As a working mom who pursued her education while also working full-time, my mother inspired me with her example when I was in junior high. Before Zoom and online study were possible, she watched courses checked out of the university library at our home. Now, years later, her journey is in mind and continues to inspire me in my current path as a graduate student, and full-time working mom. My story to this point has brought me to being a Product Designer, and I got to where I am today by overcoming obstacles and embracing other professional experiences along the way. After I finished my undergraduate program at the University of Cincinnati, it took me a year to find a job in my major, Visual Communication Design. I faced obstacles to establishing a professional Design career because I was limited to local roles in Ohio, in order to stay in place geographically with my husband. During that period of waiting and applying to Design agencies, I was grateful to accept a position working in the Housewares department of Kaufmann's department store (now Macy's), where I assisted customers, stocked shelves, and helped couples plan their bridal registries. In that role, I learned how to demonstrate poise in challenging situations, provide excellent customer service, work the technical skills like operating the register, and other foundations of a retail career. I learned about seasonal sales cycles, marketing and promotions, and the importance of merchandising. I also dreamed of stocking my own kitchen someday with all the wonderful products we had to offer! I eventually did find a position in my major, and left my stepping stone retail career to start a career as a Designer. Now that I am in my 40s, I am fortunate to be able to return to graduate study, another dream from my undergraduate days. I am motivated to pursue a graduate program because a formal program of study will amplify my career. My career objective is advancement in a User Experience Designer or User Research role, with a dream of achieving a role at a global technology company like Google or Microsoft. Classes like Interaction Design Practice are supporting my quest for graduate-level knowledge as I seek to build out a full range of research and design techniques. The department of Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Indiana also offers cutting-edge courses like Conversational User Interfaces, with compelling opportunities to consider new design solutions like voice controls. As I seek to improve myself through education, I continually think of my earlier retail career experiences as well as my mom's example of perseverance as I pursue a Masters degree while working. In turn, I hope to inspire my own daughter as she observes me succeeding in both work and in my graduate studies.