Current occupation:
Accounting Technician at Whirlpool
What made you decide to pursue your degree as an adult?
I wasn’t happy with my job or how much money I was making. I wanted more chances to succeed and to give my kids a better life.
Why did you choose to study at Tiffin University?
I had heard of the Dragon Next program and was very happy to continue to study all online courses as I work full-time and have 2 children.
Describe your experience with the program so far.
An online learning environment is quite different. Although I prefer in-person, It’s not possible for my schedule. I still have gotten to interact with my teachers and many peers on our assignments and discussion boards.
I have had great teachers and classmates. I have worked on several group projects and got to meet people and talk through video calls. All of my teachers have promptly answered any questions or concerns I had. As well as making themselves available to make sure during the semester we can get help if needed.
How are you juggling work, life and going back to school? Any tips?
This is a very difficult task. I have started setting a schedule each semester depending on the due dates. I’ve been very happy with TU, and we have staggered out due dates during the week. I try and do one assignment a day and that usually keeps my weekends more freed up.
What keeps you motivated to stay in the program?
Knowing this degree will allow me to choose something more fulfilling and financially better when I graduate. Also knowing a lot of these classes has already helped me develop better skills for the job I currently have.
What advice would you give to a prospective student who is thinking about going back to school?
Don’t wait! You’ll regret it! The professors all want to see you succeed and if you put the effort in they will support you the whole way. I am so happy I returned when I did, but diving right in could have led to many more experiences and opportunities.
TU’s motto is: Without risk there is no gain. Can you tell us about a time when you took a risk and what you gained from it?
When I applied for my current job, I took a big risk. I had just gotten my degree, and I didn’t have a lot of work experience or seniority. Even though I wasn’t the most qualified person on paper, I went for it because I believed I could do the job and wanted to challenge myself. It was nerve-wracking because I didn’t know if they would choose someone with more experience.
In the end, I got the job, and the risk paid off. I’ve gained so much from this experience, like building my skills, learning how to handle different responsibilities, and growing my confidence. It showed me that sometimes, you have to take a chance on yourself, even when it feels uncertain.