Breaking Educational Barriers
In this episode of Unstoppable Stories, host Lauren Cardillo is joined by Andre Taylor, a network engineer, an Army veteran and a UMCG grad and first generation college graduate. to share his story聽on seeking higher education while actively serving in the military.
Andre opens up about dealing with various health issues, and how he has not let any diagnosis define his life. He discusses how important it is to focus on the accomplishments in your life and to not dwell on the dark moments in life.
His story is a testament to the power of dedication鈥攑roving that no matter where you are in life, you have the strength to build a bright and fulfilling future
Episode Information
Andre Taylor:
You're stronger than you know. So when in a difficult situation or any event that you feel stuck, lost. Confused down, hopeless. Just know that there's always an option to choose. Otherwise, if you don't spend that much time reveling in your accomplishments that you do in your failures, then you're doing something wrong.
Intro:
Welcome to the UMGC podcast Unstoppable Stories with your host, Lauren Cardillo.
Lauren Cardillo:
So today I'm joined by Andre Taylor, UMGC, grad Army Vet New homeowner. Welcome. So glad to have you here.
Andre Taylor:
Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here, Lauren.
Lauren Cardillo:
So the first time you and I met, I met you because there was a group of like six people with matching sweatshirts on.
Andre Taylor:
Yeah.
Lauren Cardillo:
Tell me about that and why they did it.
Andre Taylor:
That was, uh, was the 2023 grad walk. Yeah. My support system is, is uh, very loving and. They were also very strenuous during my academic journey, uh, to my bachelor's degree. So to celebrate the momentous occasion of, of me, um, achieving that degree and to, uh, express, I. Even more support when they hadn't always been the most supportive. They decided to surprise me and make those sweatshirts. Um, and it was a wonderful surprise. Honestly, I, I love every bit of it and it garnered us a significant amount of attention. Um, I, I received much more congratulations from strangers and, you know, caught the attention of, of you guys, and it made the day even more special like that. I can't begin to describe how over the moon I was. Participating in grad, grad walk.
Lauren Cardillo:
So for people who weren't there, like what did the shirts say? Who was there?
Andre Taylor:
Okay. Uh, so, um, my mother, my sister, my girlfriend at the time, her father, her mother, and her grandmother all came out to support me because as I mentioned, uh. During my educational journey, they were all pretty demanding of, of my time. Every last one of those people that I named. And so on the sweatshirt it said it's DRE day, and then it said UMGC grad, and then it had, uh, the year, which was 20, uh, 2023. So, um, and they were bright red and they, she actually, um, my girlfriend at the time, she designed the sweaters and she used UMG C'S colors, so that was even more special.
Lauren Cardillo:
Was that a surprise? Yeah. Did they all show up?
Andre Taylor:
Yeah. Uh, so she drove me to grad walk. She insisted. And so I was, we were parking and I got out of the vehicle. I turn around and my mom and my sister are standing there, so I'm already in shock 'cause I'm like, what are you doing here? My older sister. And then, um, I look at their sweatshirts and I'm like, oh. Wow. And then I turned back around. 'cause I, I told you, my girlfriend at the time, she uh, she drove me. She had one on too, but she didn't have one on while we were driving. So I was just in shock. And as we're walking in I'm like, okay, this is cool. Like my sister's here. What a nice surprise. She must have flew in and I don't know where she stayed. Maybe in the hotel or something. 'cause this is news. We we're walking up and her parents joined us and her father. Does not like to dress like anyone else. He doesn't like to wear the same clothes as anyone else. And he had on a sweatshirt. And that's when I knew that today, that day was gonna be special. I, I just, I felt it in my bones.
Lauren Cardillo:
How important was education at that point in your life when you were a kid?
