Associate in Business - Austin Community College - (Winner)
Editors Note: This student story essay was selected as the second place winner to BrainTrack's Business Schools Scholarship for Fall 2010. At the time of her submittal, Cheryl Sarmiento was studying for an associate's degree in Business Administration at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas.
Wishes Had Known | Program Likes/Dislikes | Choosing Business
What do you wish you had known about selecting and entering your business school that would be helpful to others going into business?
Honestly, I wish I had known that it was possible for a divorced, 45 year-old mom with two grown children to learn and do well in an academic environment. I wish I had not questioned my ability and waited so long to get back to college. If I had just kept on going, even one class at a time during the many years that I was discouraged from doing so, I would have been so much farther ahead. I used every excuse in the book to convince myself that I was not able to. I thought I was past being useful in the business world or any situation where I would have to learn new skills and apply that knowledge.
I even experienced a horrible personal tragedy with the unexpected loss of my brother just days before I was about to re-enter college after 18 years. If ever there was an excuse to fall apart and do nothing, that was it. But knowing that he left behind two young sons and that I still have two dependent daughters has pushed me to discover that I can still accomplish whatever it is I set my mind to. So my advice would be to believe in yourself and reach for your goals, no matter what.
What have you enjoyed most and least during your business degree program so far?
I would have to say that what I have enjoyed most about my program to this point is just being able to get back into the world and spend time around people who are also trying to better themselves and attain their goals. It is so refreshing to be constantly exposed to so many different points of view.
The instructors have been great and I never cease to be impressed with the quality of instruction here at our community college. I have taken quite a few of my courses online and have had wonderful experiences while doing so. Many younger students don’t seem to appreciate the distance learning courses for some reason, but I have found them to be invaluable. Although I have taken most of my classes thus far by means of the distance learning option, I have also taken many on-site classes and have benefited greatly from them as well.
I would have to say that what I have enjoyed the least so far is the end of each semester when it’s time to part ways with the friends that I've made, not knowing if and when we'll see each other again.
What led you to choose business as a career path?
I have been interested in working in the field of accounting for many years and actually took my first financial accounting class back in the 1990-1991 school year when my daughters were still in preschool! My husband and I had started our own business and I wanted to help with all the financial aspects as well as the banking and employee paperwork. I have always appreciated the managerial side of running a business and felt right at home in this atmosphere.
Although my marriage of 22 years has ended, necessity and desire have sent me back to the pursuit of higher education. After tossing around a couple of different ideas, I returned to my first love: business and accounting.
I learned as a child that my great-grandmother had been an entrepreneur in her home town and that she had done quite well for herself. I believe learning that my Grandma Grace had done what she did back in the 1920’s and 1930’s when women had to struggle against such odds has truly inspired me to follow my dreams. If a woman of her time could go to college, then open and run her own successful businesses, there should be nothing to stop me and my even younger and more advantaged colleagues!