Graduate turns her educational start at Midland College into path leading to law degree October 16, 2019

When Carissa Tarnowski graduated from Lee High School, she was ready to take off and see the world.

“Midland College was not my first choice,” Tarnowski admitted. “Enrolling there was a family decision. When I sat down and talked to my parents about college, they were thinking logically. I completed some dual credit through MC, so it would be easier and more economical for me to go there my first year.”

MC was more cost-effective for Tarnowski. She worked hard to earn good grades in order to keep renewing her scholarships and held a work-study job in the MC Public Relations office. She also balanced all that with a second job as a hostess at a local upscale restaurant after class and after MC offices had closed.

“Scholarships helped me immensely, and my work study job gave me a hands-on introduction to a career field I was interested in at the time,” said Tarnowski. “I thought I wanted a career in marketing, so I sought out the work study opportunity in the Public Relations office. Once hired, I helped format the monthly internal MC newsletter; I assisted with placing ads in the community; and I was part of the team that guided news crews on campus when they were filming stories. It was an eye opening experience, and it was fun.  I graduated with my associate degree in Business Administration in May 2011.” 

However, Tarnowski did not follow a career path in public relations. Instead she is in her last semester of law school at Southern Illinois University.

“I always knew Carissa was bound for big things,” said Mary Lopez, MC Public Relations Coordinator and Tarnowski’s former supervisor.  “She was very conscientious and always eager to take on new projects to help the team. She will make an excellent lawyer.”

“I guess it does make sense that I went on to become a lawyer because I have been obsessed with Law and Order since I was 12 years old,” joked Tarnowski. “I was a little nervous about all the schooling I would need to complete to become a lawyer, though. I did not think school was going to be for me, but after my experience starting out in higher education at MC, I became addicted to school and cannot get away from it. When I was in high school, teachers would always say, ‘We are trying to get you ready for college so do this and do that,’ but I do not think they prepared me at all. MC prepared me for my long-term college education and life in general.”

Tarnowski says MC stands out because of how much the faculty and staff care about the students.

“MC Professors work really hard to tailor lessons to all students, whether you need help understanding basic accounting or need to come in after hours to discuss a paper.,” stated Tarnowski.  “You are never just a seat in the classroom; you are somebody they want to see succeed.”

Tarnowski said that she thinks an education is important, and there is never a perfect time to dive in. It does not matter if you can attend college right out of high school like she did or 20 years from now after children go off to school and the nest is empty.

“Make the decision and go for it. MC can help the rest of the way,” said Tarnowski.  “MC worked out really great for me.  I think it is the best place to start. MC set me on a path I probably would not have gone on if I started at a major university.

“I transferred to Texas Tech to finish my undergraduate degree. During my final semester at Texas Tech, I was offered a position with a local non-foods distributor in the personnel and administration department. After six months as a member of the working community, I still desired more. I began taking online classes at Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri. By then my family had relocated to Columbia, Missouri, so I moved there and finished my MBA degree in 2014.

“I cannot imagine that I would have stayed focused if I went away to college right after high school. Being in small classes at MC taught me how to grow up. MC is very structured, and it lays a strong educational foundation. In hindsight, studying there was one of the best decisions I ever made even though I was apprehensive at first. I do not think I would be where I am today if I did not have that MC experience.”