UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — One student’s determined pursuit of a Penn State degree — the end of a journey that carried him from Pennsylvania to Texas; from jobs working in construction, waiting tables and driving for a car service, often while taking classes; serving as a surrogate father; and balancing his own marriage — concludes during University commencement exercises Dec. 18 at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Austin Boley, 28, admits he was not ready for college when he graduated from high school in 2011, and when an initial stint at a community college did not go well, he was ready for something different.
“I just didn’t really have any direction,” he said. “I thought it was a good time to try something different.”
Something different was a construction job. So, in 2015, he and his girlfriend, Devin, moved from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Lewisville, Texas. They took his 6-year-old nephew with them as well, hoping to provide some stability for a family member who needed support.
Texas was tough, though. Long hours on the construction site as well as work-related conversations and social interactions even once the 60- and 70-hour work weeks ended took a toll.
“It was hard, really, really hard — 1,500 miles away from home and raising my nephew on top of that,” Boley said. “I’ve never experienced anything as challenging in my life.”
Again, he was ready to try something different and a heartfelt, honest conversation helped chart a path back to a route he always wanted to follow.
“For the longest time in my life I would start something, but I could never finish. I can’t tell you why. I’ve always liked my jobs and things, but something was a little off,” Boley said. “I felt lost.”
He found himself, and a path forward, eventually leading to Penn State, during a discussion with Devin at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Orlando, Florida. As a family vacation was winding down, and he was dreading a return to Texas, she asked what he really wanted to do. What would be his dream job?
He quickly replied “sports broadcasting,” with the qualifier it was unlikely, “a pipe dream.”
"degree" - Google News
December 14, 2021 at 05:03AM
https://ift.tt/322vZsX
Determined, persistent student finishes pursuit of bachelor's degree - Penn State News
"degree" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2zPqEHn
https://ift.tt/2WkjZfX
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Determined, persistent student finishes pursuit of bachelor's degree - Penn State News"
Post a Comment