Ben Seigal contracted COVID more than once, and it was Long COVID that hit him the hardest. He lost his job. The migraines made it difficult to function, let alone work consistently. Some days were manageable; others were not. Even now, he says, sudden temperature swings can trigger symptoms. “I still have it, but it’s gotten so much better,” he said. “I feel a heck of a lot better.”
At his lowest point, returning to school seemed less like a plan and more like a distant idea. It was something abstract to hold onto when everything else felt uncertain. “At first, just the idea of coming back to school seemed to help out a bit,” he said. “Once it started becoming a reality, it really helped.”
Seigal graduated from West Genesee High School with a clear set of interests: chemistry and computers. “I’ve always loved computers. After chemistry, it was my number two.” He chose chemistry first. Right out of high school, he enrolled at the University of Rochester to study chemical engineering. But after two and a half years, the pressure caught up with him. “I just got overwhelmed and had some personal issues,” he said. “I tried going back a few times, and it never worked out.”
Instead, he found another path that didn’t require a degree, at least not right away. Seigal landed a job working in a lab, building a career from the knowledge he already had. “I was interested in chemistry. I didn’t have a degree, but I had enough background to get where I wanted, so it was fine.” For a while, it was. Then came illness. Then came uncertainty. And eventually, a decision to go back.
Two years ago, Seigal enrolled at Onondaga Community College. He chose to focus his studies on computers. Paying for school, however, was another question. During his first year, Seigal relied on Pell Grants. But as that aid began to run out, he wasn’t sure how he would continue. Then a new opportunity emerged: SUNY Reconnect - a new, tuition-free community college program for students between the ages of 25 and 55 who have not yet earned a college degree. It covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies after all other financial aid is applied. "They told me I was covered by Reconnect, and it was amazing - incredible."
Also incredible has been his academic performance. Next month, he will complete his Computer Information Systems degree. And during the summer, he will finish his Computer Science degree. As he's excelled in the classroom, he's also been working part-time in IT with ACC Technical Services. He's gaining hands-on experience, and hopes the role will turn into a full-time position after graduation.
