How do the education credentials you’ve earned influence your prospects for success upon release?
I have focused my whole time on education while in prison. I do have a prison job but I have always looked for a job that I can have enough free time to also focus on my education. When I first started my time I joined Unicor at the Dublin FCI in California. The unicor was a call center for 411. I worked about 3 to 4 months then I quickly realized that they did not like people signing up for classes and missing work hours. I was a good agent and was praised on my job reviews but I didn’t like not being able to focus on my educational studies. I felt like I was in prison in prison by not being able to work on my personal education goals. I quickly left that job and looked for a job in the education department where I could utilize my skills and be able to get more education. I had a goal to finish whatever college classes I could take and earn some kind of degree. I had some college under my belt from Nevada. I got the credits transferred and took more classes. Through the California college system and a Board of Governors Waiver fee the classes were free for California residents all I had to pay for were the books. I took advantage of these classes and earned 2 associates degrees at the end of 2017. One in Business Management and one in Social and Behavioral sciences. The classes are transferable to a California University so my next goal is to complete a Bachelor’s degree. I had to stop there because there are not any Universities that work with prisons to complete the Bachelor’s or higher education. I wish there were more opportunities to continue after an associates in prison. These classes made me well rounded in different subjects. I didn’t stop there after completing that I continue to sign up for all kinds of classes in different subjects especially ones that offer outside real work certifications. By doing this I know it increases my prospects for success and I have different avenues for job opportunities. I don’t envision myself working in a regular 9-5 job for too long I always see myself owning my own business when I get out. Of course, when I first get out I might have to work a regular wage job but I only see my self doing it for a while until I prepare for some thing better like owning my own business. I am starting to write down all my goals, ideas, and drawing to framework the business I would like to have.
