 Success:
Connie Smith
Made a Difference to That One!
April 2006
Summary:
Starting with zero knowledge of computers and a 30-year-old GED, Connie
Smith got soft skills training and a
scholarship to Roane State Community
College from Cumberland Good Samaritans. She graduated with an AAS degree in
Paralegal Studies and now uses computers everyday in her job as a paralegal.
Plus, she learned a lot more about the world around her and herself along the
way.
 My
name is Connie Smith and I would like to share with you a little about my
experience with Good Samaritans. I first went to Good Samaritans to take free
computer classes in the earlier months of 2002. At that time the fact that they
were free fit my budget very well. I had checked on other computer classes, but
they were too expensive for my budget.
I learned computer skills such as how to navigate,
(or surf as some say), the internet and to use computer programs like Word. I
learned to send and receive email and how to copy and paste from one document
to another. I also learned how to use search engines to find an abundance of
information on just about any subject you can think of. Most importantly I
learned how to turn the thing on! I had no computer knowledge at all. I had
always distanced myself from a computer in any way because I thought they were
too complicated for me to learn. I soon realized that if I was ever going to
find a good job, I would at least need some computer skills. The world was
turning more technical every day and I was not prepared to live in that world.
Carol Price, the instructor a the time, spoke with me about going to college.
The only education I had was elementary school and a GED that I had obtained in
the late 1970's. I was an older woman who had not been to school in MANY years
and I was scared of college because of my limited education, my age, and the
fact that I would be surrounded by much younger people. There were also
concerns about the cost. There was no way I could afford to go to college.
Carol then told me about the Good Samaritans
scholarship program, which I applied for and received.
In August of 2002 I began classes at Roane State Community College. A whole new
world opened up to me. A lot of it was scary; there were so many young people
there! I felt a little intimidated at first. Then I started seeing older people
there, too. I made many new friends of all ages and I saw some other friends
that I did not know were attending college. I do not remember any Algebra being
on my GED way back then, and if it were I am sure I guessed at the answers, so
Algebra scared the daylights out of me. There were nights I would sit at my
kitchen table and get so frustrated I would cry. They one night I made up my
mind that Algebra was NOT going to beat me. I had made myself a promise when I
first started college that I would graduate with honors. I wanted to be
the role model for my grandchildren, especially Ana, being as she is the only
girl and the oldest (14) of the four.
I was majoring in Paralegal Studies for an AAS degree, but
one of my favorite classes was Art Appreciation. I LOVED IT! I knew nothing
about art at that time. I am certainly no expert now, but I know what I
like and I understand the basic concept of art. I also appreciate it in
everything I see. When I visited my first gallery (which was the Jim Gray
gallery in Gatlinburg) for my art project, I was like a "kid in a candy
store". There was so much to see and so many colors that I had not seemed
to pay attention to before when I looked at a painting or picture. Art
class changed the way I looked at my everyday surroundings. I saw the many,
many colors of our world and our environment. I saw different shades of
each color and different values of a color that can be found in the trees
or the grass or just a shadow on a person's face.
There were other classes that opened my eyes to my world,
too. Environmental Science taught me much about how the environment works,
the Eco-system, and how little things that I could do, (like turn the water
off except when I need it when brushing my teeth to conserve water and
walking to a nearby store instead of driving to help from polluting the air
or using fuel), can help my world. Sociology helped me to better understand
different cultures, their customs and why they are that way and that just
because my customs may be different, it does not mean that theirs are
wrong. Also why and how our society works and possibly what would happen if
it did not work that way.
The law classes (and there were many) were geared toward a
different aspect of the law. Torts, Criminal, Family/Domestic, Legal
Research, and of course Wills, Trusts, and Estates are some examples. One
of the instructors always said the laws change every day so you continually
have to keep educated on them.
In June 2005 I was almost done. All that was left was my
legal internship. A woman that I had some classes with suggested I go see
an attorney that had recently went out on his own after working at the
local DA's office for a few years. At the time he had no secretary or
paralegal so it was tough getting in touch with him. I did not want to call
and speak with him as I thought it was more professional face to face. I
went to his office several times but he was never there when I was. Finally
I decided to sit on the bench across from his office that was in the
hallway of the building where he was located. Eventually he showed up. He
had been in court and some days it is an all day event. We spoke for a
while as he looked over my cover letter and resume. He decided he would let
me intern for him. I was so excited and scared, but also determined to do a
good job. I was to work three, eight-hour days a week. The internship
required that I work a total of 95 hours (for free) during the semester. My
internship started in June and I was finished with it in July. It took me
approximately one month; however, I made arrangements with the attorney to
let me work until the end of the semester (for free) so that I could get
the valuable experience I needed. I know that may sound crazy to some of
reading this, but consider this; how many legal want ads have you ever read
that says "No Experience Necessary"? I figured some experience is better
than none when I would go job seeking. I had the book knowledge but I
needed the hands on experience to go with it and this was the best way I
could see to get it.
In August 2005 I started my first day as a part-time paid
employee. I was working the same three days a week that I had been
interning for him. In November I became a full time employee. I love my
job! I have a wonderful boss and everyone in the legal system is very
helpful and nice.
I am so thankful to Carol Price, Good Samaritans, and the
Scholarship Board for helping to give me that opportunity. I would also
like to thank Attorney Kevin. D. Poore for giving me the opportunity to
intern in his office and for being a great boss to work for. Whenever makes
me feel stupid if I ask a question and even though he probably does not
realize it, he has taught me very much in the legal field.
Oh, and by the way, I graduated Magna Cum Laude; in May
2005, I achieved being on the National Dean's List; and a poem I had
written was read by the Dean of Roane State at my graduation. I know my
mother is looking down from heaven with a big smile as she beams with pride
of her baby's accomplishment.
Future plans? I am undecided at this time. There is plenty
of time for a Bachelor Degree or maybe even a Master's Degree. The
important thing to remember is that if I or you or anyone else want
something bad enough, have the determination to work for it, and believe in
yourself, you can do anything you set your mind to.
In closing I would like to say that you should NEVER think
you are too old or "not smart enough" to go to college. I made it, and it
was hard at times, but it was well worth it. I have pride in my
accomplishment and knowing that I made it through college. If you are
interested in finding out about Good Samaritans' programs, give them a
call. I am sure they would be happy to hear from you and to help you in any
way they can.
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