Rilynn Short’s story is one of those that makes you realize that everything truly can change in a moment.
Her whole childhood, Rilynn had dreamed of joining the Air Force. Her great uncle had served, and Rilynn was set on following his footsteps in service to our country.
Then, when she was 16, she was in a near-fatal car accident.
“I had to be airlifted from my house in Ruby, South Carolina, to Charlotte. It was a 16-minute flight. In that time, I died once and had to be resuscitated,” she said.
“When I finally started to come to after the accident, I was heartbroken because I knew that, physically, I couldn’t go into the Air Force anymore.”
Even while still in her hospital room, Rilynn started thinking about her Plan B.
“I had run a boutique in high school that was pretty successful. I was selling merchandise in every state. I have a knack for business,” she said. “I decided that was my next best bet.”
With deep family ties to Anson County, Rilynn chose South Piedmont for her next step. Here, she’s found the support she needed to change course in life. In addition to her coursework, Rilynn is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
“Everyone at South Piedmont has really worked with me, to help me get the classes I needed so I can graduate,” she said.
“I’ll graduate this spring with an associate degree in Business Administration.”
Using her South Piedmont education, Rilynn hopes to build a career in human resources or marketing. She’s also looking forward to her wedding this June.
“At the time, I had a hard time seeing past my car accident, but now I see how different my life would have been if that hadn’t happened. I wouldn’t have met my fiancé. I wouldn’t be going to school and learning about things that I enjoy. It changed my path, and I’m thankful for that,” she said.
While a car accident forced her life in a new direction, Rilynn has words of encouragement for anyone looking to make a career pivot:
“At times, our lives fall apart. Mine did after a car accident, but for someone else, it might be because they lost their job, or because they decide they just want to do something else,” she said.
“You can pick up the pieces, and you can keep working. That’s all you have to do.”
Explore how South Piedmont can help you prepare for a career change at spcc.edu.