Candace Benson
Wayne County Community College District
Detroit, MI USA
"The stigma [of going to community college] is there, but for me, I just needed an education. To me, education is what you put into it."
Career Roadmap
Candace's work combines: Medicine, Education, and Learning / Being Challenged
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
There is definitely a stigma attached to going to community college, but I just needed an education. I applied myself and worked hard and, at the end of the day, I took the same license exams as everyone else.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Associate's Degree
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
Wayne County Community College District
Bachelor's Degree
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
University of Detroit Mercy
Graduate Degree
Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling
Wayne State University
Certification
Dental Assisting/Assistant
Washtenaw Community College
Associate's Degree
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Wayne County Community College District
Bachelor's Degree
Nursing Science
Chamberlain College of Nursing-Illinois
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Raised by a single mother—says seeing her work hard and struggle to provide was her main motivator in wanting to succeed.
2.
As a toddler, her mother would bring her to some of her college classes—says she developed a strong sense that “going to school and getting an education was a must.”
3.
Attended Western Michigan University for a semester, but was forced to drop out due to lack of financial aid.
4.
Instead, she decided to attend Wayne County Community College (WCCC)—completed all of her prerequisite classes in a year as opposed to the typical two years.
5.
Ended up switching her major from accounting to dental hygiene and was enrolled in the program alongside her mother—they eventually graduated from the program together.
6.
After working as a dental hygienist for a few years, she was asked to start teaching for the dental hygiene program at WCCC—wanted to help other students succeed just as she did.
7.
Went on to receive her bachelor's and master's degrees in dental hygiene—she is also a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in nursing.
8.
Currently serving as the interim dean of dental programs for Wayne County Community College District in Detroit, MI.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You went to a community college so you must not be smart or well trained.
How I responded:
There is definitely a stigma attached to going to community college, but I just needed an education. I applied myself and worked hard and, at the end of the day, I took the same license exams as everyone else.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
My mother and I attended school at the same time and the cost put a small financial strain on us.