LaTasha Sames

 LaTasha Returned to College as a Single Mom

A very brief audio:

Related posts: Kay Miller Horne returned to College, Baby Steps Back to College, A Bite of Soul Food

The following is an interview with LaTasha that might inspire you. Feel free to share with others.

1. What was your means of income before you returned to college?

I am and have been employed with the City of Beaumont’s Engineering Department and also Beall’s Department Store part time.

2. Can you recall the first trigger or event that caused you to think about returning to college? Please share.

What triggered me to return to school was being overlooked for promotion on the job. The boss thought I couldn’t do the job, even though I had passed all tests required and landed in the top five out of seventy people that applied for the job!! So that really “inspired” me.

3. What is the degree or certification you earned or that you are working towards?

I will earn an associate’s degree in Office Technology Administration.

4. How will/did earning this degree or certificate change your life?

I’m praying that once I earn my degree I will receive a promotion and receive a pay increase.

5. How will or did it also change the lives of your children?

I will be able to provide a better life for them by hopefully earning more money.

6. How did you manage to pay for the tuition, books, etc.?

I qualified for financial aid.

7. How long was the process for you from beginning to end?

I received a degree certification in 2005 in Office Technology Administration, so I only had ten classes left to finish, which is two full semesters and one summer session.

8. What keeps you going when the going gets rough?

A lot of prayer and also knowing that there is a light at the end of tunnel and it will soon be over.

9. What suggestions do you have for other single moms thinking of returning to college?

Go for it and stay focused until you finish!!

10. Give a description of your life before and after this endeavor.

Going back to school as a single parent makes you become focused on your schoolwork because you realize that it’s important to receive an education to have a better way of life. And your going to school to make a better way in life for you and your children.  The unimportant thing I was focused on was worrying instead of trusting and believing in God.

Now, I am focused and I will earn more money when I earn my degree.

I am a Certified Professional Coach and I hold a degree from Lamar University in Speech and a Master’s from the University of Texas. I married Sam after raising three children as a single mother. I was an educator in regular and special education for twenty years, finishing my professional career as a Braille teacher. In 2007 I founded SMORE for Women. SMORE is a nonprofit association whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, and Empowered.

My stories have been published in several Christian books and magazines. My Website.