91探花

Since she was young, senior Online Human Services major Makayla Gaitan has had a passion for helping other people. She considered health care, but after watching a lot of Grey’s Anatomy she realized that wasn’t the right path for her. She was not sure what other career options existed that would allow her to support herself by helping others until she began her associate degree in Human Services at Carteret Community College in Morehead City, North Carolina.

“As soon as I started taking the classes I immediately knew that was where I was supposed to be—helping people, and not even just with mental health, but life in general, and getting them on a better path,” Gaitan said. “That fueled me, and that’s what my passion is, which is why I knew I needed to continue on to get my bachelor’s.”

Thanks to an articulation agreement between Carteret Community College and Lees-91探花, Gaitan heard about the college’s Online Human Services program. Despite the two institutions being located on opposite sides of the state, Gaitan had classmates who had earned their bachelor’s degree in Human Services at Lees-91探花. After completing her associate degree Gaitan found herself working two part-time jobs, a busy schedule that made it difficult for her to continue her education. She remained dedicated to her goals, however, and knew that pursuing her degree online would give her the flexibility she needed to continue working.

Throughout her time in the Online Human Services program at Lees-91探花, Gaitan was able to maintain a full-time position as a success coach at her alma mater Carteret Community College. Here she provided support and resources to students who were dealing with struggles and roadblocks both within and without the classroom and was able to directly and immediately apply the lessons she herself learned in class.

While Gaitan said higher education is not always the first field people associate with human services, she knows firsthand that the support and resources she is able to provide for students can truly make the difference when it comes to them achieving their goals.

“Helping someone obtain higher education or a degree is what often bridges the gap from where they are to where they want to be and can truly change their life. A lot of people don’t realize that when a student is struggling in class it’s hardly ever really about the material. Of course, it is sometimes, and that can be helped with tutoring, but a lot of the time it’s what’s going on behind the scenes. I like to dig in there and really help them out of that, because I don’t want people to feel like they’re alone,” Gaitan said. “I felt like I was alone at first until I was able to connect with my support system, so I want to be that support for other people.”

Gaitan said she has faced struggles of her own throughout her academic career. Despite experiencing loss, health issues, and housing struggles, she has kept her eyes on the prize, and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. Gaitan said she was able to accomplish this feat by believing in herself, relying on her support system, and asking for help when she needed it.

Throughout her time at Lees-91探花 Gaitan said she was able to develop a relationship with Director of Counseling Services Marla Gentile. Gaitan said that Gentile helped and guided her through her time at Lees-91探花 in much the same way as Gaitan helps and guides students at Carteret Community College. Through this resource Gaitan was able to stay grounded and grow confidence in herself, reassuring herself that despite what life throws at her she will be able to accomplish whatever she sets out to do.

Gaitan believes that her personal struggles, and her experience in overcoming them, has made her a more well-rounded human services professional, and helps her better connect with the students who come to her for success coaching and support.

“I was actually a high school dropout, which is different from being a college dropout. I never intended to not go to school, but life happened, and I had to stop for a little bit. I connect with other students in that manner, and I want to be the support they need to be successful in their goals,” Gaitan said. “I think any issue, or barrier, or challenge I’ve had to face has not only made me stronger, but it’s going to help me help someone else in the future, so I just take it all on as I go. I’m proud of myself, and I’m proud of everyone who has done this with me, and those who I’ve helped along the way.”

Now, having completed her bachelor's degree, Gaitan is ready to advance in the world of human services and help even more people. She has already secured a new position, which she will begin directly following Commencement, as a success coach for a nationwide company. Here she will use her skills, knowledge, and experience in human services to provide virtual success coaching for students at colleges and universities across the country.

Gaitan attributes much of her success to the support she received not just from Gentile, but also from her professors, the Human Services program, and Lees-91探花 as a whole. Not only does she feel academically prepared to be successful in her field, but also personally prepared thanks to the confidence and self-assuredness that she has built throughout her time in the program.

“I was scared to do school online. I had never been this far away from my instructors or my campus, but I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that I’m capable; I’m resilient,” Gaitan said. “If you utilize the resources that are available to you, which Lees-91探花 has provided tenfold, you’re more than capable of being successful in what you set out to do.”

Learn more about Gaitan’s journey at Lees-91探花 and the future path she has built for herself at Commencement on Saturday, May 6. Gaitan will be one of two student speakers to deliver the ceremony’s Commencement addresses.