Cathy Fox has all the time valued schooling. Lengthy earlier than she attended American Navy College (AMU), Fox dreamed about incomes a school diploma. Right now, she’s a two-time AMU graduate.
Fox holds each a bachelor of enterprise administration (BBA) and a grasp of enterprise administration (MBA). Her story encapsulates completely the ability of arduous work and dedication when it’s mixed with employer-sponsored schooling advantages.
In Fox’s personal phrases, her “journey to an MBA was unconventional” and never with out its detours.
Shifting From Nursing to School to Life as a Navy Spouse and a Mom
Earlier than even ending highschool, Fox turned a Licensed Nursing Assistant (CNA). Following her commencement, she continued her research and pursued a level in deaf schooling on the College of Tulsa. “After my sophomore yr, I exchanged my position of scholar for the position of spouse,” Fox says.
“Throughout the subsequent 4 years, I turned a mom and labored in a hospital. My husband was within the Air Drive, and we had a brief tour in Germany that was minimize brief by the sickness of my dad. That prompted a humanitarian switch again to [the United States],” she provides.
Exploring Skilled Growth Alternatives for Profession Development
After her household returned dwelling, Fox pivoted away from the healthcare occupation and entered the company world. She made a reputation for herself on the Georgia World Congress Heart (GWCC).
“GWCC is the place I shifted from job to profession,” Fox says. Throughout her time with the group, Fox immersed herself in skilled improvement. She obtained specialty certifications by means of Skilled Secretaries Worldwide, now generally known as the Worldwide Affiliation of Administrative Professionals (IAAP®).
“IAAP supplied a chance to develop my expertise in management, finance, and different areas that weren’t a part of my each day job. It additionally ignited in me the need to finish my undergraduate diploma,” she says.
Sadly, tuition bills introduced a problem. GWCC supplied tuition reimbursement schooling advantages, however masking the price of faculty courses upfront would have created monetary pressure. “I used to be not prepared to enter debt to meet my need for a level, nor was I ever prepared to ask my household to sacrifice for my dream,” she says.
Employer-Sponsored Tuition Advantages Helped Make Fox’s Dream a Actuality
Following her five-year tenure with GWCC, Fox landed a task with Starwood Accommodations and Resorts. As soon as once more, her compensation bundle included tuition advantages.
Somewhat than tuition reimbursement, nonetheless, Starwood supplied its staff tuition help. This monetary help meant that Fox might enroll in a level program with out being required to pay the price of attendance up entrance.
“I looked for distance studying and located American Navy College. I had a head begin with 90 hours to my credit score. However to earn my diploma, I wanted one other 60 hours, so my educational journey started,” she observes. “I selected AMU initially for my bachelor’s diploma, as a result of it was a totally accredited, distance-learning college that didn’t require on-site attendance.”
At this level, Fox was employed full-time and elevating a household. Nonetheless, she was decided to earn her BBA.
“It’s a stability, and it’s time administration. It’s desirous to do it – it’s not like once you’re in highschool, once you’re doing it since you have to do it. It’s since you need to do it,” explains Fox.
By taking one eight-week course at a time, Fox accomplished her research and graduated in 2005 along with her BBA. Nonetheless, her educational endeavors have been removed from over.
In September 2020, Fox returned to AMU to pursue her MBA. “I selected AMU for my MBA, as a result of I appreciated the expertise I had in finishing my undergraduate diploma,” she says. “Different faculties have been advised to me, however I didn’t have any need to pursue another choices.”
Graduating with the Assist of EdAssist by Shiny Horizons
Throughout her graduate research, Fox accepted a place as a senior government assistant inside T-Cell’s authorized division. There, she had entry to tuition help advantages by means of her employer’s partnership with Shiny Horizons EdAssist Options®. EdAssist’s on-line platform supplies college students with entry to their employer-provided tuition advantages.
“They’re actually good about responding,” Fox says of Shiny Horizons. “In case you run into questions or points, they reply actually quick.”
By Could of 2023, Fox accomplished her MBA diploma, simply months earlier than her seventieth birthday.
It’s By no means Too Late to Pursue Larger Training
As a lifelong learner and a proud graduate, Fox is an inspiration. “I believe that lots of people really feel like they’ve reached an age the place they’re too outdated or there’s no profit [from going back to school], however I believe there’s all the time a profit [in] preserving your thoughts sharp,” she says.
Her story not solely exemplifies perseverance, however it additionally serves as a robust reminder that even grownup learners going through monetary constraints can nonetheless pursue greater schooling with the help of tuition advantages.
Fox shares her story with the purpose of encouraging others who dream of bettering their very own lives. “I hope to proceed to the touch the lives of individuals round me,” she declares. “Wherever your journey takes you, do your finest. Give your finest to make your finest higher as you accomplish your targets and your goals.”
About College Partnerships
American Public College System (APUS), by means of American Navy College (AMU) and American Public College (APU) leads the way in which in workforce schooling. Our related packages are delivered on-line and are anchored by high quality curriculum and versatile studying pathways that serve the person wants of staff and the enterprise wants of employers alike.
By partnering with our revered on-line College, we stand able to optimize your schooling and coaching packages, resolve for worker expertise and proficiency gaps, and improve engagement. We additionally assist you keep forward of the competitors by positioning your group as an employer of selection.
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Worldwide Affiliation of Administrative Professionals and IAAP are registered logos of Worldwide Affiliation of Administrative Professionals.
EdAssist is a registered trademark of Shiny Horizons Household Options, LLC.
Shiny Horizons is a registered trademark of Shiny Horizons Household Options LLC.
Shiny Horizons EdAssist Options is a registered trademark of Shiny Horizons Household.
