A Military Spouse’s Road to a Career She Can Take Anywhere
“You just have to start.”
That’s Leorena’s advice, especially to military spouses who’ve put their own goals on hold, unsure of where life might take them next.
After seven years of military life, Leorena finally found a place where she could begin building something for herself: Manhattan Tech.
“Being a military spouse, committing to four-plus years is hard. You never know where you’ll be,” she said. “Here, I can finish in two. And I’m not sacrificing anything.”
Leorena is working toward her Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) degree and taking general education courses. She was drawn to Manhattan Tech for its small class sizes, flexible programs, and instructors who care.
“Here, I can approach my instructors when I have a question. I know my classmates, I get that small-class feel, and I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing the quality of my education by choosing a tech college over a four-year.”
For military spouses who often move every few years, that kind of connection and consistency matters. “I feel more valued as a student because my instructors know me. They remember my name, they notice when I’m struggling, and they take the time to help. You’re not just a face in the crowd, and that makes a big difference.”
At Manhattan Tech, Leorena is more than a student. She’s a peer tutor in the Teaching and Learning Center, helping others tackle math, writing, study skills, and more. She doesn’t do it by being perfect but by showing up, working through problems together, and reminding students that they should never be ashamed to ask for help.
“Leorena is the model of what we look for in a student mentor,” said Darren Ortega, Director of the Teaching and Learning Center. “Her dedication to helping others is matched only by her desire to see them succeed.”
Her instructors trust her not just as a student but as a leader. When her math teacher had to leave for a conference, a GED math class was left without a teacher. Leorena was asked to step in.
“Leorena goes above and beyond,” said Math and GED Instructor Brian Koch. “She’s the kind of student who lifts everyone around her, always ready to help and asking thoughtful questions that benefit the whole class. That’s why I trusted her to teach the GED math class. She’s a natural leader and a generous learner.”
Leorena is proud of her path. “You don’t need a bachelor’s degree to succeed in the MLT field. I’ll do the same work, make the same pay, and I’ll be out working faster. If I want to get more education later, I can do that, too.”
To other military spouses or anyone questioning whether college is the right next step, Leorena has a clear message: “What you put into it is what you get out. You might not control everything in life, but you can control your effort.”
For Leorena, starting wasn’t just about enrolling. It was about reclaiming her momentum, investing in herself, and proving that even in a life full of uncertainty, starting small can lead to big opportunities.
