Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
-
Jasmine Richmond
After Jasmine Richmond graduated from Fenger High School on Chicago’s far South Side, she considered a career in the trades. Her mother’s death a month after high school graduation changed her plans to attend a four-year university, and she focused on entering an allied health trade quickly to support her younger siblings. After trying out…
-
Stephanie Hawkins-Guevara
Stephanie Hawkins-Guevara Deciding to return to school in 2013, after graduating high school in 1986, was a dream deferred. As a child, I envisioned myself working in a hospital as a nurse. I would be the first-generation female college graduate in my family. However, the lack of understanding of mathematical equations increased my fear of…
-
Laura Ocon
Originally from Torreón, Coahuila, Mèxico, Laura Ocon came to Chicago more than 30 years ago. A wife and mother of three children, she found it challenging to get important healthcare information in her native Spanish. After starting school, her daughter increasingly served as the family translator. Ocon promised herself that as soon she had time, she…
-
Eduardo Perez
Eduardo Perez was determined to earn his bachelor’s degree after graduating from high school, but financial constraints prohibited him from heading directly to a four-year university. To save money, he enrolled at Wright College, where he identified a passion for computers and earned credits that would later transfer to Illinois Tech. Today, Eduardo has more…
-
Antoinnette Smith
After graduating from Chicago Vocational Academy in 2009, Burnham neighborhood resident Antoinnette Smith spent some time figuring out her next step. She took classes at Daley College and had jobs in warehouses and a distribution center. While she originally thought about studying medicine, it turns out that the best fit for her is what many…
-
Jacori Garrett
Jacori Garrett started his college career early as a student at Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy. As part of the Early College program, Jacori was taking college level classes and earning college credit as a high school student. Once he graduated from high school in 2017, he headed to a four-year university in Wisconsin. But…
-
Viggy Alexandersson
-
Renee King
From working in a call center and at a bank, to serving as a full-time nanny, Renee King’s resume already spans several industries—and now the 31-year-old Jamaican immigrant is focused on adding her dream job in dentistry to the list. Renee graduated with her associate degree in science from Truman College in the spring of…
-
Angel Childs
After graduating from Bogan High School on Chicago’s Southwest Side, Angel Childs took a series of temporary jobs to make ends meet. She was supporting her family and paying the bills, but, as someone who has always wanted to help others, she wasn’t feeling fulfilled by the work. Determined to make a change, Angel enrolled…
-
Dr. Stephanie Krah
Got any book recommendations?