Mayra Hurbieta

Mayra Hurbieta’s life now looks nothing like it did when she started as a student at Wright College in February 2019.

“Three years ago, if you were to tell me I was here doing this, I’d say you’re lying,” she said.

In 2019, the Belmont Cragin resident thought she wanted to be a teacher. By the end of that year, she decided to get sober. That decision not only changed her life, but it transformed her career path, too.

In the fall of 2020, Mayra took her first Addictions Studies class with Professor Racquel Hays in order to understand her own sobriety. She liked it so much that she kept taking classes.

Now, Mayra is working towards becoming a certified alcohol and drug counselor, and she’s in a unique position to provide support.

“The only help I got was these classes and AA meetings,” she shared. “I never got individual counseling or group therapy. It’s rewarding to do this for someone else.”

Mayra completed 300 hours as a substance abuse counselor at a methadone clinic through an internship, one of the unique benefits of Wright College’s program. She worked with 19 patients through group and individual therapy and has now been offered a role at the site. She hopes to begin that position in March 2023. If all works out, the job would allow her to get 4,000 hours of experience. She would then be able to take her certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC) exam.

Becoming a certified drug and alcohol counselor would be another great accomplishment for Mayra. She already got sober and graduated in May 2022 with her Associate in Arts. Now, she’s working toward her Addictions Studies certificate. Eventually, Mayra wants to get her bachelor’s in social work to help others learn about addictions and help remove the stigma that can surround them.

“I never thought I’d go to college,” Mayra said. “But I did and I started getting straight A’s. I went from not wanting to go to college to graduating with high honors.”

Mayra says the Addictions Studies program has opened her up to so many other opportunities and possibilities. Being a recovery coach has given her the confidence and skills to open up about her own addiction, and she looks forward to helping others overcome theirs.