Beating the Odds: A Nontraditional College and Career Path

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Building Success in Urban Schools

Abstract

Using narrative inquiry methods, we describe, explore and relate the journey of one high-needs student, “David,” from his personal and academic struggles in middle school to his successes in high school, college and career. Building on a previous interview 6 years ago, David provides important insights into the crucial supports and structures that contributed to his success. Key features of David’s experiences include (1) Educational and emotional support; (2) Feeling part of a learning community; (3) Personal care. These themes echo the ethos of what mattered to David in middle and high school (family; relationships, and caring); these themes continue to be significant to him today in his career.

Authors

• Mary Beth Schaefer, Saint John's University

• Lourdes M. Rivera, Queens College - CUNY