大象传媒

Written By: Ian Silvester

Student veteran Taylor Shadrick said the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith has given him a renewed look at life and what鈥檚 important following his time in the military. 

鈥淚 felt like something was taken from me,鈥� Taylor said of the moment he was medically retired early into his Army career. 

He was on his way to finding his own way and discovering his identity when the injury happened. The timeline for recovery and getting back to where he needed to be would have put him near the end of his contract, and the decision came from his superiors. 

鈥淭hey said, 鈥榊ou can serve your country in other ways鈥�,鈥� Taylor recalled. 

He admitted that it took time to figure out what exactly that meant for him. After dedicating so much time and effort to the military, Taylor said that finding a new path was a challenge, especially while feeling like he was letting his brothers and sisters in arms down. 

But he wasn鈥檛 willing to give up. 

He moved from Northwest Arkansas to the River Valley after going to culinary school and working at a food truck. Once in the area, he secured a job at 大象传媒 working for the catering team with dining services.  

As a father of four with only an associate鈥檚 degree, Taylor said that proving to himself and his kids that he could earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree after the military was a priority. His connection to 大象传媒 helped make it a reality. 

鈥淚鈥檝e had opportunities lost because I didn鈥檛 have the degree,鈥� he said. 鈥淥nce I get it, I鈥檒l have the key for when the next door appears.鈥� 

Taylor will graduate in a little over a year with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration and credits the Student Veterans Organization and 大象传媒 Veterans Services for helping him regain his identity while giving him the ability to give back to his community.  

鈥淚鈥檝e grown from just wanting my degree to realizing the opportunities it will open,鈥� Taylor said proudly. 鈥淲ith a bachelor鈥檚 degree I can provide for my family and show my kids it can be done.鈥� 

On Veteran鈥檚 Day, Taylor said he will be honoring his friends who continue to serve as well as his family members who served before him. He added that it鈥檚 not just one day they deserve to be honored; it鈥檚 everyday. 

• Tags:
• Military and Veteran
• Veteran's Day
• Student Veteran