Justin Plough
Systems Administrator in Grand Ledge, Michigan
It's always incredible to look back and reflect on what you have done to get to where you are. For me personally, I don't know where I am going, but I remember where I am from and how hard the road was to get here. Working full time, being an engaged and loving father of two, a husband, a brother, and a son, all while being the first in my family to complete a bachelor's degree was certainly a challenging journey.
As I reflect back on my journey I cannot thank the people enough who are in my life that have supported and encouraged me the entire time. First and foremost, my wife Tabitha has been there through thick and thin throughout some extremely stressful times and always pushed me when I needed it most. Education is not big in my family. I come from an industrial town where factory jobs are plentiful and you're usually expected to work at one of them upon graduating from high school. I still can't believe I was the first to receive a degree from a university in my family.
When I first told my parents I was going to move away for school it was hard for them to understand why I would leave a good job for school. After opening up to them about why I wanted to pursue a college degree they embraced it and supported it. You may ask why this would be a question in the first place. Well, I had a good job that paid pretty well. I was in the process of purchasing my first home. I had multiple vehicles and the 2000 superbike of the year. I was a mid-twenties adult who seemed to have his shit together. But, I found love and wanted more out of life.
It wasn't long after that life changing decision that I found out we were expecting our first child. Wow, how scary it was to receive this news at first. But, my daughter, Addison, was more motivation than anything else for me to realize I need to persist through and finish.
Traveling this wonderful and questionable road has taught me so much about accepting change, accepting what you cannot control, and more importantly, accepting responsibility for everything you do!