Hello,

I'm 17 years old and I graduate this December. I grew up in a home where we barely make ends meet and my parents never went to college and a lot of bad has happened in my life.

I'm trying to make sure my future is better than my past for my future children and I. Here in Tennessee we have a program called Tennessee Promise, which gives 2 years of free college to young adults graduating high school, and I intend to take advantage of it.

I'm going to a community college close to my area for a transferable degree in graphic design as soon as I'm able to. Then my goal is to transfer to a university and continue on to get the 4 year degree I need.

The problem I'm facing now is having problems finding a job. I'm trying to find one ASAP. I don't have much time before I graduate high school and I'd like to have a steady job in place before then. I'd prefer having a job that paid $8 per hour minimum although $9 or more would be preferred.

Does anyone have any helpful advice or tips for me? I don't have any help from my parents so if some successful women on here could give me some pointers it'd be greatly appreciated!