Life can take you anywhere. You might stay in the same city your entire life, find a new job and raise a family in another state or relocate to a new country for a fresh start. All you need are the right opportunities presented at a key moment.  

Celine Okoro’s life is somewhat of a combination of those possibilities.  

For decades, she lived in Nigeria where she built a career advocating for women’s rights in a country she described as failing to recognize women as professionals. She spent years championing equity and helping women find their voices while raising three children and nurturing a 35-year marriage.  

But in November 2023, she made a bold decision.  

“Starting over in America was tough,” Okoro said. “But one must ask themselves, ‘Do you want to live the rest of your life complaining about your country?’ No, rather than lamenting, while one still has strength, you can begin to realign yourself to new realities and live the life you want.” 

She left behind everything familiar—her career, home and community—to start over in the United States. It wasn’t easy, but she believed the best was yet to come.  

More than a year and a half later, Okoro is beginning to see her future unfold. On June 4, she will join more than 50 Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) Adult Education students who have completed or will complete workforce training, High School Equivalency (HSE, formerly known as GED) or English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in the third Career Pathways Signing Day.  

Adult Education students will sign letters of intent for employment offers from more than 20 top Harris County companies, many of which partner with HCDE to create entry routes into the workforce.  

“Every day you live is cause for a celebration because life can be hard,” Okoro smiled. “This ceremony is part of HCDE giving hope to the people in this program. Here, everybody gets an opportunity to improve themselves.” 

However, the adjustment to new life in the U.S. wasn’t immediate. Okoro navigated an unfamiliar culture, climate, legal system and job market. The advocate who once commanded public rallies and mentored women in Nigeria was searching for stability.  

It wasn’t until she stumbled upon an online ad for HCDE’s Adult Education program that things began to look up.  

“One fateful day, my phone said, ‘Put in your zip code and then fill in your name,’” Okoro recalled. “Then it said, ‘Oh, you qualify.’ I didn’t take it as anything serious. I thought it was one of those scams. Then, within a week or two, I got an email inviting me to orientation.”  

She joined hundreds of students at the information session and was one of 70 adults who met the requirements to enroll in classes for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Phlebotomy. These entry-level positions opened doors to a new career within the medical field and aligned with Okoro’s passion for helping others.  

Throughout more than 100 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training, CNA students study diverse topics designed to prepare them for the responsibilities and challenges of providing primary care to patients. They learn everything from fundamental skills such as taking vital signs and assisting with personal hygiene to understanding how human anatomy and physiology are affected by diseases or injuries. Phlebotomy students are trained to safely draw blood, handle specimens and maintain proper lab procedures. 

Adult Education leaders design programs to meet workforce standards, prepare students for immediate employment in high-demand fields, and help them build competence and confidence in their new careers.  

“At the end of the day, there’s quite a lot of loneliness in the medical system among patients, so caregiving is huge,” Okoro said. “I tell people that caregiving is more than a job. You must apply yourself and be concerned about your patients, but beyond that, you must bring empathy and compassion. I have those skills now because of Adult Education and I have the confidence to go into my job because I’ve undergone rigorous training.” 

Okoro’s new opportunity manifested in a job offer from The Legacy at Long Meadow, a Pegasus Senior Living community in Richmond. She will sign her letter of intent at the signing day ceremony in front of peers and instructors who have supported her throughout the certification process.  

Her journey powerfully reflects the mission behind HCDE’s Adult Education program—to open doors, create pathways to employment and empower individuals to reach their full potential, no matter their starting point.  

“This is just the beginning,” Okoro smiled. “This is my entry point into the system. I’m going to the top, and I thank God for a good, credible entry point for me. I’m motivated by the fact that there’s something to look forward to and grateful that Adult Education created a space where I’m encouraged to be my best version.” 

To learn more about HCDE’s Adult Education programs, visit hcde-texas.org/adult-education.