Scott Dobson attended classes with College & Career Readiness at Western Nevada College from April 2023 until June 2024. During this time, he successfully passed all sections of the HiSET high school equivalency exam and earned the Nevada Certificate of High School Equivalency.

Upon completion, Scott expressed a strong interest in continuing his education through WNC’s Automotive Technology program. He was connected with our Career Services specialist, who helped him transition into college, and he is now thriving as a WNC student.

Here is his story:

Background and Motivation
“I dropped out of school when I was about 14 or 15 years old. There wasn’t a lot of family guidance or support around education growing up — my parents didn’t finish school either, although they both eventually earned their high school equivalencies later in life for work. I always knew I wanted more for myself. Now, I'm proud to say I’ll be the first person in my family to go to college and to graduate.

I initially came to Western Nevada College because I wanted to earn my High School Equivalency (HSE). I enrolled in the adult education program and spent a couple of years studying before I finally passed the exam.”

Getting Started
“I found the program by searching online. I knew I didn’t want to study online — I wanted real, in-person classes — and the adult education program at WNC was exactly what I was looking for.

When I first started, I was honestly blown away by how supportive the staff was and how great the teachers were. They were super helpful and kind. I especially want to give a shout-out to my Language Arts instructor, Hallie Murphy, and my math instructors, Kevin Brandenburg and Ben Wassum. Ben was one of only two people in my life who could actually teach me math in a way that made sense.

Getting started wasn’t easy, though. I’ve struggled with severe anxiety and OCD for a long time, and that used to be a huge barrier for me. But I started getting therapy and counseling, and that changed everything. I've learned how to get out of my own way and use coping skills that have helped me tremendously.”

Experience in the Program
“Everyone in the adult education department was amazing. They made everything accessible and really supported me along the way.

Through the help of counselors and Chris Croft, the Career Services Specialist, I was able to get financial aid and tuition assistance from different sources like Good Jobs Northern Nevada, SANDI, FAFSA, ROADS, and Pell grants.

Even when things got difficult, I never really thought about giving up. I’ve set a personal goal to keep my grades as high as possible, and I’m driven to complete what I started and succeed.”

Achievements and Growth
“I'm most proud of earning my GED and being the first in my family to attend college. On top of that, I earned straight A’s and made the Dean’s List in my first semester! Another big milestone for me is that I’ll be the first WNC student in quite aw hile to compete in the SkillsUSA competition, which is a national program that promotes leadership and technical skills through competitive events.

Personally, I’ve grown a lot, too. I’ve developed better social skills, built strong friendships, and even become a mentor to others in the program. Professionally, I was recommended to apply for a teaching assistant role — and now I get to support other students on their journeys.”

Next Steps and Future Goals
“I'm on track to graduate from the Automotive Technology program in Spring 2026. After that, I want to continue and earn my Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. My ultimate dream is to get into building Japanese race engines. In the meantime, I plan to work as an automotive technician.

I’m also working toward earning ASC certifications — there are 18 of them total — which will strengthen my resume and build my credibility in the field.

This whole experience has prepared me in ways I didn’t expect. Hands-on classes and troubleshooting opportunities have helped me prepare for real-world scenarios. Even general education classes, like political science, have broadened my perspective and sparked my interest in higher education.”

Advice and Inspiration
“My advice to anyone thinking about enrolling is simple: Go for it! Don’t let your self-doubt get in the way. Getting started is the hardest part.

If I could say anything to my past self when I was just starting, it would be: Just keep going. You’re on the right path.”

Life After the Program: Career & College
“Looking back at where I started 3-4 years ago, I’m extremely proud. I never thought this is where life would lead me — but here I am, and it feels amazing.”

Closing Reflections
“Outside of school, I love being outdoors — fishing, golfing, working on my car and hanging out with friends. I come from a big family — I'm the second youngest of seven siblings, with lots of cousins — and we’re super close. We’re always getting together and supporting each other.

This journey hasn’t just been about education; it’s been about building a better life — for myself, and for the people I care about.”

Ready to take the next step? Connect with Western Nevada College’s College & Career Readiness program to start working toward your high school equivalency, improve your English skills, or explore career pathways. Visit wnc.edu/ready, call 775-445-4452, or stop by our office to get started!