Andre Taylor:
As a kid? Um, I would say that education always. Played a huge role in my life. Um, growing up one of of six siblings and a middle child, uh, you know, you often get the middle child syndrome where you're overlooked or at least you feel so, so, uh, I wasn't any more or less athletic than any of my siblings. You know, we were all pretty athletic, but playing sports at a competitive level, cost money. So I wondered just from around me what else I could do to not, not necessarily further distinguish myself, but to make an impact in life and in my life. And. I would say that moment came when I was about eight or nine years years of age. Uh, my mother, she worked and so sometimes my grandmother would, would babysit us and my grandmother was retired, but uh, she picked up a second job. I'm not sure if it was out of boredom or, or, or necessity that she would take us to work with her sometimes. Uh, so she worked cleaning offices, corporate offices, uh, after, after five.
And so we would go there and there'd be like candy dishes on the counter that, you know, as a kid you're interested in. And so, um, she said the people who worked there said, we can have some, so that's great. And I asked, well. If they told you this, but nobody's here. Where are the people who work here? You're at work. My mom's at work and she said that these people work in corporate America and she said the only certified way to get a job in corporate America is to go to school. And I was like, well, I'm in school. She said, no, I mean college. And so, uh, from about nine or 10 until I was about 11, I started to, or 12 rather, I started to look for. Avenues to get to college. I knew that you could go on an athletic scholarship, you could go on an academic scholarship, um, or you could join the military and, uh, threw the athlete part out the window pretty early. So, um, I really got engrossed in, in, in academia and learning. Um, and I knew that college was, uh, not something that I was going to choose to do, but something I felt I had to do.
Lauren Cardillo:
It wasn't just college because you also had this dream of like, the army, like being in the military.
Andre Taylor:
Well, that came along with the, the story that I just told you where, um, the avenues to college, uh, that I discovered were one either academically, athletically, or via the military. So, um, LA learned a little later in life, like in high school that. Some people were fortunate enough to have their parents pay. So, um, so, uh, with with those four mindsets, the military became an additional part of my collegiate. Journey. It was a way to ensure that school would be an affordable option for me that, um, was also viable.
Lauren Cardillo:
I remember you also saying to me that, you know, you had a, a vision as a little kid that you wanted to be a hero. So that, tell me about that.
Andre Taylor:
So actually I was a, a lot older than I, I, uh, was working, um, full-time while I was in high school. I worked 40 hours a week and, um. It was during the time when, uh, things were really ramping up in Iraq and Afghanistan for the United States. So we have recruiters everywhere. Um, and they would come to my job for lunch from, from my high school. 'cause it was, it was nearby. So, um, one day, uh, during my senior year, I. At the lunch rush, I ended up serving the four different recruiters there. There was a, a marine recruiter, an army recruiter, uh, an Air Force recruiter, and um, a Navy recruiter. And they're talking to me and they're just getting to know me and things like that. And they asked if I had any interest in joining the military and I said, yeah, I'm going to join the army. And. They're like, oh my God, why would you do that? Like the Army? Are you sure? And I had taken the as a at this time, so, uh, they were pretty impressed by, by my scores and things like that. And I said, yeah, yeah, I'm, I'm gonna join the Army because I, I wanted to be an American hero. And that's where that story came from. And I always feel bad about it because. It kind of signified that I didn't see, you know, airmen or sailors as, as heroes and I, I never meant it like that. It's just that, um, the parades of things that I saw, they were always celebratory of the Marines and, and soldiers and I just wanted to be a part of that legacy.
Lauren Cardillo:
So American hero to you meant what then? Like what was your definition?
Andre Taylor:
A service to my country and a potentially dangerous situation that if you survive. By the, by the grace of the powers that be, you know, whoever it is that you believe in. I believe in in God, um, that if you survive, the things that you will learn from that are, aren't something you can discover in a book. So, um, and the ability to impart that wisdom onto others is a gift onto itself. And so that's what I understood a hero to be. Someone who would make a sacrifice knowingly. Um. And, and potentially lose all that mattered to them for the sake of those next to them, uh, behind them and in front of them.
Lauren Cardillo:
That, that's like really profound. I don't mean that in a laughable way, but I mean, you know, that's a really deep look at what to think that at 17.
