"Just the girl at Dunkin' Donuts"
Going into the job market and obtaining a job is tough, especially in the year 2017 and sometimes you have to start from the bottom in order to reach your goals and be where you want to be, but right now I'm "just the girl at Dunkin' Donuts".
At the age of 14, I made the decision on my own to give up a "normal high school experience" in order to attend an early college high school. I was so determined to get into this high school and gave my heart and soul into the entire application process knowing that I had a 1 in 100 chance of being one of the lucky ones to be accepted.
The day I received a letter in mail from the school was a happy day which quickly turned into sadness. I wasn't accepted, yet I kept my faith up and hoped that before the end of summer break I would receive an acceptance letter, and to my astonishment I did!
This school was TOUGH! Starting out my freshman year I was automatically put in all honors high school classes as well as college courses, which I took with adults on a real college campus. My days consisted of going to school at 6:30am, coming home at 5:30pm, doing homework, eating dinner, then going back to doing homework, then going to bed to repeat the process all over again the next morning. I had absolutely no social life and even lost touch with my friends from my home high school. I didn't even go out with my family as much because I was always so focused on my studies. There were even times when things became so tough that I questioned if I chose the right path. I even questioned if I was made to endure what this school had to offer. But then I remembered why I applied. I wanted to obtain not only my HS diploma by the time I graduated high school, but also a college degree. I wanted a new experience that I could take with me and share with my kids. I wanted to take a different route than any one else in my family had taken before. I wanted to be successful.
By my Junior year I was in one honors high school class and all the rest of my classes were college courses. I was a 4.0 GPA student and felt unstoppable, but then reality hit. My grandma became sick in my fall semester (November) and I took on the responsibility of taking care of her. Every day after school I would go to her house, make her dinner, give her breathing treatments as well as medication, and I'd even stop studying or working on school work to help her to the bathroom and get her what she needed. I also had the responsibility of putting her to bed. This continued on through December, January, and mid way through February when she passed away. That same month that my grandma passed away, my mom lost her job and my dad was admitted into the hospital for diverticulitis. He had a successful surgery and things seemed to be going well, until late March when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. For the next year, my dad was in and out of the hospital constantly, staying admitted for days at a time due to several surgeries. He even underwent a surgery to remove his bladder which, due to his sleep apnea, had some complications and almost killed him. At this point life seemed to be crashing down around me, but I kept my head up and didn't let the things going on in my personal life keep me from perusing my goals and by May of 2017, I graduated with my HS diploma (May 20) and my college degree (May 12).
I am now on a journey to my new goal of becoming a veterinary technician and I won't let anything get in my way; However to many people who see me at work I am "just the girl at Dunkin' Donuts".
I am really impressed with your dedication to getting the education you wanted. But, I'm sorry to hear about your family health issues and then to be the donut girl. You deserve better. However, as you know, the job market is really tough. I'm trying to help my 18 year old high school graduate grandson in his search for a job. There are many opportunities in our area for entry level, no experience. He's ok with entry level and to work on moving up within a company over the forthcoming years. I wish he would be as motivated as you are to get into a career. I have hear many people say that even with advanced degrees, the job market is tough. Good luck to you in your career pursuit.
Nikki L.You brought tears to my eyes.You are an ambitious young lady.Don't stop at at Vet Tec.Go all the way to become a Doctor in Veterinary medicine.I started out at 14 years old as a Candy Striper.It took awhile to get through college.However,many strangers were supportive of me and my son..Proud to say I'm a pediatric special needs nurse.KEEP UP THE AWESOME PATH YOU'RE ON!
Thats awesome.
Nikki. Congratulations are your success. You are a force to be reckoned with. With all that you have accomplished so far do you really care what people see you as? Plus there is nothing wrong with being "just the girl at Dunkin Donuts." Everyone had got to start somewhere. God luck. I know you'll go far.
R u sad to be thought of as such? I hope u dont think that is how others think of u cuz u might have a low perception of yourself.??? At times that's the case. Being that girl isn't so bad when u r hardworking, honest, and u have goals! Status and credentials are nothing without genuine authenticity! Dont allow anyone to steal your joy! Not even yourself! Blessings!
Being a janitor, I get this all the time. Once I started this job I quickly learned how to judge people's character by how they react to me when I'm working. If they treat me like a piece of the scenery or some mindless robot, then I don't have time for them or their opinions. If someone takes time to acknowledge me, whether it be by a smile, nod, saying hello or engaging in conversation, I'll make an effort to be friendly in return. I'm really sorry to hear about your circumstances. It seems like life really threw a lot at you all at once. One thing I can see clearly however, is your spunk, intelligence and drive. That combo is going to get you far. Despite all your troubles, the good news is that you're still young enough to achieve your goals and leave Dunkin's behind for good. In the meantime, don't let asshole customers get you down. You've achieved too much against too many odds to worry yourself with the opinions of strangers. All the best.
You seem too concerned with what ppl think. You ARE just the girl at Dunkin Donuts until you aren't anymore. Nobody's going home worrying about what you are doing with your life, and if they are, why do you care? The rule is to humble yourself, and go after your goals like you are doing. You aren't the only one preparing for a new life, and some of us started off cleaning toilets and changing soiled briefs. Keep up the good work.