Student Spotlight: Cindy Jaunich

In 2007, Cindy Jaunich found herself in a place in life that she never thought she'd reach.

"I realized my future would not hold what I thought it would and that I needed a way to continue to take care of my two children and me and provide us with a solid and stable future," she said. "I had no formal education. In the past, I had managed restaurants and bars and did not care for that type of lifestyle anymore. So I had to make some hard decisions and decided I needed to get my education for their sake and mine."

Jaunich has a good friend who was a student at College of DuPage and spoke highly of the school. She recommended that Jaunich take the Myers Briggs test to find out what career she should pursue and meet with a counselor to guide her in the right direction.

In January of 2009, Jaunich signed up for a class at COD, starting with her weakest subject -- math.

"I was very nervous about returning to school," she explained. "I was older and I was a terrible student when I was younger. Math terrified me, so I started with that and wanted to see if I could pass one class. I was very fortunate and had an excellent math teacher, Vicki Garringer, who gave me confidence and taught me the study skills I needed to succeed."

Jaunich decided to pursue computer science. She always loved learning about computers and enjoyed solving problems.

"So far, it has been quite challenging, but I also find it very rewarding when I finally solve the problem I have been working on," she said. "I was also very fortunate to take Mary Ann Zlotow's 'Intro to Computers' class. She encouraged me and found my enthusiasm for learning appealing. She has been an excellent resource for me and in many aspects a mentor.

"I like the fact that with computers your career can take you in so many different directions. I do believe I will begin with programming and then be open to any possibilities from there. I also like that I can work in so many different fields with my skills. I think that web design will incorporate my creativity into my work and that I would enjoy it the most."

Jaunich is in the process of finishing up her last class and will graduate in 2012. She already landed a job working as a team lead of a Windows 7, Tier II service desk for Kellogg's in Oak Brook. Returning to school has been a tremendous learning and life experience for her.

"I had lot of family members look at me strangely for going back to school so late in my life, but I never let other people's opinions stop me before," she said. "I knew that the next two years would be of extreme sacrifice and would probably cost me in my personal life, but it is the best thing I have ever done and I think I have set an excellent example for my two young sons. I have shown them the importance of education and that if you work hard enough and want something badly enough you will succeed.

"When I finish school, this degree will be mine. I will have earned it with my own hard work and discipline and no one can ever take that from me."

Jaunich considers her experience at COD to be very rewarding.

"I've had some excellent teachers and made great new friends and look forward to always being involved with COD at some level," she said. "I plan on continuing my education even after I have graduated so I can keep up with the ever-changing world of computer science."

More about Computer Science at COD