Taking Chances In Life

eople who take chances in life are motivated by the possibility of creating unlimited opportunities for themselves. In the case of Tammy Clark, her motivation to create a better life for daughter, Taylor and herself lead her to Atlanta, GA and the completion of some of her educational goals. Ms Clark arrived in Atlanta, GA almost five years ago looking for opportunities in a city that has a reputation for ‘possibilities’. Since moving to Atlanta, Ms. Clark has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems, from Devry Institute of Technology. She is a member and greeter at Ray of Hope Christian Church, where Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale is the pastor. This Northside High School 1983 graduate has gone from a quiet studious person in high school to a social butterfly.

High School Years

During high school, Clark was involved in the Honor Society and Student Council and graduated No. 17 in a class of 400+ students. She had very limited extracurricular activities because of a very strict upbringing. “Although I definitely couldn’t see it at the time, my strict upbringing has been an asset. The values instilled in me by my parents have stuck with me throughout adulthood and definitely helped me to be a better person.” Clark’s high school years were filled with memories of pep rallies, pizza day, great friends and awesome teachers. She loved school because everyone appeared to get along with each other.

Clark lived on Hubert Avenue between Tunica Ave and University Ave in a neighborhood called Hyde Park in North Memphis. “I attended Hyde Park Elementary, back in the day, when you would walk to school and there were school crossing guards. I also attended Coleman Elementary and Cypress Junior High. (Go, Timber Wolves!)"

Life After High School

After graduating from Northside High School, Clark completed a 9-month secretarial/word-processing curriculum at Miller Hawkins Business College. She worked in various administrative positions before getting a position at First Tennessee Bank. After working for First Tennessee Bank for eight years, Clark decided that she needed a change. She gave a two-week notice to her employer. On January 1, 1997, she set off for Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter. After arriving in Atlanta, she signed up with five temporary agencies and found full-time employment a month and a half later. Clark started working for her current employer, Delta Technology (a subsidiary of Delta Airlines) in April of 1998. Ms. Clark is also a member the Toastmasters International, Medallion Club of Delta Technology. “I joined Toastmasters in order to sharpen my speech giving skills and at the same time meet new people,” says Clark. Toastmasters International is a worldwide network of clubs where people develop their public speaking skills by practicing in a comfortable environment with other learners.

The following is our discussion with Ms Clark on her family, life, and challenges.

-Jalia: Why did you decide to move to Atlanta, GA?

Clark: I had lived in Memphis for 30 years and I was ready for a change. I wanted to experience living in another city. So, I chose the city of Atlanta because I had heard great things about it. I used to visit for fun but then I heard how progressive it had become. This is really a city for movers and shakers. Since my best friend lived in Atlanta, my daughter and I lived with her for over a year. Now we have our own place and it’s been great. It doesn’t seem like I’ve lived in Atlanta for almost five years. In Atlanta, it seems that most of the people you meet are not originally from Atlanta. You are shocked when you meet someone that was raised in Atlanta. Meeting so many people from all different states and countries has been very exciting. I’ve accomplished a lot since I’ve been here both personally and professionally. It was a great move and one that I’ll never regret.

-Jalia: You recently received your Bachelor of Science Degree. How were you able to juggle parenting, work and school?

Clark: In 1987 while living in Memphis, I started attending night school at the University of Memphis. I took one to two classes a semester. Several times, I would stop attending U of M and then start back again. When I moved to Atlanta, I made a commitment to myself that once I started school again; I wasn’t going to quit until I received my bachelor’s degree. My main goal was to finish something that I started long ago. Eventually, I found reliable childcare and was able to complete school. It was tough caring for my daughter, working and attending school. However, once your mind is made up to succeed, you can do anything. I didn’t have any family in Atlanta, childcare was an obstacle. I was tired a lot of times and wanted to give up but friends and family encouraged me to continue. I kept thinking about the big picture of having a degree and making a better life for my child and me.

-Jalia: Do you have any words of encouragement for working mothers that are trying to continue their education?