Andre Taylor:
You're right, I was only 17 years of age. So, uh, I mean that's just, it's just what I saw and what I felt and what I believed. Um. From experiences. Um, at 12, I was in the Civil Air patrol, which is, uh, it's like the J-R-O-T-C, but it's for the Air Force, and I could have very well joined the Air Force. Um, um, I came in with a, a little bit of, of rank or know responsibility, and I just, I don't know, I just never felt that connection. Um, and, and again, and it's not to say that our, our airmen or and sailors aren't, but, uh, anybody who. Wants to join a, a branch of the US military. I, I power to them. Um, and uh, I just hope they understand the weight and the gravity that it means regardless of which uniform they wear.
Lauren Cardillo:
I just have to jump back for a second. I. You worked a 40 hour job high school. What were you, what were you doing?
Andre Taylor:
Um, so I worked at Arby's and I was a shift leader. Yeah. I love, I love that place. I started there when I was old enough to work in South Carolina. I, I believe the age was 15, is how old you can be to work. And, um, so I worked there for two years and. I worked my behind off in school as well, so in my senior year I only needed four classes to graduate. And so, and that was for the entire school year. And then they said that I couldn't. Graduate in the winter for some reason. Like it was just like something I wasn't allowed to do. So I had to stretch those four classes out over the school year. So it would take, uh, two classes one semester and two classes another semester. Um, and it just left the afternoon open. So I, I went to work.
Lauren Cardillo:
So go fast forward then. You join the Army?
Andre Taylor:
Yes. Yes, I did.
Lauren Cardillo:
Okay. And what was that like? Did it sort of fit into what you had imagined?
Andre Taylor:
Um, would, would I say it was what I imagined or was it everything I imagined and more? Hmm. It was, it was an experience. Uh, I, I like to wrap up my experience, um, about the, uh, military or the Army rather, with this one saying, if I had to do it all over again, I would. Um, and I, and I don't know if that surmises or answers the question, uh, as thoroughly as, as it could, but, um, I, I hope it, um, gives way to like, I. Just to the experience, the momentous occasion. I do, however, have a note that I probably would've joined the Air Force knowing what I know now. So, so those Air Force veterans, uh, and retirees, I get it. And current current service members, but, um. Yeah, actually it was, I chose the job that I wanted to do. I knew where I wanted to go after the military. I knew what I wanted to learn, uh, and I was fortunate for, to have a career that was going to pay me to learn how to do what I wanted to do. So I, I took all of those things, not as liberties, but as stepping stones, you know? I mean, here's an organization or company. You can look at the army however you want to, to. Section of the US government, but here's an organization that says, I think the slogan at the time was be all. You can be. I now I'm gonna be aging myself, but, but, uh, but uh, be all you can be.
Um, and. I wanted to, and I, I researched, and you know, it's in the early days of the, the internet, so, uh, things weren't how they are now. There was no, well, was Google a thing? I think it was, yeah, I think it was. Um. But I, I looked up the jobs and I chose the career that I wanted to do, which, um, at the time it's a 25 Bravo, it was an information systems operator, analyst. And so you listen to that title and it sounds so long, but it, it was because you did everything. I, uh, did a little bit of a computer analytics and like. The cybersecurity analyst types of things. I ran a help desk. I did a lot of network administration and network engineering, and this was all at the beheads of the army. They paid for me to get certifications. Um, you know, we go through, uh, training in a IT and another one of those bonuses is that when I enrolled to UMGC, those pieces of, of life or life lessons end. You know, non-traditional education, uh, uh, bits counted towards my degree. And so I wasn't starting off from ground zero and feeling, and I didn't have a feeling like I wasted my time.
I, I didn't feel like I'm so much further behind another college freshman because my actual. Real life experience mattered to UMGC and they evaluated that and gave me, uh, college credit so that, that much I appreciated.
Lauren Cardillo:
Yeah. You were being rewarded for what you had already done. Yeah. You know, so where did you find UMGC?
