From a Fresh Start to a New Future

 

From a Fresh Start to a New Future: Tylena Martin Finds Her Path at Carteret

Carteret business graduate turns a return to the classroom into academic success, a path to a dual BS/MBA and new professional opportunities.

For Tylena Martin, returning to college was about more than earning a degree. It was about rediscovering what she was capable of and creating a new direction for her future.

After spending several years away from school and navigating life with a disability, Martin was not certain what returning to the classroom would look like. Then, seeing a Carteret Community College commercial sparked something she had not felt in a long time: possibility.

A visit to campus turned that possibility into a plan. Martin remembers meeting Carteret instructor Robert Harris and receiving the encouragement she needed to believe that returning to college and succeeding was within reach.

“Carteret Community College was not just the closest option; it was the place where I felt seen, supported, and capable of rebuilding my foundation in business,” Martin said. “Choosing this college marked the beginning of believing in myself and my future again.”

Finding a New Direction Through Business

Martin had long been interested in the systems, people and processes that keep successful organizations moving. Her early studies and work in accounting introduced her to the business world, but she eventually realized her interests extended beyond numbers to organizational systems, workflow improvement and how departments work together.

At Carteret, Martin pursued studies in Business Administration, Management and Accounting, completing her program with honors in December 2025.

While she initially envisioned becoming a CPA, her coursework and experiences helped expand her career interests toward human resources, operations and data analytics. Courses in organizational behavior, management, business communication and operational processes provided a strong foundation while helping her identify where her strengths could lead professionally.

“Carteret Community College helped me build academic confidence, time management, professional communication and organizational discipline,” Martin said.

Support That Made a Difference

Martin credits Carteret’s welcoming environment and personalized support with making her return to college feel manageable.

“The small campus atmosphere made it easy to form meaningful connections, ask questions and receive the support I needed without feeling overwhelmed,” Martin said. “It was more than a college course. It was a community that helped me grow academically, personally and professionally.”

She particularly remembers the encouragement she received from Harris and instructor Chuck Powell. Their belief in her abilities helped her recognize her own strengths and remain committed to completing her education.

“Their positivity and belief in my potential reassured me that I could succeed, regardless of my disability or the years I had been away from school,” she said.

Martin also utilized TRIO, tutoring, financial aid, scholarships, advising and other student support services during her time at Carteret. Together, the academic foundation and support she received prepared her to take the next step in her education.

From Carteret to UNC Pembroke

After graduating with honors from Carteret, Martin continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she is enrolled in the Dual BS/MBA Program in Business Administration and Management and expects to graduate in 2028.

She chose UNC Pembroke for the opportunity to advance her business education through coursework aligned with her interests in project management, operations and analytics.

The skills she developed at Carteret, including time management, professional communication, organization and foundational business knowledge, helped prepare her for the expectations of a four year university and a dual degree program.

Her continued growth has also opened doors beyond the classroom.

Martin was selected for a paid summer internship with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services through its Experiential Learning & Opportunity Internship Program. During the 10 week experience, she is working on a project with the NCDHHS Division of Human Resources and Center of Excellence.

The internship provides experiential and project based learning while strengthening skills in problem solving, collaboration, organization, data analysis and project management. It also connects directly with Martin’s growing professional interests in organizational systems, operations and analytics.

Building What Comes Next

Martin’s journey shows how one decision to return to the classroom can create opportunities that once seemed out of reach.

What began with a Carteret commercial led to a campus visit, enrollment and ultimately graduation with honors. Today, Martin is pursuing a dual BS/MBA while gaining professional experience with a state agency.

“Carteret Community College was the turning point in my educational journey,” Martin said.

For students returning to school, changing career paths or questioning whether college is still possible, Martin’s journey offers an encouraging example of what can happen when determination is matched with the right education and support.

For Martin, Carteret became the place to begin again and build toward what comes next.