Student Spotlight 2022: Hannah Finck, U.S. Navy

Tell us about yourself.

I am from Cambridge Springs, PA, and I currently serve in the U.S Navy out of Norfolk, VA. As a teenager, I knew that I wanted to join the military because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study in college. Currently, I have two jobs in the Navy, one as an airframe mechanic (AM) and the other as an intelligence analyst (CTR). 

What was your educational background prior to attending WSP, and which of our courses did you attend? 

I was homeschooled from second grade through my senior year. I also completed two military MOS schools and three college classes through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I attended business week at the University of Southern California (USC) and humanities week at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). I enjoyed attending a program at different universities, as it allowed me to gain two different perspectives on higher education.

Why did you decide to participate in WSP this summer, and was there a shift in your confidence level from the first day of the course to the last day? 

I signed up for WSP because I wanted to learn more about college, and I was especially interested in getting a feel for the academic rigor I could expect. I also looked forward to talking with the professors and meeting fellow veterans with similar interests. If I’m being honest, I wanted to see if I was ready to attend college after the military.

My confidence level on the first day at USC was low. I knew I could handle the courses, but lacked the confidence to speak up, communicate my ideas, and express my opinion. However, my confidence level went up significantly by the final day at UCI. A big part of this was because the WSP fellows from both weeks took the time to answer my questions, connect me with mentors, and encourage me not to hold myself back. I am very thankful for the opportunity to attend.

What were some key insights you gained during your courses, and what is your biggest takeaway? 

Attending WSP helped me gain a fuller picture of what it is like to attend college. It also gave me a better understanding of how to apply to college, the limitations, the amount of financial aid available, and the seemingly endless veteran resources available to me. Although knowing these things are valuable, the most important thing I learned was how to regain confidence in myself. I know this sounds cheesy, but it’s the truth.

In one word, how would you describe your overall experience?

Invaluable!

*View Hannah’s LinkedIn profile here.