Help Me Fund My Praxis Program
Donation protected
Hi. I’m Forrest Plaster and I’ve recently decided to start chasing my dreams, and I’d be so grateful for your help.
The Praxis Program
Not long ago I applied and was accepted to Praxis, a 9 month skill-building, apprenticeship-based education program that gives you both the knowledge and experience you need to create value in today’s market. It starts with a 3 month skill-building bootcamp that accelerates your professional development and gives you the tools to get the most out of your apprenticeship. During the 6 month paid apprenticeship at one of Praxis’ business partners, you shadow founders and CEOs, complete self-directed projects, receive 1-on-1 professional coaching, and develop transferable skills and experiences that you can take anywhere. To top it all off, when you finish the program, you are offered a job by the company at which you did your apprenticeship, with a minimum starting salary $40,000 a year.
About Me
I got lucky when I was young because my grandma took me in an raised me from when I was just a baby. Throughout my life she has been a guide and a support pushing me to achieve things that she never had the opportunity to achieve. One of those things was graduating high school. I know she was so proud of me when I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. I was the first person in my family to ever get a high school diploma. I felt like the natural next step was to continue on to college, so after I returned from my LDS Mission, I enrolled at Utah Valley University to pursue a four-year degree. I can clearly remember my first day at UVU. I was so nervous before my first class that I was shaking like a leaf. I had never been more nervous in my life. I also remember that first day seeing the woman who would eventually become my wife, walking in late to class with her twin brother. I’m glad I went to school at UVU. It put me outside my comfort zone in new ways that tested me and strengthened me (not to mention I met the love of my life).
As time went on, however, I realized that a four-year degree was a good path for many, but not for me. I loved learning new things in my classes but realized that everything that I loved learning could be found outside of a classroom setting. I also grew bored in many of my classes because I already knew what the teacher was explaining to beginner students (especially in government and history classes). As I approached the completion of my Associates Degree in General Studies I felt more and more pressure to choose a major, but the classes I loved taking (mostly history classes) led to jobs (mostly teaching) that aren’t a great fit for me.
With some reluctance I left UVU after completing my Associates Degree in General Studies. I know how proud my Grandma would have been if I had gotten a bachelor’s degree, but I couldn’t spend years of my life working toward something that wasn’t going to lead me to something that would make me excited to get up every morning and work hard.
When I discovered Praxis I knew it was a great fit. Even so, I researched it. I talked to people from the Praxis team and even current participants. One day I said “I can’t wait any longer, I’ve got to apply today!”
Why Do I Need Your Help
My wife, Gabi started law school at the University of Oregon this fall. I am so proud of her and I’m doing everything I can to support her. Both moving and tuition have been financial burdens. I’ve found a job, and we have enough to get by but paying the Praxis tuition is just out of reach.
The Praxis program’s tuition is $12,000, which is about half the cost out-of-state tuition for two semesters at the average university.
My goal with this campaign is to raise half of the cost of tuition, which would allow me to start Praxis 100% focused on the program without having to worry about tuition until I start my paid apprenticeship. I am fully committed to building my future. Thank you so much for your support! It means a lot to know that you believe in me and my goals enough to donate some of your hard-earned resources to help me chase my dreams.
The Praxis Program
Not long ago I applied and was accepted to Praxis, a 9 month skill-building, apprenticeship-based education program that gives you both the knowledge and experience you need to create value in today’s market. It starts with a 3 month skill-building bootcamp that accelerates your professional development and gives you the tools to get the most out of your apprenticeship. During the 6 month paid apprenticeship at one of Praxis’ business partners, you shadow founders and CEOs, complete self-directed projects, receive 1-on-1 professional coaching, and develop transferable skills and experiences that you can take anywhere. To top it all off, when you finish the program, you are offered a job by the company at which you did your apprenticeship, with a minimum starting salary $40,000 a year.
About Me
I got lucky when I was young because my grandma took me in an raised me from when I was just a baby. Throughout my life she has been a guide and a support pushing me to achieve things that she never had the opportunity to achieve. One of those things was graduating high school. I know she was so proud of me when I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. I was the first person in my family to ever get a high school diploma. I felt like the natural next step was to continue on to college, so after I returned from my LDS Mission, I enrolled at Utah Valley University to pursue a four-year degree. I can clearly remember my first day at UVU. I was so nervous before my first class that I was shaking like a leaf. I had never been more nervous in my life. I also remember that first day seeing the woman who would eventually become my wife, walking in late to class with her twin brother. I’m glad I went to school at UVU. It put me outside my comfort zone in new ways that tested me and strengthened me (not to mention I met the love of my life).
As time went on, however, I realized that a four-year degree was a good path for many, but not for me. I loved learning new things in my classes but realized that everything that I loved learning could be found outside of a classroom setting. I also grew bored in many of my classes because I already knew what the teacher was explaining to beginner students (especially in government and history classes). As I approached the completion of my Associates Degree in General Studies I felt more and more pressure to choose a major, but the classes I loved taking (mostly history classes) led to jobs (mostly teaching) that aren’t a great fit for me.
With some reluctance I left UVU after completing my Associates Degree in General Studies. I know how proud my Grandma would have been if I had gotten a bachelor’s degree, but I couldn’t spend years of my life working toward something that wasn’t going to lead me to something that would make me excited to get up every morning and work hard.
When I discovered Praxis I knew it was a great fit. Even so, I researched it. I talked to people from the Praxis team and even current participants. One day I said “I can’t wait any longer, I’ve got to apply today!”
Why Do I Need Your Help
My wife, Gabi started law school at the University of Oregon this fall. I am so proud of her and I’m doing everything I can to support her. Both moving and tuition have been financial burdens. I’ve found a job, and we have enough to get by but paying the Praxis tuition is just out of reach.
The Praxis program’s tuition is $12,000, which is about half the cost out-of-state tuition for two semesters at the average university.
My goal with this campaign is to raise half of the cost of tuition, which would allow me to start Praxis 100% focused on the program without having to worry about tuition until I start my paid apprenticeship. I am fully committed to building my future. Thank you so much for your support! It means a lot to know that you believe in me and my goals enough to donate some of your hard-earned resources to help me chase my dreams.
Organizer
Forrest Plaster
Organizer
Eugene, OR