Andre Taylor:
People sometimes have funny stories about, you know, I was standing like on an airfield, but on like, it's, it's honestly kind of like that. I was stationed at, uh, um, Kandahar Air Force Base, uh, out in Kandahar, Afghanistan at Kandahar Province of Afghanistan. Excuse me. And, uh. I just got back from a, a mission, I don't know, maybe like the day before and I was just walking down the street to go get some chow and there was a lady standing outside and she was just standing out in the, in the heat. I'm like, what is this lady doing? And uh, I usually like, ah, don't make eye contact with them. Whatever they're selling, you don't want. And so, um, I, I think I heard her. Say something about college or she might have mentioned at the time it was, uh, university of Maryland. Uh, university, college, I think UMUC. Yeah. And, uh, she, she said college and also was like, well, you know, tuition's assistance and this, that, and the third and just. Caught my ear and I stopped and we just had a, a very pleasant con conversation and she asked, was I currently enrolled? Had I considered it? And I was like, yeah, you know, um, it's just really hard to manage college out here in the middle of a combat zone. You know, like most schools aren't offering any global education or, you know, um, distance learning. That it's also, uh, accredited. You know, that was important to me too. I wanted my degree to have weight and to mean something. And so she just told me a little bit about the history of, of UMUC or UMGC, excuse me, and, uh, asked if I wanted to come inside and, and hear more.
'cause it was, it was pretty hot. I'm not, could lie. So we went in and we sat down and she showed me how they accepted the um. The tuition assistance that's offered by the Army and, uh, the way that the courses were broken down to. And as long as you had an access, access to a computer, you'd be able to do your coursework from anywhere in the world. And that they had, uh, actual facilities and teachers and places like Korea and, you know, obviously she was out there in Afghanistan. So that was a another proof point that I was just amazed and in awe by, um, and so I, I walked out of. That room feeling like this was my chance, this was my moment to, to earn my degree in a way that made me feel accomplished. You know, that I, that I, that I didn't have some piece of paper that I felt like I paid for. Uh, another thing that I learned from, from her and my experience is that my teachers were. Reachable and they were an actual resource, and they were human people like myself that you could converse with and, um, uh, have discussion with.
And it was so similar to an actual brick and mortar college experience that I, I don't know. I, I just always wonder what would happen if I. Walked down that same street and really did try not to engage with her. I'm, I'm just grateful that, uh, like I said, that opportunity came. Well, what, what is it? It was that saying about, um, opportunities when luck and preparation meet. Yeah. Um, so I don't know. I was just lucky. Very fortunate.
Lauren Cardillo:
How, how hard was it to do classes in a war zone while deployed?
Andre Taylor:
Oh, so. It was difficult. Um, I signed up for, I think, the introduction to research class that's like mandatory within the first few hours. And that class is, um, it's not a, you know, extremely challenging class. I just wanna make sure you have a good grasp on expectations and that you're ready and prepared to, to function and. Thrive in the environment of distance learning and I flunked it. So, um, unfortunately, um. And it wasn't that my, my professor wasn't understanding. Um, I just, at poor time management, um, you know, uh, sometimes the internet would go out or you're on a mission and things like that, but these types of things can be conveyed to you. And it's stated in the syllabus, you know, they, they know we come from all walks of life and that we could be anywhere at any time in the world.
And, uh, the biggest part. Of distance learning education. And one of the things that I think that UMGC has, uh, impacted significantly in my life is communication and how important and meaningful it is. A lot of times in my life, I've, I've spent being a, a loner or just, you know, off, off on my own. And, uh, having a sense of community and communicating with that community, uh, is imperative and I learned that from failing introduction to, to research that if I would've just spoken with my professor and told them what was going on, I wouldn't have had to take a, a f or a failure to complete, I think. 'cause I, I had just missed so many assignments without communication that I got an F in. Um, and so it was just a, a learned lesson.
