Real Story: Nicole Ransom
Nicole Ransom
CSM Class of 2014 
Current Job Title: Wealth management associate, the Rosenfield Group at Morgan Stanley; owner, GirlBoss Boutique
Transfer Institution: University of Maryland University College (now Global Campus)
I started CSM in 2008 after I graduated high school. Like many fresh-out-of-high-school students, I struggled to figure out my path in life and ended up taking quite some time off of school. After about four years of getting my bearings, I made the decision to go back to school and finally graduated from CSM in 2014.
Initially I chose CSM out of convenience. It was expected that I would attend college after graduating high school, and CSM had several campuses that were easily accessible to me. After taking time away from school, I made the decision to come back to CSM because of the amazing faculty. Once I made connections with some very impactful teachers and administrators, I knew that CSM was where I would be able to grow and thrive.
Now, I work for the Rosenfield Group at Morgan Stanley. I run my side business, GirlBoss Boutique, which focuses on providing fashionable, unique, versatile, and affordable business attire and accessories to women, out of the home I share with my amazing husband, Dylan, and two kittens, Raja and Jazzy.
My favorite CSM memory has to do with failing an English class. I took an English class in my first few semesters at CSM and felt completely over my head. I took notes, asked questions, and did everything else I could to comprehend the content of the class, and it didn't matter—I flunked every assignment. When I returned to CSM, I had to retake this English class in order to get my associate degree. I was dreading it! Thankfully, I had the absolute best advisor, who recommended a specific professor for the course. They took a different approach to the course than my first instructor, and something finally clicked for me. For the first time in my entire life, I got an A on every single assignment. Through that experience, I came to the realization that I was more capable than I had thought.
After I graduated from CSM, I took a couple years to focus on the Series 7 and Series 66 certifications that I needed for work. After I passed both exams, I enrolled in University of Maryland University College and graduated in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in marketing.
It is never too late to go back to school. Life is ever-changing, so there is always something new to learn, something new to interest you, and somewhere you can advance.
Last updated: 11/16/22