A Family Affair: Mother finds career path, sets example for her children

In 2011, Heidi Monteith found herself in a challenging position. After spending 20 years as a stay-at-home mom to raise her children, she was going through a divorce and could not find a job that would pay a livable wage. She spent the next five years juggling part-time jobs and struggling to make enough money to support herself and her children.

After learning about the American Opportunity Tax Credit, a credit for education expenses for eligible students offered by the IRS, and the availability of student loans, the West Chicago resident began to envision possibilities for her future. Discovering opportunities for Computer Automated Design drafters and kitchen designers at a job fair, she made the decision to enroll in the Interior Design program at COD.

"The clouds parted, and I knew what I wanted to do," she said. "I had been designing dream homes in my head all my life but had never thought of getting paid for it. I immediately signed up for the 2017 summer session at COD."

As it turned out, the timing was perfect. While her daughter Roxane Johnson had been taking general education classes at COD, she also was looking for a career path.

"When I graduated from high school, I was working in restaurants and didn't really know what I wanted to do, except that I didn't want to keep doing that for the rest of my life," she said. "I didn't have extra money to spend on a four-year school when I didn't even know what I was going for. I've lived near COD my whole life, and most of my family had attended at one point or another; it was a natural transition. I started taking general education classes to see what I liked."

While Johnson initially was thinking of earning a degree in business or accounting, a job in accounting/HR at a small business led to the discovery that a desk job wasn't for her. She started looking at health sciences and found the College's Dental Hygiene program.

Johnson said she loved the experience of completing her degree concurrently with her mom.

"I couldn't be more proud of her," she said. "I'm so glad she has finally found something that she enjoys and that will also make a productive career path for her. For me, it was a huge motivation. If ever there was a moment where I was second-guessing myself or my abilities, I would think of her and remember how far we'd come and know that I could do it. One of my brothers and my sister also attended COD at the same time, though they have not graduated yet. Just knowing we were all going through it together at our own paces and being able to help my mom and my sister with things like registering and picking classes, as well as setting a positive example, really helped to keep me focused."

Monteith said that while there was little overlap between the programs the family members were enrolled in, there was still plenty of opportunity for them to offer each other support.

"While I was in Interior Design, Roxane was in Dental Hygiene, my other daughter is taking general education classes toward being a physician's assistant and my son is taking welding classes," she said. "Nonetheless, we all managed to support each other. I supported my daughter by being one of her patients for her lab classes. My son supported me by pitching in and helping with the welding when my partner in Furniture Design stopped showing up. We traded experiences about favorite teachers and passed textbooks along for some of the general education classes."

Johnson, a resident of Glen Ellyn, plans to complete her bachelor's degree but wants to gain experience working as a dental hygienist before returning to school. She said that while she knew COD had a very good Dental Hygiene program, there were other benefits that went beyond the classroom.

"The flexibility, as well as the relatively low costs really made the difference for me," she said. "The ability to choose any teacher or class time that worked for me was invaluable. I was able to continue working and save money while getting to know myself as a person and as a student, so that when the right opportunity came up, I knew I would have the skills needed to recognize it and jump in with both feet. I also have had so many wonderful teachers and classmates over the years and they truly helped to form me as a student and a person."

Nominated for Outstanding Graduate for 2020, Monteith completed 90 credits at COD since enrolling in the Interior Design program in 2017, earning her A.A.S. in Interior Design, as well as three certificates: Kitchen and Bath Design, Interior Design Computer Applications and Interior Lighting. No stranger to COD, she has taken a broad range of classes at the College over the last 30 years, including courses in dance, Japanese, massage, music, sewing and theater. Like Johnson, Monteith also gained critical benefits by attending COD.

"Classes offered day and night allowed me to work while attending school," she said. "Financial Aid allowed me to finish a degree and three certificates in three years; it would otherwise have taken several more years, and once you know what you want to do, who wants to wait around for years to start doing it. Also, becoming a design student enabled me to find paid internships and part-time jobs in the industry that paid 50 to 100 percent more than what I had been earning before becoming a student. Now that I have graduated, I'm confident that I will be earning significantly more than that. Because of my education at College of DuPage, I have marketable skills that I can bring to any company and that makes me a valuable asset."

Monteith also took advantage of many leadership opportunities at the College and served as vice president of the student chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. She also advised students seeking LEED Green Associate certification and tutored students in CADD.

"The leadership opportunities I had at COD allowed me to reach back and lift up others who may be struggling," she said. "They made it easier to see things from someone else's perspective and instilled a sense of gratitude for the many blessings I have received. I am by nature kind of a loner, so it is hard for me to get involved in group activities. The industry organizations within the department gave me opportunities to meet and work with people, which is totally out of my comfort zone."

Monteith said that in addition to her professional goals, COD enabled her to achieve her personal goals as well.

"I wanted to set an example for my kids and grandkids that, one, it is never too late to make a change. Two, they should never let themselves be stuck in a bad situation because of money. And three, if you want something, you need to be willing to work hard and make sacrifices to attain it," she said. "I feel like there were times when I was not able to provide everything I wanted to for my kids and times when I didn't set the example I wished to. I hope that this accomplishment will mitigate some of my shortcomings in their eyes. I know I am very proud of Roxane and how hard she has worked for this. All of my kids have had jobs since they were 13 or 14 years old and it shows now in their determination to succeed."