NIC ACCREDITATION: Life-changing opportunities will be lost without it

In 2013, I was diagnosed with a rare and chronic debilitating disease. I’d been suffering for years and was glad to finally get a diagnosis, but I soon learned that my chronic illness would impact every aspect of my life. The biggest and scariest decision I had to make was what to do about my career. I had worked in restaurants/restaurant management for more than 15 years by that point. I had virtually no other work experience so I continued in my current career, but before long, it was obvious I couldn’t keep working on my feet for 50-60 hours a week. It was just too painful.

To me, the choice was simple. I’d go back to NIC to retrain for a new career. I began taking classes in 2016. I wasn’t looking forward to being in college again in my late 30s, but I was so thankful to have that opportunity. The amazing staff and faculty at NIC made the transition almost seamless. Even as a non-traditional student, I felt supported. I was able to take mostly online classes and continue to work full time so I could make ends meet.

I began my new career as a paralegal in 2017 and graduated in 2018. I’ve now been working in my new career for almost six years. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without NIC. It would be a travesty to see our community lose thousands of opportunities should our beautiful college lose accreditation.

LAURA TENNESON

Coeur d’Alene