Meet Michael

“I want my son to see that education helps you succeed. It gives you more than a job. It gives you a future that you look forward to every day.”

-Michael

In Spring of 2017, Michael will begin classes for an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science. This was something he had once only dreamed of…until he came to Goodwill less than one year ago.

Michael began working early in his teen years due help support his family. When he got the news that he would soon be a father himself, Michael chose to drop out of high school at the end of his junior year, and go to work full time.

He worked in the restaurant business, and successfully worked his way up to a manager position. After 10 years, however, he realized his career wasn’t going where he wanted it. He was almost 30 years old, and after some soul-searching, decided he should try to continue his education. He briefly thought about getting his GED, but felt it wouldn’t help him get on the career path he really desired.

Then Michael heard about The Goodwill Excel Center charter high school, where adults 17-50 can earn their high school diploma. He immediately enrolled, and started classes in August of 2015.

Not only will Michael graduate on June 30th, 2016, he was able to pursue a lifelong passion of a career in IT when he also enrolled in the new pilot Linux programming curriculum offered through the Goodwill Career and Technical Academy and a grant through the Linux Foundation. In fact, he was one of the first three people to sign up for the course, and he’ll complete his Linux training in October 2016.

“Goodwill has opened a lot of opportunities for me, Michael remarked. “I will be more financially stable. And with the Linux training, I will be getting into an entry level IT job as a network administrator.”

Michael has continued working full time while attending school full time and admits it can be challenging, “But it’s worth it. You have to sacrifice some things to be successful.” His family agrees. They are very proud he’s getting his high school diploma, and planning on more education in the future. “Not being home a lot is difficult, but they all think it’s great and worth it,” says Michael.

Through it all, Michael says the people at The Goodwill Excel Center have sustained him. “They are not just there to educate students, they are there for you no matter what the situation. They really care. They don’t judge you. They are there to help you succeed. Especially Mr. Matt Williams. He has been an inspiration for me. But they all inspire me to go further, to try harder. The hardest part is starting…so why stop now?”

Michael concludes, “I’m not stopping. I’m going on for more education. My son, Michael, is 12 years old now. I want him to see that education helps you succeed. It gives you more than a job. It gives you a future that you look forward to every day.”