The college experience is often defined by more than academics alone. Alongside their studies, students build lasting connections, pursue new opportunities, and gain a clearer sense of who they are and where they want to go.
After graduating from high school, Everett Lockhart found himself stuck at home. He had just returned after some time in Japan as an exchange student, a long way from his native Fiji. Now he was back in Australia where his family had lived for the past several years, trapped in the depths of the COVID-19 lockdown. It was a particularly difficult time for Everett because he has an ambitious soul and is not the kind of person who is comfortable sitting still.
Cut off from his community, he found himself isolated and alone, scrolling through social media, exploring the world through map apps, and longing for a more exciting future.
“Many of my friends online were American. And they were always out and about, doing all these things and achieving things. And I just hated it during COVID, being in bed, scrolling through videos. I’d see a video of a beautiful landscape or someone walking down a nice hiking trail; and something just woke me up, gave me my drive. I wanted to get away and prove to everyone that I’m going to make something of myself.”
An accomplished drummer before the pandemic, he had been active in the local music scene, playing in bands and helping with the technical aspects of recording and live events. He made up his mind that he would explore opportunities in America and enroll in college to pursue his passion for music and audio engineering.
“America has this sense of urgency, and specifically Washington with its tech industry, music history, and lots of beautiful nature. I just felt the resources and opportunity here were far more abundant than anywhere else.”
Everett searched for a school that would be affordable, and that would have a music program with strong audio tech opportunities. Shoreline College had everything he was looking for.
“I chose Shoreline because of the appeal of the music tech program. I struggled to find other schools that had that kind of program. I wanted something tech specific, running sound, AV, that’s what I’d envisioned. And the price was a big factor. I moved across the whole world because of the price.”
Nevertheless, early on, Everett found himself struggling financially. He’d arrived with only a few thousand dollars, and most of that was gone within his first quarter.
“It really pushed me to be a survivor. I had no choice but to improve myself or face the consequences. The humility of having to go back to Australia is something I did not want to face. So, I just dug deep and convinced myself I’m going to make this work.”
Eventually, Everett was able to secure a collection of on-campus jobs. Those jobs provided income, but perhaps even more importantly, they began to show him a path forward.
“I really excelled at running rental events. Without that job, I would not have made it through Shoreline. The thing that kept me going was that job, and the support I received from my bosses: Suzanne Gugger, Dawn Lowe-Wincentsen, John Nold, these people deserve all the credit.”
Everett has become an expert at working with the college’s media technology, but that’s not the only reason he excels in his work. What truly sets Everett apart are his keen perception and high-quality customer service skills.
“I learned that the person running their wedding just wants to feel good, they don’t know how to run events. So, I put my all into it, going above and beyond, making them feel secure and that everything will run smoothly. They don’t need to worry. I’ll take care of it. I sell trust.”
Today, Everett is trusted throughout the Shoreline College campus, where he has continued to work and take classes, even after achieving his AAS degree in audio engineering. He’s also building trust throughout the community, running everything from larger corporate events to private parties, and building strong personal connections along the way.
“Moving to the US has been the best choice I’ve made in my life. The best thing about Shoreline for me was the employment opportunity. I do not believe there are many colleges in Seattle that have a job like this.”
Now, with the opening of the college’s new Bracken building, with its brand-new music and recording facilities, Everett is helping the college create an even better future for the music programs that drew him to Shoreline in the first place.
“In Bracken, for recording and things – I’ve been to some amazing studios, and that’s a very good studio.”
Everett has come a long way, both literally and figuratively, from the yearning kid who was stuck in his room. He learned how to survive, how to set himself apart as a reliable employee, and how to build essential connections with people who can get him where he wants to go.
If you’d like to learn more about student jobs at Shoreline College, visit shoreline.edu/job-career-services/. To find out more information about the music facilities in the new Bracken building visit: shoreline.edu/music-dept/facilities.