Cameron Feathers, Biotechnology student

Cameron Feathers knows the challenges of balancing family life. She also spent a decade dedicated to a grueling career as an EMT participating in search and rescue, canine search and technical rescues. Those challenges, however, pale in comparison to what she calls "the hardest work of her life" as an NCC biotechnology major.

"I had a great career, but I was working 90 hours a week just to make a living. I have a seven-year-old stepdaughter, and my partner and I decided that it would be better if I went back to school and helped to provide a better life for her," Feathers recalls. "I did a lot of research before I came here and decided what I wanted to do. The chemistry department here is amazing. I've never had to work this hard in my entire life."

Prior to enrolling at NCC, Feathers already planned on eventually transferring to a four-year school that would accept her community college credits. What she found, however, is that NCC is not only providing her with the foundation for her education, but is providing an education that is comparable to any academic institution she'll eventually move on to. Less than one full semester into the program, her hard work already started to pay off when she was recommended for an internship at Sanofi.

"There are some tremendous professors here, and the professor who recommended me is also my advisor," says Feathers. "The internship was a valuable experience. I have friends who are actually in other universities asking me for help because of the experience I'm getting through this program. "

Like many who return to college after experiencing a life or career change, Feathers finds herself taking college more seriously than she may have ten years ago. Now that the prerequisite courses are out of the way, all of the students in the program are showing great concentration. Their dedication is a quality that Feathers truly appreciates at this stage of the game.

"It focuses you. My goal isn't just to get through this semester. My goal is to graduate at the time that I originally planned," says Feathers.

Feathers also notices how her own education has made an impact on the youngest member of her household. Instead of turning on the TV, her stepdaughter will sit and read children's book while Feathers concentrates on her homework.  She also keeps tabs on Feathers' testing schedule.

"I had an organic chemistry test, and she saw how hard I was studying," says Feathers. "She knew when our grades were due back, and she asked me what I got on my test. When I told her, she hung my test up next to her spelling test. She recognizes that that's what you do when you have an accomplishment."

As far as future accomplishments are concerned, Feathers is currently working on a group credit research project that involves the study of how caffeine affects the human body. The findings will eventually be on display in NCC's Penn Hall. Feathers is also dreaming beyond college, and thinking about how her work will one day impact another type of research field.

"I would love to get into marine microbiology...specifically working with shark microbiology," admits Feathers. "I'll end up going somewhere with it. It's just a matter of where. My family has a choice and a say in it, too."