all my schoolwork. If I need anything at any time, I can call my WV WORKS on campus advisor or my DoHS case worker, both have been helpful at every turn. I am currently attending for a certificate in Medical Billing and Coding. This will create a career for me. After graduation I will be applying to work at all the local hospitals, although WVU would be my first pick.

Medical Laboratory Technology

First-Generation Student

I chose to attend Pierpont because it’s a great college with a wide variety of programs in my field. From the moment I got started, every staff member I’ve met has been super nice and always supportive. That support made a big difference in my decision to enroll.

The WV WORKS Program has helped me more in the past two months than I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. They helped me get into school, provided the resources I needed, and made it possible for me to earn multiple certifications—opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

After I graduate, I plan to pursue a career in the field I’ve studied. I also hope to continue my education and keep moving forward.

I’ve always wanted to continue my education, but I never had the opportunity or the time. I was raising my son on my own and didn’t have reliable transportation. Now, with the support and resources I’ve gained, I finally have what I need to pursue my degree. My biggest motivation is my family—especially my son. I want to show him that hard work and dedication to your goals, especially education, is the key to a successful future.

A Word from Her Son:

“I am so proud of my mom. I want her to go to school—she deserves it. She is the best mom in the world.”