My journey toward a career in psychology has not been a straight line; it has been a steep climb built on the foundation of sheer will. As a minority single mother pursuing my Bachelor of Arts, I am operating in a vacuum, devoid of the "village" that society often claims is necessary to raise a child or sustain a degree. In my household, there is no safety net—no grandparents to step in when a deadline looms, and no secondary income to soften the blow of an unexpected bill. Every success we have celebrated has been earned through a solitary, high-stakes negotiation with time and resources. This journey is defined by the unique pressure of knowing that I am the sole architect of our survival and our future.
The challenges of this path are often invisible. Beyond the rigorous academic load of a Psychology major, there is a profound mental exhaustion that comes from being the only emotional and financial anchor for a fifteen-year-old. My daughter is at a pivotal age where she sees the world with startling clarity; she doesn't just see me studying; she sees the grit it takes to do it when the tank is empty. The "role strain" is real. I might spend eight hours analyzing complex theories of human behavior and systemic barriers in a textbook, only to close my laptop and immediately have to navigate those same barriers as a woman of color head-of-household. There are nights when my brain is fried from research, yet I must find the emotional bandwidth to mentor my daughter through the complexities of her own world. Without a family support system to lean on, the stakes of every exam and every dollar spent on tuition feel immensely heavy.
However, within these challenges lies a deep sense of fulfillment. There is a transformative power in the shared desk we occupy. My daughter and I are both students; while I am drafting a summative project, she is across from me tackling high school. Seeing her mirror my discipline is the most rewarding aspect of this journey. I am not just teaching her about psychology; I am giving her a masterclass in self-reliance. The fulfillment comes from the realization that I am breaking a cycle. I am showing her that her mother didn’t just survive difficult circumstances—she sought to master them. Every "A" on my transcript is a shared victory that reinforces the idea that our current struggles do not define our eventual destination.
Looking forward, I see my education as the cornerstone of a legacy that will uplift my family and my community. My goal is to obtain my Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and open a professional facility that prioritizes those who have had to navigate life without a built-in support system. I want to specialize in the intersection of cultural identity and mental health, providing a sanctuary for those who have spent their lives being "strong" for everyone else. By pursuing this doctorate, I am ensuring that my daughter’s future is defined by the opportunities I am creating today. I want her to remember this time as the era we built our own foundation out of academic pursuit and mutual respect. This scholarship is the bridge that allows me to transition from a state of survival to a state of mastery, ensuring that when I walk across that stage, I am not just a statistic of struggle, but a testament to the power of a woman who decided to build her own village.
As a single mother, pursuing my education has been filled with sacrifice, uncertainty, perseverance, and faith. I became a mother to my daughter at the age of 24, and from the moment I learned I was pregnant, I knew I needed to build a stable future for both of us. Although culinary school was not my passion, it was a program I could complete in eighteen months that would provide financial stability. I attended school each morning from 7:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m., then worked from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Despite the many challenges including pregnancy sickness, childcare struggles, and even a time when I did not have stable housing, I pressed on and kept faith.
I eventually completed my Associate’s degree in Occupational Science and secured a decent-paying job. For a while, life felt stable and my daughter was thriving. However, when I became pregnant with my son three years later, I realized my current career was not enough to support two children. I decided to pursue healthcare, which had always interested me. I returned to school and earned my certification as a nurse technician. While I loved the work and caring for people, the pay was still not enough to fully support my growing family.
During this time, a friend who worked for General Motors told me they were hiring in Tennessee. The opportunity offered higher pay but required relocating to a state where I had no family or support system. This was the most difficult decision I had ever faced. I applied and three days later I was offered the job. With little time to decide, I took a leap of faith and moved to Tennessee. My friend allowed me to stay with them while I got established.
While working at General Motors, I learned the company offered educational assistance for permanent employees. This gave me hope that I could eventually pursue nursing school. I worked long hours for four years hoping to reach that opportunity. Unfortunately, shortly after I became a permanent employee, the company laid us off.
During the layoff period, the COVID-19 pandemic began and hospitals faced severe staffing shortages. I decided to become certified as a phlebotomist and accepted a hospital position. Although the starting pay was a large decrease from $23 per hour to $12.50, I accepted the position. Within two months my pay increased to $18.75 due to the demand for healthcare workers. When General Motors later called employees back, I chose to remain at the hospital.
That decision became one of the most meaningful steps in my journey. For the past five years I have continued working at the hospital while pursuing my nursing degree. I attend school during the week and work weekends. Along the way I have faced many challenges including housing issues, car troubles, childcare struggles, and the financial strain of supporting my children’s sports and activities. Despite these difficulties, I keep pushing toward my goal.
The most fulfilling part of this journey has been working with patients. Sometimes the most meaningful thing I can offer is reassurance and simply listening. Being able to comfort someone and let them know they are not alone reminds me why I chose healthcare.
Today, I am two years away from completing my nursing degree. Continuing my education will allow me to expand my ability to care for others while creating greater stability for my family. My goal is to grow professionally but also to show my children the power of perseverance. Through nursing, I hope to uplift my family while making a lasting difference in the lives of others.
