Peg Sass

Life is full of so many changes and we learn to adapt as we go along our journey and modify our goals to adjust to the many challenges that come our way. I deeply believe in Second Acts for people who have been displaced by the elimination of their jobs after many years in a given field. All of my life I have had a passion for art and design and had never really pursued it until I found myself unexpectedly nudged into early retirement as I was approaching 60 and wondering what the heck happened to the career that I had given my life to as our Company was purchased and all of our operations were shut down. After a short adjustment period, I had determined that it was a blessing in disguise as it gave me the opportunity to focus on improving my health and developing a plan for what to do next. One day in August of 2011, as I sat at home bored to tears watching television, I saw an ad for the Art Institute of Michigan, which was adding a campus in Troy. Seeing the ad gave me the inspiration to call immediately and set up an appointment to check out the campus and look into financial aid and I was accepted as a freshman. It was the best decision of my life as I have found so much happiness pursuing my passion! I have completed my Associates Degree in Graphic Design and look forward to Graduation on September 21, 2013. I will continue working towards my Bachelor's Degree and will find an internship in the field, in addition to working on Campus for the Registrar's Office. At this time, I want to become a free lance designer and also work part time from home. I don't think that I ever really want to retire because what I have found during this second stage of my life is that I am so excited learning new things that my mind is always active and I look forward to every day of my life! It is not work when you are following your dreams!