Her Story
About Megan
Megan Carlson is a sociology major at UC Berkeley, where she is earning her bachelor's degree after completing an associates in psychology and sociology. A non-traditional student and single mother, she entered community college through the Rising Scholars program supporting formerly incarcerated students, worked in the program, served as club president, and transferred successfully to UC Berkeley. Her daughter has been a primary motivating factor, and she attributes her achievements to her upbringing by a single mother as well as her personal tenacity in learning resources and advocating for herself. Carlson values education through independent research and questioning, consistent advocacy when issues arise, and close non-traditional family bonds. She plans to pursue a PhD program after graduation and remain in higher education to support student parents, underground scholars, and other non-traditional communities, while continuing her role as an advocate.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Megan
01What do you attribute your success to?
It's a mix of both my upbringing and my own tenacity. I have to give all that credit back to my mom because she raised three of us as a single mom. It's just having to learn the resources myself, and it's either I do it or I don't, especially having a baby who looks up to me.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
First and foremost, you're not alone. All of the issues that we go through, somebody else has gone through it. I almost guarantee it, and there are people willing to help. That's the biggest thing, and I know it's very hard to ask, especially as a single mom who does everything by themselves. It's very hard to ask for help, but there are people out there that want to help you, and I'm one of them.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Education, not necessarily in the structural way but looking into things, doing your own research, and taking everything at face value. Advocacy, always. If you can see something wrong, you can either say something and do something about it, or you're part of what's wrong. Family too, but also in the non-traditional way, just holding those that you love and you care about very close to you, and protecting them.
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