However, on college commitment, as Musano stood amongst her
university-bound peers, she couldn’t help but feel self-conscious of her future at community college.
“I absolutely felt like I was behind,” Musano said. “I was looking around at everyone else and they’re all wearing their college sweatshirts and I didn’t want to look at them. I didn’t want to think about [college]. People asked me [where I was planning on going] and I was just like, ‘not sure yet.’”
However, once she arrived at Miramar Community College, Musano’s perspective took a complete 180.
“Going to community college wasn’t just something financially more beneficial to me and my family, but it was also something that introduced me to so many more people than I feel like I would have met going straight to a four-year [college],” Musano said. “I’m really proud that I went to community college. It’s motivating and inspiring to be around people who are working so hard. There were people who were in jail coming back and trying to restart their life. There’s single moms; there’s people who maybe did great in high school. Being exposed to that if that’s not your [usual] environment already is really beneficial.”
Through Miramar, Musano was able to get connected to a wide variety of resources that helped her in navigating what she wanted to do in the future.
“I joined this group called Global Community College Transfer Network, [which] was essentially a way to connect community college transfer students with public service opportunities,” Musano said. “It was just a network of people sharing resources constantly. It was internships, fellowships, grad school programs, all these things that I’d never heard of and didn’t know about. You get exposed to all those backgrounds and stories, which I think is also really helpful when you’re trying to figure out what you want to do. I knew [from community college] what I wanted to do was to help people. I wasn’t quite aware how I was going to get there, but I said, ‘Bottom line, I will do that.’”
After taking community college classes for a year, Musano transferred to University of California Berkeley and majored in Global Studies with a focus in Latin America. After graduating two years later – and a full year before most of her high-school graduating class – Musano now works as the Digital Communications Manager for Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly in Washington D.C..
“One thing that’s been really cool [while] working in government is seeing how many different backgrounds people come to the hill with,” Musano said. “I’m always interested in people who had dance as their major, English literature, or come from a biology background, and we’re all in the same place. I find those kinds of pathways really interesting and it also tells you you can get [to where you want] anyway if you really want to.”
According to Musano, over the course of her journey, she’s realized that although she felt behind for so many years, she’s ultimately found peace.
“I would never say I regret a single moment of [community college],” Musano said. “I think how you define success and how you approach your life in conjunction with that has a lot to do with validating yourself. I think it’s also just affirming yourself every day and the little things that you do. Give yourself the two seconds of joy that you can find, because that’s also part of a successful day. If you’re able to sort of acknowledge the little good moments that come along your way, I think that is also successful.”
