Imani Jackson

UWRT 1101
Oral History

Interview Questions
1. Where were you born?
In Florida but my family came down to North Carolina from the lack of family support there.
2. How was high school for you?
High school wasnt that big of a deal for me. I just wanted to get out of there and do my own
thing. It was really annoying being in a house with three adults and three other siblings. Which is
why I was the first one that left.
3. Do you feel like your high school prepared you for college?
I feel as though high school did prepare me for the college work, just not the college lifestyle
yaknow? It didnt teach me how to pay bills or write a check, I learned those things on my own
since my mother was a drunk.
4. Which college did you go to?
I started off at Johnson C. Smith then transferred to UNCC because um.. It wasnt really
benefitting me very well for what I wanted to pursue.
5. Would you recommend this college to someone else?
Yeah, it was a pretty good college back when I went. It wasnt as much as it is now, since
theyve built more buildings. Theres a lot more housing around, too.
6. What was your major in college?
I majored in accounting the whole time I was in college. Though, I thought about being a
marketing business major but I think accounting was more me-like.
7. What kinds of struggles did you go through in college?
I had so many struggles in college, girl. I met your father before I even went to college. When
um.. We had you I had to wait a year just to go back to school. There was a lot of money
troubles and just focusing in general with so much going on. I remember when my mom died
during my junior year I started failing then. I know that was the part that affected my college
success the most.
8. Where did you live during college?
We lived in a really bad neighborhood back when I was in college. Your father and I lived off of
my schools financial aid.. Haha it was really stupid back then but you have to do what you have
to. I also did have two jobs, one in the morning and one in the evening. People wondered how I
was even functioning with those things while still having a child to care for.
9. Did your significant other help you during your time in college?
Your father was working full time doing heating and air installments. He worked there for years
to support us and you. Weve come a long ways from that now, though.
10. What kind of care was made for your child during college?
Your fathers grandmother would always take care of you when I couldnt. She had her own
business and would always have you helping out over there while me and your father was
working to support ourselves.

Imani Jackson
UWRT 1101
Oral History
11. How did these struggles prepare you for further life?
The money management definitely, we do indeed spend more than we should now but it
wasnt anything like the past. Now that I think about it, we wasted a lot of money back then.
12. What kinds of help were given to you in your situation?
Your grandmother was one, your father was two and Anita (Her sister) makes three. Since you
already know how the others helped me, Anita was my moral support. She was the one I talked
to when I wasnt feeling good and stuff like that, yaknow? After me, she moved out and was
going through similar stuff so we used each other to lean on. I think you and Nubia (My sister)
will be the same.
13. Do you have any advice for people going through some of the struggles that youve gone
through?
Since I feel like you want me to answer this question for your situation, I think you should focus
on school and uh.. leave boys alone. Try to get a job and manage your money wisely.
14. Is there anything that you would change in your past?
This might sound wrong but I probably wouldnt have tried to be with your father. I wanted a
bit more success than this. I suppose everyone would say something similar, though.
15. Do you think youve had a good college experience?
I hated my college experience. Not saying youll hate yours, Imani. But because of the choices
Ive made, I think it was harder for me than others. Thats why I dont want you to do the same
thing as me.
16. What has college taught you that you still use now?
College was the sure thing that sort of.. Forced me to start my life. That and having a child and
husband. I learned how to hold a job, multitask, do my own taxes things like that yaknow?
17. How well into your job are you now?
Girl, you know I talk about my job a lot. Im soon going to be the Vice President of Finance since
theyre training me for it now. Uh.. Its really easy at times but there is a bit of a challenge which
is always good.
18. Did you get your job as soon as you left college?
I wish.. I had so many jobs before this one. Cashier, Taxer and Ive volunteered many places to
get experience. You have to have a lot of different skills, Imani. That way you can benefit a
business in all sorts of ways. When I started mine, I was prepared for pretty much everything, it
just wasnt the right time so I thought Id get a bit more experience elsewhere.
19. How long did it take for you to advance in your job with your degree?
It took me about a year to reach my current position and Im not going to stop there.
20. What helped you manage your money while you advanced in your job?
Savings. You have to learn to save, how to save and when to save. I have so many savings
accounts, even your father doesnt know. But you can only do that when you have enough to
support yourself and then some yaknow?

Imani Jackson
UWRT 1101
Oral History
21. Do you think youve earned your way up in your career?
Most definitely, I didnt get my bachelors for nothing. Though, thats not all you need for a job.
You also have to have communication skills and be good at what you do. Which is why I think
Im pretty deserving of my job.
22. What do you think you can do to improve your career experience?
I think I can get better if I wasnt so busy with the family. I do put family first, Imani dont look
at me like that. But Im just saying if I didnt have to worry about the house and your sisters (I
have 3 siblings)Id focus more on my work and how to do better. Its just a matter of time.
23. What was the first obstacle you faced when you started your job?
When I first started my job, I was really nervous and tried really hard to make a good
impression. Apparently it worked since Im still here. So I guess my uh.. emotions?
24. Are you happy with your life now?
Theres much to be improved on my life Imani you know this. I do wish that I could have
traveled a bit more but theres still time in my life.
25. Any advice for students starting off their career?
I think if the student sticks to what theyve learned, picks something they want to do, gets a lot
of hands on experience, they can get a job easily and grow within that job.

Imani Jackson
UWRT 1101
Oral History

Reflection
This Oral History paper has really opened my eyes about my mother and her struggles. I
have taken her for granted and thought there was not much to her life. From her experiences to
what she has become now has really made me feel better about how hard I am struggling in
college, at the moment. I feel satisfied knowing that even from a hard point in life you can
achieve really great things later on.
From my experience with the interview, I have noticed that at times I was listening more
than others. When it would get interesting or to a point where I felt like I would learn something,
I would have full attention into the answer. I believe my questions were appropriate because the
interviewee was my mother. I also believe they were good for the paper because I really wanted
to know how she overcame college to her life as of today. My reason for the questions and whom
I picked was because I am currently struggling through my life in college with many obstacles
regarding classes, grades and relationships. I have gotten great advice from my mother through
this interview as well as motivation.
This assignment was personally important for me because I wanted to know how to
overcome my challenging college experience. My ability to focus on the project was difficult
because I was afraid at first to find out what my mother had to say. Based off the interview I
would only change the setting of the interview because it was in a general place that had some
interference that could have been avoided. In conclusion, this was a great opportunity and I was
glad I was able to share it with my mom as well as learn from her.