My FCC Story – Monique, A Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Student
We believe every voice is significant. Each student we help is seen. Each life that walks through our doors…we see you and your remarkableness. Monique, A Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Student at FCC, shares her story.
I’m a mother of 6 adult daughters whom I’ve definitely raised to be leaders. Regretfully, I lost my son to senseless violence when he was 15 years young, which nearly destroyed me 16 years ago today. That did not happen, and that’s another story waiting to be shared. I’ve had a very good, fulfilling life thus far. I was a leader in my community; president of a housing property where I sat on the Board of Directors at the same our neighborhood Adult Learning Facility. I am a former Instructor of Adult Education. I was a Corporate Medical Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant and was in this career for quite some time. I had been quite satisfied career-wise, until I simply wasn’t anymore. I felt like I needed to grow and learn. I wasn’t satisfied with myself
One day I decided that I no longer wanted to be in the career that I had chosen for myself. I needed something different. I needed change. I needed to be happy with what I was going to do for the rest of my life. Forget making money. My children are no longer children. Mind you, this was something I had contemplated for some time now. I felt like I was being swallowed up and all my hopes and dreams could no longer be fulfilled. I’m running out of time. I’m getting too old to start over. Hmmm? Contemplating and contemplating. My choices no longer suited me and I really had a desire to just completely reinvent myself. Yes, I have many skill sets and I know I can do anything I set my mind to, but, but, but? This is the moment where all kinds of questions came into play. What, are you doing? Was I trying to talk myself out of something I knew I needed for my happiness and my solidarity? No more contemplating. It’s time to do this.
I went online and ran a search for information on HVAC careers, training, resources, etc. I submitted all of my criteria. I looked up statistics, pay rates, experience levels, pros – cons, the whole nine yards. I kept running into “No information available”. Not for the career choice, but for my specific criteria. Age, Female, Etc. “Really?” Was my response. I still didn’t give up. This momentary set back just pushed me to look further. I Googled all programs within a 30-mile radius, and still nothing. You’d think I’d give up? No. I refuse. I gathered myself, my information and proceeded. I called every school I could and finally I found one. I wasted no time and scheduled a tour. To be honest I was so excited and terrified at the same time. My appointment was in 2 hours. I simply couldn’t wait. I arrived an entire hour early and called and the woman in admissions. She was so very nice. She said come on in. I took my tour, which excited me even more. I knew this was what I wanted, and needed. My future depended on it. My fears had banished, I was in awe and completely enamored with everything that was being presented before me. This was it.
No more questions. I was completely out. What was next was the biggest decision that I had to make for myself in a long time. Where do I sign up? I didn’t how I was going to accomplish this. I just knew that I needed this investment in myself. Time, money, transportation, all of these were issues. This was still going to be my priority. All I knew was this was driving me. The force that was compelling me to get out of my comfort zone. Where there is a will there’s a way. I have the will. I know a way will be made.
“THERE IS NOTHING TO IT BUT TO DO IT.”
Needless to say, I signed all the necessary paperwork, and I’ve been attending without fail. I am here. FCC I am here. I believe in myself regardless to any support or not. I’m in my 3rd Mod in the HVAC Program and am an honor roll student. I love it! Hallelujah! I know I’m far from the end, but it’s closer than the beginning. I’m excited about my present and my future. My life has taken new direction and it all started with the desire. I live my life as an example, because you never know who’s watching. Believe me when I tell you, someone is always watching.
On my first day of school I felt as giddy as a teenager. I was nervous, but I was ready and anxious to begin this new path in my life. I didn’t know what to expect, but I walked into a very welcoming environment. My first day in class set the standard for what was to be expected of me. I know this is going to be a challenge. I face it head on. I am determined to succeed.
