From Surviving to Purpose

Hank Talbert’s Journey Through Re-Entry and Renewal

Before purpose, there was loss — and the decision to change everything.

Hank Talbert’s story isn’t about where he started.

It’s about what he chose to do when everything fell apart.

Before enrolling at Carteret Community College, Hank was living a life he once believed was productive. But in reality, he says, it was something very different.

“I was just surviving. Simply existing without purpose, stability, or direction.”

For years, he was in active addiction, caught in a cycle that slowly stripped away everything that once defined his life.

“I had lost my place to live, my car, my girlfriend, all my possessions, and the respect of anyone who knew me,” he said. “I had lost every ounce of dignity or self-respect.”

What remained was uncertainty.

And a choice.

The Decision to Change

Hank’s turning point began during his time at Hope Recovery Homes, where he was forced to confront the reality of his situation in a way he never had before.

There, he made a commitment that would reshape his future.

“I made a vow that I would accept the fact that I did not have all the answers,” he said.

That moment of humility became the foundation for everything that followed.

For the first time, Hank began to challenge the mindset that had guided his decisions for years. He started to understand that what he once believed was control was actually survival, and that survival alone was not enough.

“I had to learn how to stop thinking I already knew what was best for me,” he said. “That was the beginning of real change.”

In that space, something unexpected began to grow.

A sense of purpose.

Hank began to realize that his experiences, as difficult as they were, could one day be used to help someone else avoid the same path.

That realization led him to Liz Hubbard and the NCWorks Re-entry Program, where he found structure, accountability, and the opportunity to start building something new.

Turning Experience Into Purpose

When Hank arrived at Carteret Community College, he wasn’t just looking for a fresh start.

He was looking for meaning.

“I wanted to turn my lived experience into a professional asset,” he said.

That goal led him to the Social and Human Services program, where he began to explore not only recovery, but the deeper systems that influence behavior, decision-making, and change.

“I wanted to understand the ‘why’ behind human behavior and the ‘how’ of recovery.”

What he found was something far greater than he expected.

Through his coursework, Hank began to connect ideas across disciplines — seeing parallels between biology, psychology, and lived experience. He started to understand how addiction impacts the brain, how environment shapes behavior, and how recovery requires both structure and support.

“Learning about the biological side of addiction helped me understand that it’s not just a moral issue. There are real physiological components to it,” he explained. “But at the same time, you have to take responsibility for your actions. It’s both.”

That balance of accountability and understanding became a defining part of his growth.

“Seeing how everything is interconnected has been the most rewarding part,” he said.

As he progressed through the program, his confidence began to grow.

Not just because he was succeeding academically, but because he was proving something to himself.

“The moment I realized I could really do this was when I started accomplishing things I was always told I would never do.”

Hank didn’t just succeed. He excelled.

He has maintained a 4.0 GPA, earned multiple placements on the President’s List, and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He has completed certificates in Social and Human Services and Substance Abuse Counseling with honors, and is on track to graduate in May 2026.

But for Hank, those achievements are not the end goal.

They are proof of transformation.

“It provided a bridge from lived experience to professional expertise,” he said. “That’s what this program has done for me.”

Building a Future With Intention

Today, Hank is living a life that once felt out of reach.

He works full-time, attends school full-time, and is completing an internship at the NCWorks Big Rock Career Center — the same system that helped guide him forward.

He is also a Certified Peer Support Specialist, using his own experiences to help others navigate recovery and re-entry.

“I get to sit down with people who are where I used to be,” he said. “And I can meet them there, because I understand it.”

That connection is powerful.

It allows him to offer something that cannot be taught in a textbook — lived understanding.

“People can tell when you’ve really been through it,” he said. “It makes a difference.”

His long-term goals reflect both ambition and purpose.

After graduating, Hank plans to transfer to UNC Wilmington to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work, with hopes of continuing on to a master’s degree.

But his vision goes beyond personal success.

“I want to leverage my experience to bridge the gap between policy and the real-world needs of those coming home,” he said.

He understands that re-entry is not just about finding a job or enrolling in school. It’s about navigating systems, overcoming stigma, and rebuilding identity.

“Human services is not just a job,” he said. “It’s about making sure the next person has a better chance than I did.”

Hank is also clear about the role Carteret Community College and the NCWorks Re-entry Program played in his journey.

“They didn’t just see me as a student. They saw me as a future professional.”

That belief helped him begin to see himself differently.

“The program removes the stigma and replaces it with strategy,” he said. “It gives you a plan, not just hope.”

More Than a Second Chance

Hank knows that starting over is not easy.

He knows the hesitation, the doubt, and the fear that comes with stepping into something new.

But he also knows what’s possible.

“The hesitation is natural,” he said. “But the classroom is one of the few places where you can completely reinvent yourself.”

His message is rooted in experience.

“Your past does not define you. It’s a stepping stone toward your true calling.”

For Hank, growth is not about comfort.

It’s about pushing through it.

“The only constants in the world are God and change,” he said. “Where you feel the most uncomfortable is where you learn the most.”

He understands how fragile stability can be, but also how powerful one decision can be.

“We’re all one bad decision away from losing everything,” he said. “But we’re also one good decision away from changing everything.”

His journey is proof that re-entry is not a single moment.

It is a process.

A process of learning, rebuilding, and becoming.

Because for Hank Talbert, this journey is no longer just about a second chance.

It’s about purpose.