Woman Earns Business Degree Online After 27 Years
By Jacqui Tom and the All Business Schools career research team—Your source for Business Career news, trends and programs.
Many fresh-faced young students with bright eyes and big dreams enter the freshman classes of universities and colleges across the country each year. But the demands of academics, work, family and even just the ups and downs of life cause 35 percent of those freshman to leave after their first year in school, according to recent data gathered by the Department of Education. Nearly 50 percent of all undergraduates never go on to complete their college degree.
But Sandy Jankowski from Onalaska, Wisconsin, has defied these seemingly insurmountable odds and walked across the stage to receive her diploma for a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse over 25 years after leaving campus, just a few credits shy of completing her business degree.
The 45-year old single mother of two dropped out of college 27 years ago after becoming pregnant with her first child. The demands of parenting kept her out of the classroom, but she never gave up hope that she'd one day go back and get her business degree. And in 2007 she made her dream a reality by re-enrolling at her local university and finishing her business degree online in two- and-a-half years while still working full time.
It's Not Too Late to Get a Business Degree Online
"I always thought of going back, but I was afraid because I knew what I would have to take [classes over again] when I went back," Mrs. Jankowski told the LaCrosse Tribune in a December 20, 2009 interview. "I just wanted to finish and have that in my back pocket…It's the self satisfaction in that I did something I didn't think I could do."
If you are one of the 50 percent of college students who never finished their degree or never had the chance to enter college but have always dreamed of going, Sandy's story offers inspiration and hope. Non-traditional students just like you are waiting until their kids are asleep or out of the house, their spouses are busy at work, or until their jobs are finished to pursue a business degree online.
While Mrs. Jankowski was able to take classes at her local university, many non-traditional students are finding that business degree online programs are an attractive option for completing their business degree. In online programs, students are able to study at home with few to no visits to a traditional classroom. This allows the utmost convenience and flexibility in balancing work, family and school, as learning takes place around your schedule at night, in the mornings or on weekends.
Learn More About Business Degree Online Programs
All Business Schools is your leading resource for information on Online Degree Resource Center to learn more about getting your business degree online or browse our directory of top online business schools and programs and get free information directly from schools.
It's never too late to get your business degree online—or from a traditional school. With a little determination, hard work and drive you too can beat the odds and become an academic success story.
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