USMC Veteran’s Path to Mechanical Engineering
Joining the Marine Corps was a chance for Lissette Nichols to challenge herself and see the world beyond Wheeling, her suburban hometown northwest of Chicago.
While Nichols didn't have a burning desire to join the military at a young age she started considering her options after high school and a friend who had already joined the Marine Corps suggested she talk to a recruiter. Intrigued by the idea of joining the branch with the toughest reputation, Nichols set out to learn more.
"I didn't know very much about the military at all," she admitted. “I was in a place where I wasn’t really doing anything and I just wanted to change that.”
The recruiter educated her on the benefits and opportunities the Marines could provide. The idea of traveling to different bases around the country and overseas also appealed to her desire to get away and experience something new. At 17, she made the pivotal decision to enlist.
Two weeks after her 18th birthday, Nichols was shipped off to recruit training in South Carolina. After completing bootcamp, Nichols was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The initial adjustment wasn't easy.
"It was my first time having that kind of independence away from my family," she said. “Some people have their families an hour away [from base] where they could go visit them over the weekend. I wouldn’t see my family unless I took leave.”
Nichols' was then deployed to Spain where she was promoted to sergeant. After her time in Spain, she returned stateside to Parris Island, South Carolina. She quickly found herself loving her life in the Marines, but an injury from years of intense training ultimately ended her military career earlier than she hoped.
“I wanted to stay in, but because of my injury, the Marine Corps wouldn’t let me,” she says.
Nichols had to pivot.
She planned to take a year off before attending college, but a few weeks back at home was all she could take. Nichols needed to find a sense of purpose again, so she landed an engineering job at a hotel, igniting an interest in the field.
When she discovered the University of San Diego's (USD) highly ranked mechanical engineering program, with small class sizes for a personalized learning experience, she knew it was the right fit.
Nichols started at USD in January 2022. Being in classes with other non-traditional students, some with military backgrounds like herself, made the transition easier. She quickly bonded with several veteran classmates over their shared experiences.
“The one thing I was most nervous about when first coming to USD was being an older student,” says Nichols. “I remember in my first semester, I met two people: one was a MECEP [part of the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program] and the other was a Navy veteran. I quickly became friends with them because we had this common thread. It’s easier to connect with someone who’s had similar experiences.”
Now vice president of USD's Student Veterans Organization (SVO), Nichols is committed to supporting the military community on campus. She's on track to graduate in 2025 and pursue a career in either automotive, aerospace or defense engineering.
Reflecting on her path, Nichols doesn't regret how things unfolded. "It all worked out for the better,” she says. “I was nervous making that initial transition out of the Marines, but having a goal helped. As long as you keep telling yourself that you’re going to continue to grow, you can work through any of it.”
Nichols emerged from the Marine Corps with a strengthened sense of purpose that guides her to this day. No matter where life takes her next, Nichols will continue to learn, build and innovate.
“I think joining the Marine Corps was the best decision I made. It gave me a lot of opportunities and is why I’m able to attend USD, so it’s definitely the best decision I’ve made in my life by far.”
— Kelsey Grey ’15 (BA)