There’s an old saying that goes “Man makes plans and God laughs.” Life is full of unexpected curveballs. We have ambitions, we have plans, and sometimes things happen that make us put those plans on hold. When you’re ready to pick up where you left off, it’s never too late to continue your education. For students like Sonja Tom, a hard-working single mother, enrolling at Rio Salado College gave her the knowledge and skills she needed to make a big career change.
Originally from Chillithtah, New Mexico— a small reservation just outside of Gallup— Tom's family moved to Arizona when she was 7 years old. She is the first member of her family to attend college.
Tom’s early ambitions were geared toward a career in medicine. "My aspiration was to enter the medical field and become a doctor, which led me to start my healthcare career at the age of 15, volunteering at my grandmother's nursing home." Tom had to take a break from education after becoming a single mother, focusing her efforts on work while also being a full-time parent. She felt ready to continue pursuing her education as her son got older.
“As he became more independent, I reached a point where returning to school felt both possible and necessary,” Tom said. “I wanted to do more for myself, set an example for my son, and pursue a future I had always envisioned.”
That desire for a brighter future led her to Rio Salado College. Tom credits the college’s flexibility, affordability, and accessibility for compelling her to enroll.
“I chose Rio Salado because it aligned well with my life and responsibilities,” said Tom. “Rio’s flexible online format allowed me to balance my education with my family and professional commitments without sacrificing quality or progress.”
That scheduling flexibility is especially important for Tom as her son has a very active soccer schedule she has to stay available for.
When asked what it was like to learn from home, Tom emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of self-discipline and motivation.
“I had to be intentional about creating structure and dedicated study time in order to succeed,” Tom said.
For other students who are embracing remote learning for the first time, she has this piece of advice for them: “Finding environments that help you focus such as libraries, coffee shops, or quiet study spaces truly can make a huge difference. For me, renting a cubicle at the civic center allowed me to fully ‘lock in’ and separate school from home responsibilities. It is also important to take breaks when needed and recognize that balance is key to avoiding burnout.”
Tom is on track to graduate in May, completing an associate degree program in political science. This choice in degree program marks a major change in her aspirations from her early dreams of entering medicine. After 19 years of working in the medical field, her true passion now is for legal advocacy.
“One of my long-term goals is to work for organizations such as the ACLU,” Tom said. “I am particularly interested in finding meaningful ways to intersect international advocacy with Indigenous legal work.”
Tom currently works at a law firm as a litigation clerk and is on track to take her paralegal certification and advance into a paralegal role. She is dual-enrolled at ASU and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice with an emphasis in social justice and human rights. Her long-term academic goal is to earn a master’s degree in legal studies and attend a law school with a focus on international and indigenous law.
Tom’s journey is a testament to the life-changing possibilities that education can offer. She credits Rio with helping her open doors that led her to where she is now.
“Rio Salado played a significant role in my academic and personal growth,” Tom said. ”Through the people I met, the clubs I joined, and the academic environment, I broadened my perspective and gained confidence in my abilities. Perhaps most importantly, Rio showed me that I am not alone and many students are returning to school later in life or pursuing a second career. It reinforced that it is never too late to start something new as long as you stay committed to finishing.”
Article by Austin Brietta