Absecon Graduate is First Generation Degree Holder in Family
05/15/2018 | Media Contact: Erin Mercer | (609) 343-4923
Ariana Vasquez, 20, of Pleasantville, graduates from Atlantic Cape Community College with an associate degree in business administration and will pursue her bachelor’s degree at Stockton University in the fall. She is the first person in her family to graduate college, all while working fulltime, being an athlete, holding an internship and keeping her grade point average at a minimum of 3.8.
When asked what her biggest challenge was while at Atlantic Cape, she replied, “Trying to figure out what degree I wanted to pursue. Believe it or not, I changed my major four times, and I was behind my two-year timeline to graduate, but I managed my time wisely, planned everything and was able to graduate in two years.”
She said she overcame this challenge by having a positive mindset, talking to professionals in different careers and speaking with counselors to help plan everything ahead.
“Atlantic Cape has given me the chance to obtain my associate degree without the need to take out any loans and avoid debt for the first two years of my college career path. The classes were very flexible with my schedule, and I was able to take all the classes I needed in the morning, so I could work in the afternoon and do other extracurricular activities. Atlantic Cape has also helped me choose the career that I have chosen to follow.
Her philosophy for success? “Always change every negative situation into something positive, never let anything hold you back from getting what you want, follow your dreams, goals and aspirations in life and never forget to be happy and to love.”
In 5 to 10 years, Vasquez hopes to be working as a vice president or president of a marketing department, traveling around the world and hopefully starting a family.
“Graduating from Atlantic Cape means that I was given an opportunity to achieve the first step of my career– obtain my associate degree in business administration. It means that I’m on the path to success,” she concluded.