“Striving
To Succeed”
Four years ago, I would have never imagined being six months
away from acquiring a bachelor’s degree in psychology,
working with a prestigious organization, or looking forward
to obtaining a master’s/doctorate degree in school psychology.
Today, I look to a bright future with new and exciting opportunities
lurking around every corner.
My name is Bobbi Doklovic, and I am a “30+” year-old
student at The Ohio State University, Mansfield campus. Upon
graduation from high school, I entered the U.S. Air Force. During
training I developed a medical condition that forced me to give
up my military career. I secured a job and worked long hours
and weekends for average pay. As a single parent, I was convinced
that this was the best I could do. Working at a wage that barely
kept food on the table, and my son’s diagnosis of High
Functioning Autism helped me decide it was time for change.
I took the plunge and signed up for classes at a local two-year
college. Although attending a two-year college provided me with
the confidence to continue my education, I realized I needed
a four-year degree if I really wanted to make a difference with
my life. I applied to and was accepted at The Ohio State University,
Mansfield campus.
With two quarters completed, I applied for the community service
Work-Study program. This program, offered through OSU, allowed
me to work in a related field of study with a non-profit organization
affiliated with OSU. This program served as a turning point
in my life. Because of my son ’s disability, I was determined
to obtain a certification in school psychology, but had no idea
what this occupation entailed. After speaking with a School
Psychologist from Mid Ohio Educational Service Center (MOESC),
I was certain that this was what I wanted to do with my life
and began working as a School Psychologist Assistant under the
Work-Study Program.
Through the first year, I learned the various types of assessment
tools used to test children with suspected learning disabilities
and how to interpret the results of those tests. Working closely
with other School Psychology Assistants, I acquired training
that would prove to be invaluable to my future career goals.
Through the first year, I remained at the hospital working part-time
as I continued my education and worked through the Work-Study
program. The following summer, I received a call that would
forever change my life. Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center
had an open position and, pleased with my prior year’s
work performance, offered me a full-time position.
I have now been with MOESC for a total of two-and-one-half
years and could not feel more blessed. I anticipate graduating
with my bachelor’s degree this summer and plan on attending
graduate school the following year. None of this would have
been possible without the benefit of such a knowledgeable staff
at OSU-Mansfield and the introduction to a group of generous
people, the Critical Difference For Women Scholarship Committee.
This scholarship is designed for women who have had a lapse
of time in their education and wish to return to earn a degree.
Without their generosity and compassion, I would have never
been able to finance my dream of becoming the first in my immediate
family to earn a college degree, much less look forward to earning
an post-graduate degree.
It is often extremely difficult and frightening to think about
returning to the educational realm, especially if you have been
out of the classroom for an extended period of time. The staff
at OSU was able to minimize my fears by presenting to me every
option available, ultimately providing me with a new lease on
life. I strongly encourage students to seek out their resource
people on campus who can support them during this exciting and
challenging time.
