Real Story: Destini Baldwin
Destini Baldwin
Class of 2014
Program Coordinator, CSM
I graduated from Westlake High School and started college out of state, but after my scholarship ran out after a couple semesters, I told my parents, “I don’t want to have to pay all this money once I finish school, I don’t want you all to have to figure out how to get me through school, so I’m gonna come back to CSM.”
My professors had a big impact on me. They definitely changed the way I looked at my talents. I never used to see myself as a “creative” person, but I was in a graphic design class and I turned in this one assignment, and my professor told me, “Wow, just—wow, this is amazing. Like, you could get paid for this.”
That was the first time it clicked for me, that I had these skills, and sure, it was fun, but—wow, I’m actually really good at this, I have skills that people need and appreciate.
Since I was a student at CSM, it’s easy for me to put myself back in that position, that mindset, and look at how things are running from a student’s perspective. Now I’m focusing on how I can combine my experiences as a student with my professional expertise to better support our students and help them reach their goals, and support other staff who are helping students.
Ever since I was young, I’ve always loved being around people with more experience than me, because they inspire me to get to where they are. Now, at a college, I’m surrounded by so many people who inspire me. It’s got me thinking about going back to school to get my master’s and continue my education.
Last updated: 6-29-22