Dallas College: Federal Grant Prepares Veterans For College

Press release from Dallas College:

July 7, 2021

(DALLAS) — As the general manager for a mobile phone company, Catherine Kim knew how to run 10 stores and supervise 50 employees.

But something was missing. She knew she needed to equip herself with a college degree if she planned to advance. A college degree would bring authenticity and credibility to her already-impressive work ethic that includes 10 years of military service. While in the Army, Kim was a truck driver for an aviation unit. She also fueled and loaded rockets onto helicopters.

“I took a 10-year break from school,” said Kim, who joined the Army in 2010 — a couple of months after graduating high school.

After her general discharge under honorable conditions, Kim took at a job where she was responsible for others but felt she wanted more heft in her resume.

“I realized I could have this position, but still I need to know more. Something was lacking. I had the experience to get a decent job, but to really advance, I knew that I would have to get a degree,” said Kim, who enrolled in Dallas College in 2019.

The hardest part about her journey to college was taking the first step, Kim said.

This press release was produced by Dallas College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.