Shawnisa Estep goes by “Birdie,” a nickname that reflects her love of animals and the personal journey she is embracing as a Riverhawk at Anne Arundel Community College.
"I just separated from the Navy after almost 13 years and I'm a full-time college student,” Estep said. For her, being a Riverhawk and “spreading her wings” means welcoming the newfound freedom of civilian life while rediscovering her passions on campus.
Like other student veterans, the transition from military service to student life is an adjustment. However, her time in the Navy prepared her well. The discipline and structure she developed during her service help her tackle 8 a.m. classes and stay focused on her academic goals, which include transferring to UMD after graduation.
“Working from something that was so structured for so long, everything was kind of set out for me. The time to get up with time to eat … I had such a huge structure. I'm figuring that out and trying to find different ways of coping with the change.”
Part of that change includes evaluating her current skill set and discovering a career that better aligns with who she wants to become. Her military background is in engineering, but an internship at an aquarium revealed her true passion.
“I absolutely love animals,” Estep said. “So, I decided to pursue my dreams in order to open up my own farm and take care of these animals.” Estep wasn’t accepted at the University of Maryland, so she is working on her transfer studies degree at AACC. At UMD, “the plan is to get a degree in animal science,” she said. “They have an on-campus farm.”
Although the shift hasn’t been easy, Estep approaches challenges with positive energy and determination.
“I am proud of starting this college journey. This is my first experience as a civilian adult, so taking this step was a big accomplishment for me.”
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