Alumni Spotlight - Sarah Taylor

Sarah Taylor knew that she wanted to make an impact in people’s lives and initially chose to attend EvCC to become a nurse. During her time at the college, Sarah became aware that she wanted to make an impact in a different way. “Through various courses in a non-pressure environment, I was allowed to research other areas of interest and passion,” she says. Sarah realized her interest in creating a society that is inclusive and welcoming of people with disabilities and went on to graduate from Trinity Lutheran College with her bachelor’s in Children, Youth & Family Studies. Today, Sarah is the Investment & Partnership Associate for Sherwood, a non-profit that provides inclusive, innovative services for children and adults with disabilities. Sarah’s advice to current students: “Really use this time to explore future opportunities and passions.”

What is your current occupation/career?

I am the Investment & Partnership Associate at Sherwood, a non-profit that provides inclusive, innovative services for children and adults with disabilities in their communities. My position encompasses development and community outreach. I work to engage current and prospective partners who are interested in partnering with Sherwood and work to grow awareness of the Early Intervention and Vocational Services that Sherwood provides. Sherwood strives to create an inclusive society where children and adults with disabilities have the ability to live full and independent lives.

How did you choose EvCC? 

I chose EvCC initially because I was interested of their Nursing program, additionally I wanted a cost effective way to attend college without going into a large amount of debt and was interested in staying close to home. I knew that I wanted to make an impact in people’s lives and I think at that point I saw Nursing as the most straightforward way to meet their needs. Through many of the prerequisite courses I took during my time at EvCC I realized that I wanted to make an impact in a different way.

Do you think your time at EvCC helped you pursue your current career?

My time at EvCC definitely helped me pursue my career. Through the various courses I took at EvCC I was able to explore different subjects and topics in a non-pressure environment. I specifically loved a few of my professors, who during projects or assignments, allowed the class to research various subjects of interest or passion to them instead of setting strict parameters.

What did you do after you left or graduated from EvCC?

I graduated from EvCC with my Associate in Arts and Sciences. I then went on to Trinity Lutheran College in Everett and graduated in 2016 with my B.A. in Children, Youth & Family Studies. I worked at Clearview Foursquare Church in Snohomish for a few years before making the change to non-profit work.

Was there anyone during your time at EvCC who acted as a mentor for you? 

I don’t think I could say I had anyone that specifically acted as mentor. However, I really valued that my professors were so encouraging and really took the time and shared tools to help myself and my peers succeed.

What words of advice would you give to current EvCC students?

Based on my experience, I would tell current EvCC students to really use this time to explore future opportunities and passions. For myself, I went into my time there set on pursuing Nursing, but through exploration in various courses, found even though I still wanted to make a difference in the world and in people’s lives, I felt that my skills and talents would be better utilized and I would find much more enjoyment in a non-profit setting. As a result of my time at EvCC, I am now able to work towards creating a society that is inclusive and welcoming of people with disabilities.

Any other information you would like to provide?

In one of my English courses, the professor brought in a speaker from EvCC’s Accessibility Resources and Services Department to share with our class about different inclusive practices that can make a difference for people with disabilities. When I think back to how EvCC helped shape my passion for people with disabilities, this presentation helped grow my understanding of the inequities people with disabilities often face related to accessibility and inclusion and how I could begin to make a difference in that space.