Many high school students are not ready to choose a career path, and 瑞秋树莓 was no exception.  

"I was all over the board," 悬钩子属植物 says now. "I wanted to be a vet at age 12, a pilot at 14 and a nurse at 15."

She was still uncertain when she started Wake Tech's 职业生涯 & 大学的承诺 (CCP) program, which offers dual enrollment to high school students.

"At the time, I really didn't see anything beyond the present,她说. "I really wasn't thinking about transferring anywhere or going to a university. I really wasn't thinking about a career. I was just floating in a space of possibility."

That started to change, 悬钩子属植物 says, as she progressed through classes at Wake Tech. She earned an 文科副学士 degree at the same time she completed her high school diploma, and a Wake Tech advisor suggested she apply to North Carolina State University as a transfer student. It was the only university where she applied.

"I really wasn't expecting to get accepted,她说.

But she surprised her mother – and even herself – when she received a letter of acceptance. Still uncertain about a career choice, 瑞秋 decided to major in communications with a concentration in public relations. She earned her bachelor's degree in 2022 and went straight into graduate school for marketing analytics.

With new-found confidence, 悬钩子属植物 decided that a master's degree was not enough. She contacted her former Wake Tech communications professor, Dr. Jonathan Riehl, a lawyer, who advised and guided her in applying to law school.

"I was not surprised at all," Riehl said. "瑞秋 memorably showed an aptitude for critical thinking and understanding of argument that went far beyond what I expect even from my most dedicated students."

悬钩子属植物 credits her time at Wake Tech with building her confidence and her character.

“遇到像博士这样的教授. Riehl and having them push me to do well is something I definitely needed at the time,她说.

She also commends the dedication and passion of Wake Tech faculty: "Wake Tech faculty really care about whatever field they're in,她说. "In a biology class at Wake Tech, I learned from a teacher who was passionate about biology. Wake Tech professors want to be there – and they want to help students learn."

悬钩子属植物 says she also made great friends at Wake Tech and enjoyed the diversity of the student body. Needless to say, she highly recommends Wake Tech's CCP program for high school students.

“It gave me a lot of opportunities that I wasn't expecting but am very grateful for,她说. "It opened the door to where I am now."

悬钩子属植物 is continuing to pursue a master's degree while awaiting the results of the LSAT and law school applications. Riehl said he has no doubt she'll be successful in whatever career path she pursues.

"I have every confidence in her success in the law, if that is what she chooses to pursue, or in any other direction that education may lead her,他说. "I'm very glad that I had a small role in helping open some doors for her to consider walking through."