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Once a goal, then a reality

Until she went back to school at the age of 38, Christine didn't know what she wanted in life, or just how capable she was. A former model, she had limited workforce skills. So although she was applying herself, her chances of finding self-fulfilling work were slim. It wasn't easy coming down from her jet-setting life in the freewheeling 70's.

"I had no other training, so when I retired from modeling, I didn't have many job options." College wasn't an option - she wasn't even thinking about furthering herself by sitting in a classroom. "I wasn't really interested in my high school classes. I wanted to get away from home and travel." She did just that. Through modeling, she lived in New York, Los Angeles and the major cities of Europe.

A combination of moves helped Christine get her life back on track. She met her husband, married and had a baby. And she transformed her environment with a move from party-town Los Angeles to Florida. That was an especially good move - because in Florida she went into recovery, and a friend talked her into going to college. "She told me I owed it to myself and that I could do it. She wouldn't listen to my self-doubts. She even got the application for me, sat me down and helped me fill it in!" With this help and the encouragement of her husband, Christine took the plunge.

In 1991, she signed up for a full-time associate's degree program at St. Petersburg Junior College even though she was also juggling family responsibilities and work experience jobs. "But I was really lucky - again. On my first day at St. Pete's I met a female classmate who introduced me to a fantastic women's support group on campus: WOW (Women on the Way)*. We had our own lounge where we could study, get advice, get help with child care services, or just get away from it all. I don't know what I would have done without them!"

By now, Christine had a good idea of what she wanted to accomplish. Exactly 20 years after graduating from high school and now in recovery herself, she decided she wanted to help others find their way through life productively, meeting their full potential. This time, unlike her high school days, she had a reason to apply herself to her studies. And despite a heavy schedule, heavy commute, a young child and a husband working out of state, she still found the time to get involved in campus activities, working her way up to treasurer of the Alumni Honor Society and president of BACCHUS.

The combination of direction, encouragement and personal effort was magical. Not only did Christine get an A.S. degree in Human Services, but she also graduated with top honors - and newfound self-esteem. "I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful experience college was for me. I was involved, I was helping, I was achieving, and I had such validation from my husband, my friends, my instructors and my fellow classmates. I had never felt so good about myself or my purpose in life. And I finally recognized my college education as a personal achievement no one can ever take away from me."

That's not to say there weren't some lingering doubts. Christine thought she was finished with school once she had her A.S. degree. But another one of those helpful friends intervened yet again. With a little push, Christine found her way into the admissions office of the University of Tampa seeking financial aid to pursue a bachelor's degree. Her Junior College grades and leadership abilities clinched it. After another two years of full-time school, part-time jobs and full-time motherhood, Christine got her bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Tampa and made the National Dean's List.

Since she was already working in the field of her choice-helping people-did she really need this degree? Maybe not. But Christine wanted the challenge, and she cherished the boost in self-confidence and depth of awareness her additional studies provided.

After graduation in 1995, she went even further to gain credentials from the State of Florida as a Certified Addiction Professional. She's also a member of the Florida Counseling Association and is an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. She's currently pioneering in the provision of counseling services, intervention and treatment over the Internet, as well as doing individual and group counseling in her community.

What is Christine's advice for others thinking about returning to school?

Don't worry about how you're going to do it. I know I never thought I could! Well, you can do it. How? You just do whatever it takes. You put one foot in front of the other.

Junior colleges are an ideal place to start. They know how to deal with non-traditional students from many walks of life. Your classmates are similar to you in age and experience, so everyone helps each other. In my experience, the administration and the instructors were very supportive, certainly never intimidating and always encouraging.

When you're in school, work hard and get involved, stay focused, and don't give up!

There's always an opportunity for you. You owe it to yourself to take advantage of it. It's never impossible and, as in recovery, it's never too late.

Most of all - as Christine's own metamorphosis from social butterfly to social worker bears out - if you persist: once a goal, then a reality.

*WOW (Women on the Way) is a women's support group based on the campus of St. Petersburg Junior College.

Visit Christine's web site at http://www.christine@theCounselors.com

Story by Nancy Davies, based on telephone interview.

Christine Shea,
St. Petersburg Junior College and University of Tampa,
Bachelor's, Social Work