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revisit RISK AND REWARD

What happened to Cindy? Working nights allowed Cindy study and retain information
to attend college during the day. Without compromising for her coursework while
her work duties, she was able to find time on the night holding down a job to sup-
shift to review that day’s lessons. Writing out classroom port her young son. What
notes in longhand helped her retain information. After are your two biggest time commitments
graduating with her bachelor’s from Wyoming, Cindy’s outside of schoolwork? Name them; then, for each,
company paid for her to get her master’s degree, and identify the times you are committed to and how much time
ultimately her hard work earned her the reward of a pro- you spend per week total. Now describe how each affects
motion to senior manager. “Being a Hispanic woman was your study time and your ability to retain information.
a hurdle,” she says. “I needed fortitude. I had to gain the Finally, determine what risks you need to take to maximize
customers’ trust and confidence. For me it’s always been your retention—adjusting commitments, studying during
about building relationships.” work, reshuffling your schedule, and so on.
Cindy’s willingness to take targeted risks is evident in What risk may bring reward beyond your world? Every-
her recreational pursuits, too. She is an accomplished thing that students accomplish in college owes a debt
marathon runner, having tackled the famed Boston Mara- to someone who helped somewhere along the way.
thon, as well as road treks in Honolulu and at the foot of Even if you need support, keep in mind that your own
Mount Everest. Now a director of program management help and expertise can offer rewards to others. Perhaps
at Goodman Networks, Cindy recently conquered a new you could be the one to help someone else adjust a
challenge—breast cancer. “It’s taking things one day at a schedule, improve memory skills, or study more effec-
time, reaching within and really discovering what type of tively. Check your school’s website to see what tutor-
inner strength you have,” she says of beating cancer. ing services are offered and whether there is a peer
“Believe me, it was like a hundred Everest marathons.”
advising or mentoring group you can consider.
What does this mean for you? A strong work ethic, a sup-
portive family, and an open-minded employer helped Cindy

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