Interview with Larissa Williams
by Vicki Heisser |
PWSC: Larissa, thank you so much for doing this interview, and congratulations to you and
your husband on your recent graduation from Prince William Sound College.
PWSC: So tell me a bit about yourself. Where are you from and what brought you to Valdez?
Larissa: I grew up in North Pole, Alaska, and graduated high school in 2004. I have lived in Alaska all but 4 years of my life. We moved to Valdez because of my husband’s job as a chiropractor for Arctic Chiropractic. I am a wife and mother of 3 growing boys. I am a massage therapist at Arctic Chiropractic and a paraprofessional with Valdez City Schools. I love music and I play the violin.
PWSC: What led you to choose PWSC for school?
Larissa: I chose PWSC because the convenience of being right around the corner with people I could talk face to face with. Even though I took all online classes, just knowing that I could go in and talk to my professors was what I felt would lead to my success.
PWSC: What motivated you to get your degree?
Larissa: The main motivation was having all these credits that would someday expire or not transfer. I spent good money and energy on those credits! I also knew I was so close and just needed to get it done.
PWSC: Since you are a working parent with a spouse who was also going to school, what have been some of your struggles going to school? How did you balance it all?
Larissa: One of my struggles of going to school was figuring out what classes I wanted to take. If I was going to pay for education, it had to be something I would enjoy. I think that is why it took me so many years to get my associate’s.
When I attended University of Alaska Fairbanks, I took mostly music classes. I did go to massage school and get my certificate, but I had several credits from University of Alaska Fairbanks and Brigham Young University - Idaho that I needed to do something with. That is why I chose to buckle down and get my degree. It was hard working full time, going to school full time, my husband working and going to school full time, having 3 very active boys that needed attention, and also the stress of using technology to accomplish my classes.
My boys were such good helpers and encouraged me. In order to balance it all, I had to plan ahead. If I could get a jump-start on a class, I did. I had my freezer stocked with meals that just needed to be put into the oven. I also am very grateful for my husband who also encouraged me and put up with my late nights and complaints.
PWSC: Did you have any mentors? Support outside of your family?
Larissa: Shannon Stites was a great mentor and listener. I could talk to her about my struggles
and she was there telling me I could do it. I really appreciated her time! Another
one of my supports was a fellow student and co-worker who was getting her associates
degree also. It was because of her that I even thought about going back to school.
We reminded and encouraged each other to keep going.
PWSC: How do you think your work ethic and pursuing your education has impacted your children?
Larissa: Doing your best in your education has always been something we have pushed with our children. Two of my three boys are very self-motivated and excel in their studies. My youngest is still learning those concepts. I wanted to show my boys that I strive to do my best and excel also. I did find that my boys appreciated me more when they saw the things I was doing for them. They were, for the most part, more willing to help when I asked for it.
PWSC: Any advice to working parents that are considering school?
Larissa: The only advice I can offer is, if you want to get more education, then do it!
PWSC: Do you have a particular mantra you say to yourself when things get tough that helps keep you motivated? Any stress reducers you’d care to share?
Larissa: Something that I kept telling myself was that I could do it. I had to remind myself that I only had to do one assignment at a time. When the stress got to be too much, I had to have a good cry, get a hug, take deep breaths, and continue on. Hugs from my boys and their encouragement helped me.
PWSC: Now that you’ve graduated, what’s next?
Larissa: I am not sure what is next. I am still trying to figure out what I want to do when
I grow up.
PWSC: Again, thanks for taking the time to do this interview, and congratulations on graduating!