A New Direction
A New Direction: Turning Uncertainty Into Purpose
Sometimes the hardest part of starting over isn鈥檛 change 鈥� it鈥檚 finding direction.
Starting over doesn鈥檛 always come with a clear path 鈥� but sometimes, it leads exactly where you鈥檙e meant to be. What began as a search for stability became something much more: a journey toward purpose, growth, and a future built on helping others succeed. At the time, college didn鈥檛 feel like an option.
鈥淚 was focused on staying stable, but I didn鈥檛 have a long-term plan,鈥� she said. 鈥淐ollege seemed financially impossible.鈥�
Like many navigating recovery and re-entry, Shannon was trying to rebuild step by step鈥攂ut without a clear vision for the future.
That changed with one conversation.
When Liz Hubbard, NCWorks Re-entry Case Manager, explained that the WIOA program could help cover tuition and books, something shifted.
鈥淎 lightbulb went off,鈥� Shannon said. 鈥淔or the first time, education felt possible.鈥�
But it wasn鈥檛 just about school.
It was about what school could lead to.
鈥淚 realized I could use my experiences to help others while building a future for myself.鈥�
Finding Confidence in the Classroom
Walking into college after everything she had been through wasn鈥檛 easy.
There were doubts. There were questions. There was uncertainty.
But there was also something new鈥攕upport.
At 51黑料网, Shannon found an environment that didn鈥檛 just teach鈥攊t encouraged, guided, and believed in her.
鈥淚鈥檝e had to overcome self-doubt and learn how to balance responsibilities,鈥� she said.
Through the Human Services Technology program, she began building both practical skills and confidence.
鈥淢y favorite part has been the hands-on learning and real-world application,鈥� she shared. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me develop communication, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of people.鈥�
She wasn鈥檛 just learning concepts.
She was learning how to connect, how to support, and how to lead.
And then came a moment that changed everything.
鈥淚 realized I could really do this when I started assisting people in similar situations,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 saw that my experience had value.鈥�
For the first time, she believed in her ability to make a difference.
鈥淢y past didn鈥檛 disqualify me鈥攊t gave me perspective and purpose.鈥�
Helping Others While Building a Future
Today, Shannon is doing exactly what she once hoped for.
She works in behavioral health and re-entry support, helping justice-involved individuals navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives.
鈥淚 help clients stay accountable to their goals, connect them with resources, and support them as they rebuild stability after incarceration,鈥� she said.
Her work is personal.
She understands the barriers, the fears, and the uncertainty鈥攂ecause she has lived it.
And that makes her support even more meaningful.
She has also earned Peer Support and Substance Use credentials and continues working toward her Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CDAC) certification.
At the same time, she is excelling academically:
- Vice President鈥檚 List (Fall 2024)
- President鈥檚 List (Spring, Summer, Fall 2025)
- Social and Human Services Certificate with Honors
- Substance Abuse Certificate with Honors
鈥淭he program gave me direction, confidence, and hands-on experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 finally have a clear career path instead of feeling lost.鈥�
Looking Ahead With Purpose
Shannon鈥檚 future is no longer uncertain.
It鈥檚 intentional.
She has been accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work program at UNC Wilmington, where she plans to continue her education and eventually become a therapist in the substance use or mental health field.
鈥淢y goal is to help people rebuild their lives,鈥� she said.
For Shannon, this path is about more than a career.
It鈥檚 about impact.
It鈥檚 about showing others that change is possible鈥攁nd that support makes all the difference.
A Message for Others Starting Over
If there鈥檚 one thing Shannon wants others to understand, it鈥檚 this:
Starting over is not easy鈥攂ut it is possible.
鈥淓mbrace the opportunity, be patient with yourself, and take advantage of all the support available,鈥� she said.
She knows what it feels like to hesitate, to question, and to wonder if it鈥檚 worth it.
But she also knows what happens when you take that first step.
鈥淵our past doesn鈥檛 define your future,鈥� she said.
And in her case, that past became something even more powerful.
鈥淢y past became the reason I knew how to help someone else鈥檚 future.鈥�
聽To learn more information about NCWorks and WIOA please visit our website
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