One participant came to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Workforce Development Summit with a complicated medical history but a never-give-up attitude.
Sierra Owings, a sophomore at Shelton State Community College studying modern manufacturing, has experienced a complicated and daunting health journey including multiple surgeries throughout her life.
Owings is originally from Belarus, but came to America at age 9. At age 18, she was on her own, responsible for the care of her brother and working all the time.
“Even at age 18, I still struggled with English and had barely passed high school,” she said. “My parents had sheltered me from many things of the world, so I was unprepared in many ways.”
At age 24, she began having seizures and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and epilepsy.
In 2018, she had a brain surgery that helped save her life. By February 2023, she needed another emergency surgery. Since then, Owings said her quality of life has improved.
“After the second surgery, I was motivated to do something different with my life,” Owings said. “I had taken a few classes online at Gadsden State Community College, but decided to transfer to Shelton State since it is closer to my home.”
Owings worked in several automotive manufacturing jobs and knew she had a passion for quality assurance.
“I have worked in several quality assurance positions, so when I heard Shelton State was starting a quality engineering program, this excited and motivated me to enroll in this program,” she said. “I have been passionate about my classes and have maintained a 4.0 GPA at Shelton State.”
Owings said when she first learned about TMCF, she was a student without a job but looking for an opportunity to join activities. She was uncertain if she had the repertoire to attend the Workforce Development Summit.
“At first, I was not sure that I was going to be accepted into the TMCF program, wondering if I had enough qualifications for it,” Owings said.
The opportunity to learn how to interact with companies, how to interview and better market herself to potential employers motivated her to apply.
“What I am hoping to gain at the Workforce Development Summit is community partnership, leadership development, gaining new skills and the chance to meet new people,” Owings said. “I am hopeful to meet with companies that are local to Alabama and in need of someone in my field of quality engineering/quality assurance.”
She said she’d like to eventually pursue a degree in quality engineering.
Owings credits her faith for helping her through life’s trials.
“If it wasn’t for the Bible verse Philippians 4:13, I would have never made it to Shelton State,” she said. “It has helped me to stay motivated and believe in myself. I have a strong belief that God has guided me this far.”
