Erica McCray (left) thought she was coming in for another scholarship interview when she was surprised by being awarded with full social work scholarship by Pacific Gas and Electric. She hugs her mother, Beverly McCray, who had to keep the secret. Photo courtesy of Napa Valley Register.

Cheers to California’s Napa Valley Register for this article about single mother and aspiring social worker Erica McCray, who recently won a scholarship from Pacific Gas and Electric for a full ride at Pacific Union College.

McCray, 38 and the mother of three, is an unemployed college student. However, before moving to Angwin, Calif., due to health and personal reasons, McCray had been working two jobs while going to college at Napa Valley College .

The scholarship is worth up to $30,000 a year. McCray plans to complete her bachelors degree in social work in two more years.

“I feel so much gratitude because I want my children to have every opportunity,” said McCray, who started crying when she was surprised with the scholarship. “This is going to make things a lot easier.”

Do you think you want to be a social worker? To learn more about the profession, what kind of social work you may be interested in, and get a list of accredited social work schools, visit the National Association of Social Workers’ Be A Social Worker website by clicking here.