Not all paths to choosing and learning a career look the same. Keisha and Thomas Spitzer, both 2017 NDSCS Alums, say “it’s ok to choose a different path, it’s okay to start over.”
Keisha put off college after graduating High School due to her National Guard Commitment. When she did start the Nursing Program at BSC, she didn’t think that a nursing career was for her, and she transferred to NDSCS for Dental Assisting/Hygiene. She quickly realized that Dental was not for her either and switched to the Pharmacy Tech program. Upon graduating, she worked at the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo for nine months, but still didn’t feel like she was using her full potential of gifts. She came back to NDSCS and enrolled in the Nursing program, earning her LPN and RN. While a student at NDSCS, Keisha worked at St. Francis Assisted Living for two years and then transferred to CHI Health and Home. She is proud to be a Home Health and Hospice Nurse with the CHI Health at Home Breckenridge Agency.
Thomas also took a roundabout path through time at NDSU and UND before settling at NDSCS. While he considered studying accounting, Thomas ultimately chose Electrical Technology because “a trade job was always needed. [We] will always need electricians.” After graduation, Thomas started working as a Factory Electrician at MinnDak, where he’s been since.
While they each took indirect paths to NDSCS, both Keisha and Thomas learned about themselves and their passions along the way. By the time they started in their LPN/RN and Electrical Technology programs, they were older than their NDSCS classmates. Keisha notes that her adolescent self didn’t know that helping others is what fulfills her, but after taking the time to explore different options and with encouragement from Thomas, she was sure by the time she started the nursing program at NDSCS.
Keisha and Thomas were married on October 7, 2021. They chose to stay in Wahpeton because they wanted a small community like the small towns they grew up in that was still close enough to access Fargo. They enjoy their jobs here and the people they work with.
They also have their Wildcat family in Wahpeton. Keisha and Thomas both enjoyed their time as students and the great teachers who made learning fun. After a couple of restarts, everything came together for Keisha and Thomas at the right time, and at the right place- NDSCS.