Clark: Don’t give up! If something happens to throw you off a course, dust yourself off and get right back on track. Things happen in life that we have no control over, but you owe it to yourself to keep going and finish your goals. Remember, those years will pass by anyway, why not spend them doing something worthwhile. If you are complaining about your job or situation, it is up to you to change it.

-Jalia: What kind of values have you tried to instill in your daughter?

Clark: I teach my daughter to put God first in her life and to pray. Any problem she has, even though she is only seven years old, we talk and then pray about it. Children have problems, even though they are young, we need to take the time to talk, listen and be sensitive to what they have to say. They have peer pressure, and school concerns that affect their lives. I also teach her that she is no better than anyone else and that everybody is equal. I tell her how blessed we are and that all children may not be as fortunate as others. I teach her not to look down on anyone because of where they live, how they talk, or how they dress, etc. . . . I teach her to be kind and thankful. I also teach her that she can grow up to be anything she wants to be. I try to expose my daughter to all types of experiences. We spent her last spring break in California at Disneyland and touring Hollywood. In the same week, we saw the Lion King on Broadway in New York. She is a Girl Scout (Brownie). Together, we do amateur modeling for Divas Unlimited here in Atlanta, GA.

-Jalia: What is your current job position and duties?

Clark: My job title at Delta Technology is Quality Assurance Analyst. I’m responsible for the overall (functional, regression and performance) testing of the www.delta.com website. I also serve as liaison between Quality Assurance, Development and Business Analyst groups to resolve software defects, functional and technical discrepancies.

-Jalia: What do you like best about your job?

Clark: What I like best about my job is being involved in the entire software life cycle of our website. I have the opportunity to communicate with developers, the infrastructure team, analysts, managers, directors, webmasters, and database administrators on a daily basis, therefore, I constantly learn new things. I’m afforded the opportunity to work with people of all technical levels from the beginning of the project to the end of the project to get the job done. I have a great manager and I work with a great team.

-Jalia: What do you hope to accomplish both professionally and personally in the next two to five years?

Clark: Personally, my focus will be on nurturing, caring for and experiencing life with my 7-year-old daughter, Taylor. I’m divorced and currently single so who knows about that part of my life. Professionally, I’m exploring entering into a graduate program and will hope to have a Master’s degree within the next four years.

-Jalia: Name three things that have been the highlights of your life personally?

Clark: The first highlight of my life would be my personal relationship with Jesus Christ who is the foundation of my life and each year that relationship grows more and more. The second would be, the birth of my daughter in 1994. The third would be, finding my biological parents in 1996 and developing a wonderful relationship with all my new family members. This has been especially awesome for my daughter, and me since, my parents that raised me have both passed away.

-Jalia: What are some of the things that you like to do during your leisure time?

Clark: I love to travel and with the benefits I have at Delta Technology, the world is my playground. My most exciting trip was to Paris last summer. I had a great time and the French people were kind. The trip opened my eyes and gave me such an appreciation for America. We are a very privileged and blessed country. Paris is a very romantic and beautiful city. The history there is awesome. The food was a little different from what I’m used to in the states. I would recommend a visit there at least once in your life. I also love to read fiction and nonfiction books. I like to watch talk shows and my favorite TV show is Judge Mathis - that is also my grandmother’s favorite show. I enjoy spending time with friends and family doing just about anything or nothing at all.

-Jalia: How often do you visit Memphis?

Clark: I’m fortunate to visit Memphis a few times each year. My flight benefits at Delta Technology enable me to do a lot of traveling. It’s fun being able to visit Memphis, at the spur of the moment, just for a graduation, a party, baby shower, etc. . . . My daughter spends most of her summers in Memphis visiting her father and family. Memphis has grown a lot since I left in 1996.

-Jalia: What will are thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Clark: The health, well-being and happiness of all my family and friends.

Tammy Clark knows that the accomplishments and opportunities that she has received in life are truly a blessing. She realizes that life is a never-ending journey filled with opportunities and challenges. Therefore, we can see that her life’s goals are only beginning.