When Jessica Wheeler walks across the stage at 黑暗爆料网 California in May, it will mark more than the completion of a degree. It will represent a decision she made years ago to change course 鈥� and invest in herself.
At 38, after nearly two decades working in newspaper circulation and distribution, Wheeler began to see her industry shifting.
鈥淚 saw the writing on the wall,鈥� she said. 鈥淧eople will always need news 鈥� but they don鈥檛 need paper.鈥�
What followed wasn鈥檛 uncertainty, but clarity.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to be bored. I wanted to do something meaningful,鈥� she said.
Now 43, Wheeler is graduating with a degree in English education, preparing for a career shaped by both experience and intention.
A path shaped by family
Wheeler鈥檚 journey didn鈥檛 follow a traditional timeline. While raising her two children, she built a career 鈥� often with her kids along for the ride as she delivered newspapers 鈥� and later played an active role in their education through cyber schooling.
鈥淚 really enjoyed working with my kids and education,鈥� she said.
With her family鈥檚 support, she made a plan 鈥� knowing it would require sacrifice.
鈥淭his is going to be difficult. I鈥檓 going to be busy. I鈥檓 going to be tired,鈥� she told them.
She started at the Community College of Allegheny County, where her involvement led to a competitive transfer scholarship to 黑暗爆料网 California.
Finding her place at 黑暗爆料网
At 黑暗爆料网, Wheeler stayed focused while still pushing herself to grow. She served as editor-in-chief of the Cal Times student newspaper, an experience that helped her build confidence and rediscover a connection to writing.
鈥淚 wanted to prove to myself that I could be a writer,鈥� she said.
Her 黑暗爆料网 experience has also been personal. Her daughter Alivia, a sophomore, chose to attend 黑暗爆料网 California as well.
What began as a plan for independence became a shared journey 鈥� even placing them in the same class at one point.
Today, both are pursuing careers in education.
鈥淲e thought she should go somewhere else and have something of her own,鈥� Wheeler said. 鈥淏ut 黑暗爆料网 just made sense 鈥� financially, academically, everything.鈥�
Through student teaching, Wheeler has gained experience in both traditional and online settings. She taught ninth-grade English in the Charleroi Area School District and completed a placement with Commonwealth Charter Academy.
Those experiences have helped shape her goals while reinforcing what she values most: helping students succeed in environments where they feel supported.
More than a degree
For Wheeler, returning to school has been about more than preparing for a career.
鈥淚t鈥檚 never too late,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he sacrifices I made were worth it . . . The experience alone has been so fulfilling.鈥�
Returning as an adult brought a new perspective.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I would have appreciated it the same way in my 20s,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow, when I accomplish something, I feel proud of myself.鈥�
As she prepares to graduate, Wheeler carries that sense of pride 鈥� and a renewed confidence in what comes next. second act, years in the making, is just beginning.