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For Elvira Iñiguez, a first-generation student, obtaining a college degree was always a given. She enrolled at Chabot College after high school and became part of the PUENTE program to facilitate her transfer to a four-year university. However, after a setback that threatened her family’s stability, she had to pivot to find a job opportunity in support of her family. Ms. Iñiguez, who is also a mother of four, shared, “At the time, I was attending community college with the intention of becoming a nurse, but as I factored in my increasingly demanding job schedule and being a parent myself, I found my goal difficult to achieve. I [decided I] had to hold off on my education.”
Ms. Iñiguez is a Student and Family Enrollment Manager at Aspire Public Schools ERES Academy. Prior to that, she began her career in the field of education as a full-time assistant for human resources on a temporary basis. Later, she landed a role as a founding Business Manager, where she learned all about the systems necessary to build a school from the ground up.
Ms. Iñiguez never lost sight of her own educational pursuits. She says, “After 14 years working at Aspire, I am seeing the opportunity I’ve been waiting for, and I can finally focus on school.” This year, she decided to enroll in Rivet School’s innovative college program that helps working students earn their bachelor’s degrees in as little as 2-3 years. She is poised to complete her degree in Healthcare Management by January 2023.
Ms. Iñiguez looks forward to evolving her operations expertise and passion for helping others into a career that connects people to healthcare benefits and advocacy resources. She talks about her decision to enroll at Rivet and her experience in the program.
Why did you choose to enroll at Rivet?
I was in college when I accepted a job offer as a founding office manager at Aspire in 2009. As I began working 50-60 hours a week while being a full-time mom of two at the time, it became difficult to manage my part-time school schedule. It wasn’t until a friend told me about Rivet School and encouraged me to look into it. I was sold on their structure, which enabled me to work on school projects at my own pace and allowed the flexibility to fit the program into my busy life schedule.
Can you share your experiences in the program so far?
Rivet School sets realistic expectations when it comes to balancing work, family, and life. I’ve had a successful first term and have been well ahead of my mastered projects. Attending Rivet School has pushed me to continue expanding my knowledge and learning relevant skills that I can implement immediately in any capacity as an employee, teammate, or leader. My favorite part of the program is working on projects that are based on real-life experiences.
What’s the support like? How often do you have access to support?
Rivet School fellows have a coach who meets with us weekly on a 1-on-1 basis and is always available for support during business hours. There are online group discussions set up for every project to connect with peers and consult with project reviewers directly for additional guidance. Lastly, we use the Workplace app, which is similar to Facebook, where fellows can post questions and request support. For my projects, I usually begin by reviewing the discussion threads and the project tip sheet so that I know what to expect. If I’m truly struggling, I’ll submit what I have and wait for direct feedback from the reviewer. They provide excellent guidance on your next steps to achieve mastery.
What advice do you have for anyone considering this program?
Become a Rivet School fellow! Do it! Whether you want to further your education or make a career change, take advantage of this opportunity that adapts to your everyday life. It’s affordable, manageable, and designed to meet your needs within and outside of the educational space.