UOC Changed My Life

The University Outreach Program has truly changed my life.  I sometimes wonder where I would be today if there were not such a program.  I remember when I was 13-years-old attending middle school in Houston.  I was a shy student with little confidence.  The school I attended was known more for its gang fights than for graduating students.  Moving on to college was not something many of my classmates talked about or even thought about.   Thanks to the University Outreach Program I learned that dreams start with a vision. I visited the University of Texas at Austin during my 8th Grade year and the foundation to support my dreams was set.

Throughout my high school years, I received support from the UOC-Houston.  The counselors provided guidance on a variety of topics.  I learned about various careers, how to prepare for college, and what classes to take.  The program also gave me an opportunity to develop friendships with students who were like me. This fostered positive peer influence that reinforced my desire to attend college and pursue my dreams.  Because of the support I received from UOC, I graduated high school with honors. 

I was not sure what college I was going to attend until I received a congratulatory call from a University of Texas UOC Staff member, Jane Shaughness, who remembered me from my 8th grade visit.  In 1998, I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Since graduating, I have been living my dream as a Management Consultant. I travel all over North America helping companies transform their business processes.  My career has taken me places I never thought I would go, such as mines in Wyoming to medical device companies in Puerto Rico.  When I sit back and think about it, there are plenty of decisions that have altered the course of my life.  Joining the University Outreach Program was one of those decisions that has had a lasting impact, for which I will always be grateful.

Timothy Johnson

Sterling High School
Class of 1993

The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Science Degree
Class of1998