Um, and then, uh. It was a harder lesson to learn while I was active duty because I wasn't paying for it. You know? Um, if you failed from tuition's assistance, you don't have to repay that money, but if you like, withdraw or there had other criteria, um, that'll affect you, you would, uh, you would've to pay that money back. So, so again, here I am, this young 18, almost 19-year-old kid, uh, not really taking it serious, focused on. Staying alive and avoiding the bombs more so than, uh, communicating with my teacher. But even then, that wasn't an excuse because like I said, the, the level of support that, um, is given can only be used by those who are willing to take the offering. So it was a, it was, it was tough, but it was easier. Then I made it, if that makes sense.
Lauren Cardillo:
But it was a, it was a necessary failure. I mean, that sounds crazy, but no, where, where else did you take classes besides Afghanistan? Or did you go online and take classes?
Andre Taylor:
Yeah, so, um, oh, I was on a, geez. After Afghanistan, I moved to Nebraska for a short time, and then got, uh, relocated to Guam. So, uh, from Nebraska to Guam. And then here in Maryland is where I, I finished the bulk of my coursework. However, I, I think I. Did mention that, uh, the people around me, my support system had a very high demand on my time. They were very, very active in knowing that I had college courses to do so. I also did, uh, a significant amount of work on a cruise ship. I know surprising as it may be. It was, um, also, um, the last. The last two weeks of class bef like it was, the crews went between the last two weeks of class. So there were some pretty important assignments that needed to be turned in. So, uh, again, communicating with my professors, um, explaining the situation and then doing a little bit of prep work ahead of time, uh, made it easier. But, but I still had to spin at least. Three to four hours on that ship, you know, clicking away. So, um, that, that was beautiful.
Lauren Cardillo:
And they're knocking on your door, right?
Andre Taylor:
Like, Hey, it's, it's, it's time for margaritas. And I'm like, no, it's not. I got work to do. I'll see you guys in a couple hours.
Lauren Cardillo:
But you also had some things to overcome. I mean, remember you telling me like you found out you were a diabetic, right?
Andre Taylor:
Yeah.
Lauren Cardillo:
And then you also. Yeah. What's the word? Diagnosed with like PTSD? Yes. At one point. Yes. So how did that all figure in and how did those things make you feel? I mean, those could be very, um, negative impact on you, you know, and not make you wanna go, like, pursue this.
Andre Taylor:
The way that I found out that I had diabetes is I, I got sick, um, and I was sick for three months maybe. Um. And I just, I felt defeated. I just, I didn't have the strength to get up in the morning, let alone do my schoolwork. And I, I barely, and I was going into work daily. At that time, I wasn't in a hybrid or a remote role, so I was traveling about 45 minutes. It was actually an hour and a half. When traffic was bad, I would double the commute time daily. You know, that's one way. So it's an hour and a half down, an hour and a half back, sick, not knowing, um, why, uh, I felt the way that I felt. And then on top of that, having to do, or having the desire to do school because I had come so far, but not having the Energy or the mental capacity at the time to, to do it. You know, the, the, the sicker I got, uh, the harder it was to participate in, in class, and I want to say two weeks before I was hospitalized, I just, I wanted to quit. I was, I was done. Um, I was a year and a half away from. Completing all of the requirements that I needed for my bachelor's degree, and I just, I felt awful.
Um, and like you mentioned, having PTSD, uh, it comes with, with some people who have depression and anxiety, and so I just felt, I wouldn't say, um, like a, like a, a loser, but more like a lost cause. Like it, it was insurmountable that there was nothing I could do to overcome the situation. And, uh, I, I was in project management at the time. And my professor, she reached out, you know, and she was, was like, Hey, like you missed an assignment last week. Like, you haven't missed anything this entire time. Like, what's going on? And I, I, I took that as a sign and then so did my girlfriend at the time. Um, I ended up going to her urgent care and that's when I found out that I was diabetic.
