The below story was shared with CECU by Nicole Hessabi who is a student at West Coast University. In March, Nicole will be attending CECU’s 2018 Hill Day in Washington, D.C. to share with lawmakers the positive impact that career education has had on her life.  

​​I was ten years old when I became a United States citizen. I stood there, fervently clutching onto my souvenir, a tiny American flag. I was overwhelmed with a sense of awe. I remember feeling both amazed and bewildered at the anticipation that was so palpable in the auditorium that day. Too young to understand the gravity of the moment and oblivious to the great difficulties millions have experienced in order to stand where I stood. I was instead consumed with
enormous excitement over the fact that on this day, my mother willfully allowed me to play hooky from my fifth-grade classroom. 

Shantrell Harris is a graduate of the Day Care Management Program at Unitech Training Academy – Baton Rouge. Shantrell was hired at her externship site, Little Dreamers Christian Academy, as a teacher’s assistant with the 1-2 year old class. The owner of the day care stated that Shantrell writes wonderful lesson plans, is patient with the children, and learns new things quickly. The parents are very fond of her and her children in the class love her. Shantrell is very happy to have found work in her career of choice so quickly. The entire team at Unitech Training Academy is very proud of her as well!