Helping others gives K-Stater Melody Giles purpose, and thanks to generous scholarships, she’s able to fulfill her life’s mission
Most of us wear multiple hats in life, but Melody Giles might just hold the record.
Her titles include: single mom, caregiver to her brother, case manager for the local Area Agency on Aging, and nontraditional student at K-State Salina. On campus, she also is president of the social work club and the community resource organizer for the Student Governing Association.
How does she manage to do so much? Read on to find out.
How did you come to be a student at K-State Salina?
Initially, I started my education journey as a nontraditional student in nursing. I had been a cosmetologist since 1988, and I’ve always loved helping people. That’s in my nature. However, nursing just wasn’t 100% fulfilling to me. So I switched to social work.
I knew K-State Salina has a social work program, so I reached out to an advisor and just immediately felt comfort and acceptance there. And I knew that’s where I wanted to go.
Was it a smooth journey once you enrolled?
No. A major life event happened, so in 2018 I had to leave my college journey for five years. I became a manager at work, but I knew I couldn’t leave my college education just hanging there. I had to go back.
How did scholarships help you?
I’m a single mom and I take care of my brother who has high-functioning autism, so I knew I couldn’t afford to pay for college on my own. I’m a nontraditional student, I’m hearing impaired, I’m a single mom — it’s a struggle.
My advisor encouraged me to apply for scholarships. I knew that scholarships would really benefit someone like me. And it’s amazing what they do for nontraditional students, going back to school late in life.
How did you decide on social work?
I work part time at the North Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging as a junior case manager working with the elderly. I love it! I actually got this job because they reached out to K-State social work professors looking for students.
My daughter’s experience when a social worker, attorney and courts failed her inspired me to become a social worker. I thought about going into social work to help children, but I realized that path wasn’t going to satisfy me because it’s going to take more than me to make a difference.
Working with the elderly is my niche. I started crying on my first Meals on Wheels assessment because I was helping. They were getting what they needed, a nutritious meal, and I just cried and thanked God. I love my job! Helping people is in my blood.
Do you have advice for other nontraditional students?
Last summer I ran into a friend, a fellow cosmetologist, who said she’s always wanted to go back to college, but thought she was too old. I told her I’m a full-time college student at the age of 55. You’re never too old to learn
How important are scholarships to your success?
Scholarships have really helped me because I’m not able to work full time. And it’s taken stress off me from wondering, ‘How am I going to pay for this?’ It’s released that burden off me, and I’ve been able to focus on my education, my home life and my work life.
It’s amazing what scholarships do, and I’m so thankful for that. If I could see the scholarship donors face-to-face, I would give them a hug, because I’m a hugger.