Um, I got hospitalized for a week and a half. Um, and I, uh, orated. Some emails from my, uh, girlfriend to send out to my professors, and they were super understanding and I was able to, to finish those assignments and, uh, go. Going to the hospital obviously alleviated all of the symptoms that I had. So now I'm, I'm on the sunny side of things and I, I just, I felt like I had so much to look forward to and I was even more determined at, at that point to, uh, to finish.
Mentally, I feel resilient because. I could have stopped, you know? Um, and that one professor, she just reached out and it, it stirred something in me. Yeah, I, I've come this far and I caught myself saying this too shall pass. Like, whatever I'm feeling, whatever I'm going through, it will end. Um, and it's up to me as to how that end will come with the degree in my hand or with nothing to show for all of the work.
Lauren Cardillo:
If there was a lesson in there, you know, someone else hearing this story, what would it be?
Andre Taylor:
What would you tell them aside from reiterating that this too shall pass, is that you're stronger than, you know? We aren't made of the things that we don't have. We are made of the choices that we are faced with. So when in a difficult situation, I. Or any event that you feel stuck, lost, confused, down, hopeless, just know that there's always an option to choose otherwise. 'cause this too shall path. That's the only lesson I, I think I, I can give, is to, to not dwell in the dark moments longer than you would in those bright ones. If you don't spend that much time reveling in your accomplishments that you do in your failures, then you're doing something wrong.
Lauren Cardillo:
You end up then with, was it a double major? A couple certificates. I mean, you totally nailed it. Yeah. So I mean, how did that make you feel after everything?
Andre Taylor:
I feel like a standout, uh, you know, uh, there's another saying, why blend in when you can stand out, why choose to. Uh, be like everyone else. And I know socially us as people, a lot of times it's a def not a survival mechanism, right? Where in order to survive you want to be like those around you. But sometimes blending in doesn't do anyone any FLA favors. Um, and you never know what your story can do or can change in someone else's life. And so trying to, to blend in and or mask that, uh, can, um, can possibly di someone else's light and not just yours. So, uh, looking into UMCs programs, I realized that hey, if I did this additional coursework in, uh, Lou with the stuff that I've already done, I could actually accomplish. Having completed two different majors.
And so I talked to my advisor about it and she was just like, yeah, sure. And then, um, I didn't intend on, uh, the certificate, but I actually, uh, inadvertently, I think I made I out of the. 12 courses that you needed for the certificate. I had completed 11. And so I was like, oh, I'll just go over here and take this one other class. And so, um, and it was just, it was just more so of, of, of, of putting in that, putting in the work. Like I was very selective, selective about the coursework that I did do because, you know, um, in college you get options. There's some pieces that are just like one set path where thug. Uh, major has a capstone or, or a specific requirement. And then there are other ones that are kind of, not necessarily electively, but uh, you can choose between ethical hacking or enterprise management, right. In a, in a STEM major. And a lot of the things that interested me also aligned with the, with the certificate. But, uh, it wasn't just like, oh, I went to go be an information systems major and Information systems management major, and um, I got a certificate. Like, no, I had to take some extra steps and do a little bit of extra work to accomplish it, and it was worth it to me.
Lauren Cardillo:
So now you're out.
Andre Taylor:
Mm-hmm.
Lauren Cardillo:
Now you're out. And what did, what did, what did all those programs and certificates do for you in the business world? What was your next path?
Andre Taylor:
So. Uh, while I was at UMGC, I was, uh, I think my job title was, um, it was the information technology, something of a of another. And once I graduated, I actually got a job offer as a network engineer. Um, so having that certificate and having my bachelor's degree actually got me into the, a level of it that I was passionate about, right? So a lot of people get into the technology field, uh, field, and they don't really know what they wanna do. Or they go to college and say, I want to be a STEM major, which we know stands for Science, technology, engineering, and Math. Two of the things that I'm very passionate about are engineering and math.
