Students blog

In 2017, I was selected to receive a Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education. As part of the program I would be assigned a mentor. I never imagined having a mentor in college nor did I know what to expect from having a one. Would it be a previous winner of the scholarship or someone in my future career field of dentistry? Then I was introduced to Karen Keith, a Pearson employee and my mentor. Initially, I wondered how we would form a connection, but it didn’t take long for Mrs. Karen (as I call her) and me to begin building a relationship. She has become a true ally and has advised me in both professional and personal aspects.

Professional Advice

As a young student, I did not commit myself academically. During my seventh grade school year, I struggled for the entire first nine weeks of my pre-algebra class. My first quarter report card showed a failing grade in the class. I was going to be kicked out of the class. In a meeting with my parents and the school principal, we discussed how difficult it would be for me to raise my average. I was ready to give up. But my parents convinced my principal to have me reinstated into the class against my wishes. With their encouragement I was able to complete that school year with a 94 average in pre-algebra. To this day, it is one of my proudest academic accomplishments, because that year I acquired a new sense of motivation and determination in the classroom.