‘Work hard, play hard’ – Alena ‘Katreece’ Hathaway discusses her life as a non-traditional business student

Alena Hattaway, who goes by her middle name Katreece, hasn”t had the typical academic experience.

Once a high school dropout, Hattaway, 26, is set to graduate from the University of Idaho this winter and is already looking forward to her future in business.

“I interned at Gore this past summer,” Hattaway said, mentioning she hopes to work for the multi-national manufacturing company in the future.

If that doesn”t work out, Hattaway said she hopes to pursue a business career that works with health, nutrition or medical studies.

It has to be something that she actually likes, Hattaway said – something that allows her to work with a lot of people and make an impact. Eventually, she said she would like to start her own nonprofit business that works to empower women.

Hattaway said she enjoys being outdoors and likes to go hiking, kayaking and swimming. She also wouldn”t hesitate to go skydiving, rock climbing or cliff diving, she said.

“I like to have fun,” Hattaway said. “Work hard, play hard. That”s my motto.”

Hattaway said she wants to start a camp for female preadolescents and adolescents that tests their strength and helps build strong leadership skills and confidence while keeping them active outdoors.

“I think a lot of weakness comes around that time period,” Hattaway said.

Early in high school, Hattaway said she participated in several sports until a car accident left her with a broken jaw and back.

Unable to play sports, Hattaway said she lost motivation in school and dropped out at the age of 16. She earned her GED and went on to take several jobs, such as at a call center and a bar, until she was 20 and decided she wanted a better career.

“I didn”t know what I was doing, so I decided I”d go to college,” Hattaway said. “I figured it out pretty quick.”

Hattaway began college at the College of Western Idaho as a double major with a minor in statistics, but decided to major in business with a minor in operations management. During her time at CWI, Hattaway said she was a full-time student working a full-time job.

Doing both made getting through the year more difficult, Hattaway said. So when she transferred to UI, she decided she was not going to work and instead was going to rely on loans.

“I”m in a lot of debt, which sucks,” Hattaway said. “But my family isn”t in a place to pay for my college.”

While Hattaway hasn”t had the conventional academic experience, she said she holds no regrets to the way everything has played out.

Dropping out of high school at 16, living on her own and working from the age of 15 has only made her more independent, Hattaway said.

“It”s been really good for me,” Hattaway said. “It”s really opened my eyes to the world.”

Marisa Casella  can be reached at  [email protected]  or on Twitter at @marisacasella1

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