And, uh, I never realized how. In line or ne necessary, uh, a college degree was to be an engineer. And, um, I just feel accomplished, honestly, like, just, uh, professionally, personally, um, spec specifically professionally. Uh, being able to be a network engineer now, uh, is, is almost a, a, a dream come true. Um, there's other facets of engineering, especially in the technology realm that I'm interested in. Um, and in that note. I'm actually going to go back to UMGC for my master's. So I was looking somewhere between, uh, cybersecurity and systems engineering, and I'm leaning, uh, much, much more to, uh, master's in systems engineering. And, uh, I'm, I'm just excited about the opportunity to, to learn more to, to graduate and, uh.
See what comes next. Because after earning my bachelor's degree and becoming a network engineer, I'm just like, oh man, the, the sky's the limit. Anything's possible.
Lauren Cardillo:
Do you have a dream job? You know the one, like in five years, you go, that's where I wanna be.
Andre Taylor:
Yeah. I used, I used to have a dream job and I wonder if, if it's so much more of my dream now or just. Something that I desire, but I used to want to be a a C-Suite executive, specifically a CEO or a CIO. And, um, I've learned that I have more interest in being a chief information officer than a chief Executive one. Uh, they, it's just to business involved and, um, I just, I love. Everything there is to love about, uh, technology. And so being able to, to plan or strategize how an organization uses, uh, it, or leverages it to, uh, enhance not only their business but the lives of the people that they serve, is, is something that, uh, I look forward to being able to do one day.
Lauren Cardillo:
So you've made it to the corporate world?
Andre Taylor:
Yes.
Lauren Cardillo:
With the candy dishes. Are there candy dishes?
Andre Taylor:
Oh, not on my desk. No. I should probably get one.
Lauren Cardillo:
You should. You should have an honorary candy dish.
Andre Taylor:
Yeah, I should. You know, that's a good point. I, it could be, you know. I find out I had diabetes, you know, I kind of cut sugar out a whole lot. So, uh, but that doesn't mean I can't have like sugar free candy or something.
I, that, you know, it's a possibility.
Lauren Cardillo:
I love it. So you've also re achieved for a kid who grew up like with, you know, five siblings, the American dream. Yeah. You have, you have, you have your own home.
Andre Taylor:
Yeah.
Lauren Cardillo:
So tell me about that moment where you realized I can buy a house. How that felt.
Andre Taylor:
It was, it was a combination of things. It wasn't just being able to purchase this home, but it was being able to purchase the home as a college graduate. That, that, I don't know. I, I, I've never even tried to sum this into words honestly. Wow. Uh. Like even right now, like my heart is just like full is pounding out of my, my chest. I, I reflect on the moment often. Um, oftentimes when I wake up and I'm here and I, I think of how impossible it felt. Um, I. At a young age, you not, you know, never having seen it, not knowing in my immediate family, a college graduate, I'm, I'm the first of my immediate family, um, to graduate college. My grandmother didn't, and my father didn't, and my mother didn't. Uh, none of my other siblings have so. It wasn't just an accomplishment for myself, but to show my nieces and nephews, uh, what was possible and attainable. So I think carrying all of that gives me the sense of, of fullness, joy, um, and, um, gives me another feeling it of go get him. I, I don't know, motivation, I guess is a better way to say that. I just feel motivated to live for more than just myself. Um, seeing how this is possible and, and to keep, uh, dreams like this alive. You know, they, I mean they, like you mentioned, it's the American dream, right? To be a homeowner. Uh, for some people being a college grad isn't, but, uh, for many of us it is. And to be able to accomplish both, uh, there's no sense of. Word that can give to the fulfillment and joy that I feel.
Lauren Cardillo:
Andre, I loved hearing your story. I loved hearing how you went from like, you know, 12-year-old kid to like your dream. So thank you for sharing with that the story. Thank you for being unstoppable stories and for those people out there listening or watching, don't forget to subscribe. And like our podcast, we have one coming out every two weeks and we'd love to see you again. Thanks so much for being here.
Andre Taylor:
Oh, thank you for having me. It was a pleasure.