January 2008

    My name is Darlene Yancey, I am 49 years old and a native of Person County.  After graduating from Person Senior High School in 1977, I attended North Carolina Central University for 1 year.  I dropped out of college, got married and gave birth to a son who is now 28 years old.   

    I worked various jobs until 1984; I began a career with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.  I remained there for 21 years until my position was downsized and sent to another location.  I was now at a crossroad in my life where I had to make decisions concerning my future.  A future wherein had already been settled.  My intentions were to retire Blue Cross and Blue Shield.  Needless to say I was devastated after receiving the news of downsizing.  After some soul searching I decided to go back to school and re-invent myself.  It was not an easy decision since I had been away from a school environment since 1978.  I decided to take the misfortune of losing my job and turning it into an opportunity to enhance my job skills and further my education. 
 

    I had grown tired of the out-of-town commute.  Rather than returning to NCCU, I decided to review PCC’s academic program.  I knew PCC had a reputation in the community for being a good school.   
 

    I began my education at PCC in obtaining a Business Administration Certificate to get my feet wet. I had made up in my mind, if I were to go back to school at this late date; I wanted to invest myself into something that I could enjoy. It was then; the helping profession came to my attention. I am currently enrolled in a dual degree program for Human Service Technology/ Concentration Social Work and Human Services Technology.  I would like to pursue becoming a Generalist.  It will give me a chance to expose myself to many areas as a part of this career.  A generalist participates in providing services to individuals, groups, organizations and communities.   
 

    I would like to be good at what I do.  When you become a part of the helping profession, you are signing on to make a difference in someone’s life.  I hope to learn the resources and system available to those in need, and allow my knowledge to be used as a vehicle for others in helping them to make their dreams a reality, or helping them to afford the necessities in life to pursuit liberty, justice and happiness.  
 

    I have learned through this experience, if you want something bad enough and apply yourself; it is yours for the taking.  When I started this journey I was filled with the fear of returning to school at my age, and low self esteem due to the loss of a job that I greatly depended on.  Since I began PCC in January, 2006 as a full time student, I have maintained the A or A, B Honor Roll, with the exception of 1 C the entire time. I have been recognized and received the President’s Honor Roll as a result.   
 

    I hope to be graduating after the Spring Semester of 2009.  This has taught me to win the game you must be in it, no pain, no gain, never say never, and to not let I can’t become a part of your vocabulary.  I would have become the little engine that could.   
 

   The road I am traveling in this career field could lead me down many paths.  It is all in how I take advantage of the teaching environment and what it has to offer, that I have been blessed to become a part of, and utilize this opportunity to advocate for change not only in my life, but others as well.   
 

    I would like to give special thanks to Sheri Narin and Kathy Oakley for being an inspiration through their encouragement, patience and teaching capabilities.  To my fellow classmates, I would like to say thanks for being there for me.  I entered this world with great uncertainty; it has now become a world of great possibilities.  I would also like to give thanks to PCC, an institution that breeds success.