Before becoming a peer leader during her junior year, Eileen Concepcion didn’t even know her high school had a college office. Now a graduate of the High School of Fashion Industries (HSFI) and a rising freshman at SUNY Oneonta, Eileen says CARA has helped her get out of her comfort zone and think bigger about her future.
This year, Eileen was one of 243 CARA peer leaders supporting high school students with the difficult FAFSA process. She also participated as a panelist in our FAFSA fiasco event, representing high school seniors facing similar issues. After graduation, she joined our Right to College program as an intern and has been helping facilitate summer training for future peer leaders. We’re so proud to see her growth as a credible messenger and leader!
While she never envisioned herself in a job that required extensive interaction with others, Eileen says that “Without CARA, I wouldn’t be able to speak in front of people or be as confident as I am now.” As a senior, Eileen was a part of a counseling team that supported 362 seniors at HSFI through the college application process.
While supporting students, Eileen was also working on creating her own postsecondary plan. Initially considering a major in criminal justice, Eileen has decided to explore various options before making a final decision. “I didn’t realize all the different pathways I could go into until I started exploring my interests with CARA and learning about my skills,” she says.
Through her journey with CARA, Eileen has found more than just a job; she found a network of support and knowledge that will accompany her through college and her career. “CARA makes me feel like I always have someone to talk to,” she says. This support system has equipped her with the tools to think critically about her future and explore different options confidently. “The training I’ve received with CARA has empowered me to think for myself and helps me be confident in making big decisions,” she says. “I wouldn’t have even considered exploring different majors if my advisor at CARA didn’t help me realize that it was ok to have different plans.”