My Journey Back to Full-Time Education
Update, 2026: I left the Michigan Department of Corrections in December 2025 and resumed my studies at Baker College in January 2026.
My name is Skye Stubbins, and this post marks the beginning of one of the biggest transitions of my life: moving from full-time work in the Michigan Department of Corrections, where I'd served since June 2024, to becoming a full-time student again so I can finally complete my Bachelor's degree — and ultimately earn my Master's.
Where I Started
Long before I worked in corrections, I began my college journey at Baker College. I completed multiple semesters between 2013 and 2015, earning strong grades across subjects like:
- Networking Essentials I & II — A grades
- Linux/Unix Introduction — A
- Database Fundamentals — A
- Operating Systems — A
- Psychology, Sociology, and Cultural Diversity — A's
- World Geography, World History, Environmental Science — B/B+ range
These classes built the foundation of my interest in IT, networking, and cybersecurity — over 120 attempted credit hours with a cumulative GPA around 3.20–3.60 depending on the term.
But like many people starting out in life, I eventually had to step away from school and enter the workforce full time.
Life Happened — But So Did Growth
In 2024 I went to work full-time with MDOC. The job is intense, high-stress, and requires discipline, communication, and fast decision-making. It changed me — and in some ways hardened me — but it also reminded me what I really want long-term:
Every day I worked in corrections, I knew I wanted to build something better for my future. And that means finishing what I started.
Why I'm Going Back Now
I've reached a point where I'm ready to commit 100% to completing my education. My plan:
- Leave my full-time MDOC position
- Return as a full-time student to finish my Bachelor's in Cyber Defense
- Continue into a Master's program
This blog will track:
- The transition out of corrections, and the psychological side of leaving a high-intensity job
- Re-entering college as an adult: coursework, projects, and time management
- GI Bill / FAFSA / benefits tracking
- Homelab engineering — the -container lab I use to practice blue-team work
- Career planning toward SOC and blue-team roles
I'd already completed a substantial portion of my Bachelor's coursework years ago, and seeing that transcript again reminded me:
I'm not starting over. I'm continuing.
And this time, I'm going to finish.