“It’s all about what you are passionate about, because if you’re truly passionate you will make money.”

Melany Muñiz, 35, is in her third year at Milwaukee Area Technical College. After passing her pre-admissions exam, she is currently in her first year in the nursing program. Melany has always had the dream of becoming a nurse. After receiving her nail technician license in 2014 and working as a nail technician for almost eight years, she found the courage to change course and follow her dreams.

Leslie Nicolas: Are you in debt?

Melany Muñiz: Yes.

Q: Does debt affect how you look at school?

A: Yes.

Q: Does it ever unmotivate you or make you want to pause school to pay it off?

A: I want to keep in mind that I’m not going to worry about it until I finish school, but it is always in the back of my head where thoughts come to me and I tell myself I should get to work to pay off my debts, but I’m sure I won’t until I finish school.

Q: Do you know how much you will earn when you start working as a registered nurse?

A: Yeah, $60 an hour if I am accepted in my same agency but if I start at a hospital, it’s $40 an hour.

Q: Do you ever have doubts about the major you chose?

A: That is the profession that I have always dreamed of, but I didn’t have the courage. I felt like I couldn’t, in my mind, that I wasn’t intelligent enough to achieve it. But now I have no doubt. Once I have my registered nurse license, I can change to a different job in the same field.

Q: Aside from all the stress and debt, where do you find the reason and motivation to seek higher education?

A: Since I work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), I see my superiors and I like what they do. I want to help people and be able to have more power to intervene and help people more hands-on. As a CNA, I can’t do much, but I know that in the future, I will do what they do, and it motivates me.

Q: Do you know anyone who has found career fulfillment or success without seeking higher education?

A: Yes, many. I know several very successful realtors. You know, I used to be a nail technician, so I met many nail technicians, and I know one who has a successful business that is doing very well. However, there is a little bit of school for licensing in cosmetology schools but it is less than a traditional degree.

Q: If someone is unsure about going to college, what is some advice you would give them?

A: I would say yes to going as long they choose a career that they know they are passionate about and that they know will make them happy. It feels good, that I will achieve my dream. I think it’s worth it, the sacrifice in the end will be worth it. It’s all about your passion, if your passion doesn’t need a degree then you don’t need to get a degree. Why would u do it?  It’s all about what you are passionate about because if you’re truly passionate, you will make money with whatever it is that you do.