Aspen University is proud to introduce a truly inspiring individual whose journey exemplifies a drive for lifelong learning. Meet Angela Shak, who completed the Master of Science in Technology and Innovation program in March 2024. From overcoming a challenging childhood to excelling as a leader in tech and finance, her story is a testament to resilience, determination, and breaking barriers as a woman in STEM. Read on to learn more about her remarkable path to success.
Background
Growing up as a Millennial, it was always ingrained that successful people had a degree, but that always seemed like a fantasy to me. I was raised in a family with domestic violence so when my sisters and I were young we were removed from our home to live with our father’s parents who originally migrated from Mexico. My grandparents worked extremely hard in a distribution center. While they could not show us how to achieve a higher education, they did show us how to be financially responsible and work incredibly hard. On the flip side, we often visited my mother’s parents who both earned their MBAs so we understood the potential of achieving higher education.
Throughout my elementary and middle school career, I remained living with my grandparents. My mom passed away when I was eleven years old. My father was in and out of prison for aggravated assault, then when he was released, he was consumed by a drug addiction until his death. During my high school years, I lived with my uncle who was an attorney with a law degree, and my aunt who was a successful corporate woman with her MBA. We finally had the opportunity to learn what it took to become successful, educated adults, and that was when I knew I needed to earn a degree too.
When I graduated from high school in 2005, I had no guidance on how to apply for college or financial assistance. I needed my estranged father’s SSN to complete the FAFSA form and had no way of moving forward. I heard a rumor that I could get a job at a bank where they offer tuition assistance, so that would be my next pursuit. After landing a part-time position as a bank teller at Bank of America, I quickly enrolled in a local community college. However, this teller position quickly started to form into a career when I was promoted to a Personal Banker, which helped me give up my waitress job. I began to question the need for a degree as I continued to find success as a banker, so my education journey was put on hold. A few years later I got married and had my first child. After my maternity leave, I was ready for my next big career move. When I had to start defending the fact that I did not have a degree, I could see a concrete ceiling begin to form over my potential.
Undergraduate Journey and Beyond
The complexities of a thriving career, a marriage, and a growing family added new layers of difficulty to pursuing a college degree. Juggling life’s demands made it impossible to attend a brick-and-mortar college, so I decided to begin my online school journey to earn my associate degree at Penn Foster College. I continued the associate program through 2019, then immediately started my studies for my Bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I decided to use the time I previously spent commuting and attending my child’s extracurricular activities—both of which had come to a halt—to focus on full-time college studies. My online school was self-paced, and I was able to finish in 2021. This achievement was the breakthrough I needed to build the self-confidence and desire to continue my education journey towards my master’s degree.
While working at Bank of America, I watched a traditional business evolve into a tech industry. Along with finance, I have seen how technology has transformed many aspects of our lives, for example: the internet, mobile phones, music consumption, online shopping, and even social media. I was working in the Global Transactions Services department as a Treasury Sales Manager, where we advised our clients on the importance of technology investment and innovation to stay competitive. My interest in science, technology, and innovation grew into a passion. When evaluating which school I wanted to attend, I was drawn to Aspen University’s Master of Science in Technology and Innovation program, because it checked off all the boxes of my passion.
I applied my strong study habits towards my master’s journey for the next few years and challenged myself to not only study but also to become a master. Aspen University’s professors were inspiring; they encouraged me to stretch my potential and think outside the box. I officially earned my degree in March 2024. Shortly after, in May of 2024, I became the Global Commercial Banking Digital Channels Executive. I am applying my learnings in the field in my new role as a woman in STEM. My primary focus is educating, marketing, and enabling the adoption of all the progressive technology the company has to offer within the commercial bank, both internally and externally. Taking innovation to new heights has been possible thanks to my dedication to my educational journey. Along the way, I have faced and overcome adversity, striving to become the best version of myself. In conclusion, life happens, and there will always be reasons to justify quitting or not even starting. However, if you step aside from your own doubts, you can unlock your potential and achieve greatness.