Hello! My Name Is…
My name is Carrie Johnson and I have been employed with the Virginia Department of Taxation for over ten years and am currently a Supervisor in their Customer Contact Center and I am responsible for their Danville Training facility. I have four wonderful children: Kaleigh, 13, Gracie Pearl, 10, Elijah, 7 and Colby, 5. We love spending time together riding four-wheelers, playing baseball/softball and tennis and going to the beach.
What is your motivation for obtaining your degree here at Averett University?
My children are my first motivation! They encourage me to achieve my goals. I am hoping this degree will help open new doors in my career.
Why did you choose Averett University’s Graduate & Professional Studies program?
There was never any doubt in my mind of where to go for my Graduate degree. I completed my BS degree at Averett. This is home to me.
How has your degree from Averett University assisted you in your career?
My Averett BS degree in Management helped me to get my job with the State and has helped me progress to the Supervisory role I now hold. I have already been able to apply knowledge from my GPS classes on the job! It’s very rewarding to learn something new and then use it on the job. It reminds me why I am doing this!
It’s very rewarding to learn something new and then use it on the job. It reminds me why I am doing this!
What advice would you share for current and incoming students in Averett University’s GPS Program?
As a busy professional and mother of four, I struggled with my decision to return to Averett at this time in my life. I was scared I was taking on too much and didn’t have the time to dedicate to my classes. The more I thought about it, the more I realized this was the most perfect time to take this step. I was recently promoted to my new position and to go any further, I would need a Master’s Degree. From a career point, doing it now would place me in a much better position in a few years to move up again. With my children, they could watch me work hard and achieve my goals which will hopefully have an impact on them to also follow their dreams. So my advice would be to just do it! I remember thinking, in two years, I’ll be two years older and in the same place OR, I could be two years older with a Master’s degree! This sealed my choice and I have never regretted it!
I remember thinking, in two years, I’ll be two years older and in the same place OR, I could be two years older with a Master’s degree! This sealed my choice and I have never regretted it!
What keeps you motivated while in your degree program?
I want to succeed. I work very hard to maintain my GPA and I want to graduate with high marks. I dream of my graduation day when my children can stand with me and watch me get my degree! That image keeps me going. I have also been surprised to find that classes I thought I would not enjoy have been some of my favorites. I have been blessed to have very encouraging instructors who keep me motivated! Pat has also been wonderful! I love to shoot her an email every now and then to say “I made it” through a class and she always responds with something supportive and encouraging!
What is your anticipated date of graduation?
While I am currently in the Leadership concentration, I am hoping to add the HR concentration as well. This may put me graduating late into 2019.
Read 3 Ways an MBA Online Can Help You Advance Professionally
Read 3 Ways an Accredited Online MBA Can Help You Advance Personally