A Sacramento, CA resident turned what was once a trial into triumph.



It wasn’t until applying to his dream job at PG&E in 2022 that Wayne Osborne learned the startling news that he never actually earned his high school diploma, according to CBS Sacramento. While he attended high school, he found out that he had over 80 credits remaining to complete.

“I was devastated. I actually sat in my car in the parking lot and I started crying. I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” Osborne told the outlet.

However, a year later, he officially earned his diploma despite the curveball that came flying his way. 

Osborne went on to land and start the job of his dreams after nailing the interview, the outlet details. 

“And I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you guys, I was so nervous. I’ve never been nervous, that nervous in my life,” he said.

He continued, “When I say that I almost lost it. I had to pinch myself because it was like I was out of an out of body experience. I was like, ‘Oh wow! This is really happening.’” 

Under the utility company, he is a part of the traffic control team. 

Osborne says he would’ve been more than content with any role as long as he was a part of the PG&E family. In his role, he plans to put his best foot forward each day and “be more of an asset to the PG&E team.”

“Maybe one day, even be a CEO. You know, the sky’s the limit,” he said. 

Osborne’s “better late than never” story is reminiscent of Merrill Pittman Cooper’s. As previously shared by AfroTech, the 101-year-old earned an honorary high school diploma after his family worked alongside Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the Jefferson School District to host a graduation ceremony.