It's been 14 years since I was at Linn-Benton last. There are definitely things that have changed since then, but there have also been things that have stayed the same, and it feels nostalgic. After 13 years of not being in school and being in the work force, I knew it was time that I came back to school to finish what I started.

    As someone on the Autism Spectrum (previously diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome), it was difficult getting and keeping a job, even for a full year. Granted, some of those jobs I had were seasonal, but I know I tried my best to keep a job: Two different companies that dealt in concrete work (one in precast concrete and one that poured on site), a non-emergency medical transport job that chauffeured people around from their place of residence to their doctor appointments, to the hospital for a surgery or vice versa, I helped open the now gone Salvation Army store on Lancaster Drive in Salem, OR, and I even helped out with a semi-tutoring program AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) that helps students prepare for college at the middle and high school levels for the Salem-Keizer School District. That isn't all I have done, but it goes to show I have had a wide range of experiences and knowledge gained since I was in college last. 

    Starting off 15 years ago at Linn-Benton after graduating high school, I thought I knew what I was doing; apparently, I didn't and messed up pretty bad. Then I went to Chemeketa Community College for a year, then kind of gave up on college, since I was out of my own funds and needed to earn money, so going to school again was off the table for the time being (and no, I didn't use FAFSA back then). Fast forward to now, I know what I want to get a degree in and my previous experiences and knowledge gained since then will help me with going doing a better job in managing my schoolwork.