CC Wilcox went about earning a college degree like most students graduating from high school. He went straight to Bradley University like many of his peers, but after a year and a half of classes, dropped out and came back to Galesburg. He started a part-time job that turned into a full-time position and even enrolled in classes at Carl Sandburg College, but Wilcox admits he wasn’t ready to take on the responsibilities of being a college student and he dropped out all together.

After being in the working world for six years as an account executive at Miller Dredge Insurance,
Wilcox started to entertain the idea of trying for a degree again knowing that the timing was better for him this time around.

“I was kind of at the point where my job is fine and I’m paying the bills, but I wanted the option to get my degree. It’s something I look back on and am upset at how immature I was at that time,” said Wilcox. “It’s one of those things that’s hanging over my head and that’s why I came back.”

Wilcox knows this new chapter of his life will be a tough one but is thankful for the guidance that instructors and counselors have given him.

“I took a career placement class and that gave me an idea of things I would be interested in. The main problem with some of those is the timeframe needed to complete them. I know I could never go back full-time so it’s going to be a slow process but for me it’s more about getting that degree and getting that stepping stone I missed previously,” said Wilcox.

After having a few classes under his belt, Wilcox is more confident in the choice he has made because many of his classmates have similar stories.

“I like the fact that there is definitely a good amount of people in my same situation in my classes which was nice,” said Wilcox.

Going back to school was a tough decision for Wilcox, but one he knew he had to make to compensate for lost time.

“It was hard to come back, but once I knew I wanted to it was an easy decision and I had strong support from my family and close friends and my company which helps,” said Wilcox.