A community of support, stories, and resources for lifelong learning
We know the power of learning is universal, and every path to education and career success is unique. That’s why we’re launching the My Success campaign today, to focus on the many paths that can be taken to achieve success.Listen in as CEO Marten Roorda and Chief Officer for the ACT Center for Equity in Learning, Jim Larimore, introduce the campaign and share how you can get involved.
Want to inspire others with your story? Take a look at Jim’s journey to find success below and then visit the quick share form to share yours!
1.) What does education and workplace success mean to you?
To me, education and workplace success means that every person has equitable access to the relationships, resources, support and learning opportunities that they need to explore their interests, discover and realize their potential, overcome the current challenges in their lives, and go on to lead healthy, satisfying and productive lives.
2.) How has working at ACT helped you define your own version of success?
At ACT I work every day with a diverse group of colleagues who aren't content with simply changing the odds, but who want to reinvent the game—to ensure that all people have equitable opportunities to learn and grow, and demonstrate what they can do. As a career educator, joining ACT has helped me engage with innovators, researchers and others who are also working to create greater equity and opportunity on a national and international scale.
3.) Why do you think learning is so powerful in helping people achieve success?
My siblings and I were fortunate to have opportunities to learn that our parents were denied in their own lifetimes, and we were raised to believe that learning and education were both the key to success, and the guarantee that we'd have a choice and a voice about our own futures. Since I've always hated people telling me what I cannot do, the notion that education was linked to freedom and personal sovereignty meant a lot to me.
4.) What is your favorite quote or song that keeps you motivated to achieve success?
One of the bedtime songs I sang to my sons when they were younger is Ben E. King's R&B classic, "Stand By Me." I want them to grow up knowing that they are loved and never alone. And I'm inspired every day by a Nelson Mandela quote that urges us not to shy away from big challenges—"It always seems impossible, until it's done."
5.) What helps you when you hit a bump on your journey to success?
I take a breath and remember my ancestors, and think about the ways I am connected to them and to all Creation. I take strength in the knowledge that people prayed for me to have the opportunity to confront the challenges in my journey, and that I simply need to do my part to continue the work of creating a more just, peaceful and equitable world, one step at a time.
6.) Who would you like to thank for helping you along your journey to success?
My parents and ancestors, my siblings and extended family, my English teacher and school counselor from junior high school, and others who have been mentors and presented me with opportunities I never could have imagined.
7.) Is there anything else you'd like to share to help others achieve education and workplace success?
It took me a long time to realize that it was OK to ask for help, or to ask questions that would help fill in the gaps of my knowledge about study skills, choosing a major or career path, how to pay for college and how the number of hours I worked affected financial aid and the time I had available to study. So my advice is to find one or more people to ask about how things work, what options you can consider, and how they—given what they know now—would approach things if they were in your shoes. You'll be surprised at how many people want to help.
Visit mysuccess.act.org to join a community of support, stories and resources for lifelong learning, to encourage and inspire others navigating their journeys. Be sure to share your story on social using #MyStoryMySuccess.
About My Success
Success is as unique as a fingerprint—and so is the journey to achieve it. The My Success campaign was created to provide a community of support, stories and resources for lifelong learning, to encourage and inspire individuals navigating their journey to find success. Join our community of support and share your story of success by using #MyStoryMySuccess or visiting mysuccess.act.org.
About ACT
We’re a mission-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success. We started the My Success campaign to provide students, parents, counselors and advocates with information and tools to help them along their unique journeys to and through college and career. We believe in the power of learning and are excited to share the amazing stories of students and advocates like you.
About the ACT Center for Equity in Learning
We aim to help underserved learners and working learners (individuals who are employed while also learning new skills in pursuit of greater success) achieve education and career success.
Through purposeful investments, employee engagement, and thoughtful advocacy efforts, the Center for Equity in Learning supports innovative partnerships, initiatives, campaigns, and programs that help young people succeed in education and the workplace.
