What is your motivation for obtaining your degree?
I had several motivators for obtaining my Master’s Degree but primarily I was motivated because of my career. I am an Executive Director at Friendship Retirement Community in Roanoke, VA. I have an absolutely wonderful career and I have been able to experience growth and success through hard work and an absolutely amazing team. Obtaining my Master’s degree will polish many skills that I have obtained through pure experience which will add significant value to the professional skill-set I can bring to my company.
Why did you choose Averett’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program?
I chose Averett after my company and Averett University worked together to create an absolutely amazing partnership to offer our employees the chance to go back to school to obtain their bachelor and master’s degrees. I was previously looking at other institutions to begin a master’s program, but as fate would have it, Averett clearly became my primary choice. I have been so impressed by the professionalism, kindness, support, and motivation I continue to receive from such remarkable faculty and staff. Averett’s GPS online program has exceeded my high expectations.
Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students:
Oh goodness, it’s hard to pick a single piece of advice. For future students, I would like to say: Take the leap and dedicate yourself to this opportunity. Time goes by so quickly so you need to be intentional about taking action with those nagging thoughts of, “I want to get my degree one day.” “One day” will never happen if you don’t take action.
For my classmates: Carving out the time to complete work is necessary, especially for those of us who have children. Be thoughtful about incorporating what you have experienced in your life and career when you are tackling your assignments. That’s what makes this program so valuable.
What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program?
I was a mediocre (at best) undergraduate student. I have regretted for the past 13 years that I did not put forth the effort to be the type of student that I could have been. I look at how I have grown professionally and wonder, “Where in the world did this lady come from?”
I stay motivated daily because I have been given the chance to reinvent myself as a student and the chance to pair this educational experience with the professional success I have experienced.