What I've Learned: Jacqueline Sinkes

Jacqueline Sinkes was once a single mother living in a shelter. Now she is registered nurse at a state supported living center. She attended ACC from the summer of 2006 to December of 2009 when she earned an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing. She plans on obtaining a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

I decided to get my degree from ACC because it was cost effective and had flexible hours. The determining factor was money when I went back to school because I didn't have any. Books and fees were less expensive, and ACC had convenient locations. I didn't have a car at one point, so I was able to walk to class when I lived off Riverside. They also had an online option for the Nursing program. I was able to minimize my class time so I could be at home more with my kids. I was able to be a full-time parent as well as a full-time student.

I applied for Capital IDEA as a participant. They are a nonprofit grassroots organization that sponsors working families to get into high paying jobs or careers that pay a living wage through higher education.

Most people that come out of this program are non-traditional students that have many barriers to success.

There were several times throughout my education when I couldn't pay my rent or electric bill, and they provided emergency funds to make sure that I was able to make it all the way through school.

I decided to pursue a career in nursing because I had two kids and knew it was a high paying job with job security. I knew I'd have flexible work hours and wanted to get into a career where I would work with people but also make a living wage. I wanted balance and flexibility so that I could be a more involved mom. It's very much a caring, people-focused career.

I was living in a shelter at one point. I had a lot on my plate, and I pushed myself to do really well in school. I made straight A's up until my last year. I was an Honors student and had two children during the course of my education that were diagnosed as developmentally disabled, and went through a divorce.

I lost my support system at that time, but I really felt with Capital IDEA that I was part of a community, not just another person who filled out paperwork. I always knew that I had people who were not only depending on me to succeed, not just my kids and my family; there were people who had a vested interest in making sure I achieved my dreams. I felt I had a support system.

I had professors that really touched my life and gave me the confidence and sense of support that I needed to make it through.

I work for an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded. It's primarily an adult population residential facility for people with intellectual disabilities. In addition to that, the people who live there are wards of the state so it is state-supported. They have to be medically fragile or have needs that make them unable to live outside of a state facility. It's identity affirming. I'm working at a place that's a really good fit for me that maximizes my knowledge and skills.

A lot of the people I work with are non-verbal and have autism spectrum disorder. Since my son has autism, I see this as my life's work and have a personal connection to the people I treat.

ACC is a very close-knit community, and I've really walked away as a completely different person. I can hardly relate to the person I was in May 2006 when I first went back to school. I know now that with hard work and determination anything is possible.

For my money, I got an incredible education. You can't go anywhere and get such skilled, intelligent instructors who really challenge you and really care. I went to a major university and I feel like anyone who thinks that ACC is not as good as a major school is ill-informed. I am proud to say that I went to ACC and graduated with an associate in nursing. With smaller class sizes, I was able to communicate more on a personal level with instructors that made it easier for me to push through.

There are a lot of trade-offs and you have to give up a lot of things, mainly sleep, that you will never be able to reclaim but the benefits are so worth it. If you are willing to struggle through it, you can make it. You will be different, and you will be smarter in the end.

What I can give to my children now is not just the income; it's the school district they live in. I've completely shifted the socioeconomic class my children are growing up in because of my education. I know how to access resources like finding support. It's made me a better mom. Anyone can do it if you really want it. 

Editor's note: Small copy edits were made on Dec. 7.