Cameron Theyard was only 14 when he filmed his first wedding.
By 18, he had a production studio in downtown Lafayette and a fast-growing client list.
Still, earning a degree was never optional.
小蝌蚪APP淚 didn小蝌蚪APP檛 have a free moment in the day, but I come from a family of educators, so the importance of having a degree to fall back on was something they really instilled in me,小蝌蚪APP he says.
He enrolled at the 小蝌蚪APP in 2021 as a marketing major, but the demands of in-person classes soon clashed with the pace of his growing business.
小蝌蚪APP淢y schedule was just too busy for all those in-person classes,小蝌蚪APP says Theyard. 小蝌蚪APP淪o Ms. Sharon Gregory, an advisor in the 小蝌蚪APP College, laid out different options for me. She told me about an online program where I could still minor in business but work at my own pace.小蝌蚪APP
That小蝌蚪APP檚 when he made the switch to UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 online Bachelor of General Studies program, where he gained the freedom to keep building his brand without putting his education on hold.
Building a Brand and a Bachelor小蝌蚪APP檚 at the Same Time
By 2023, Theyard小蝌蚪APP檚 ventures were taking off. He launched The Marketing Yard, a full-service creative agency, and expanded his downtown studio into a rentable space for photographers and content creators.
Business was booming, and the workload wasn小蝌蚪APP檛 letting up. UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 online general studies program gave him the flexibility he needed to keep everything moving.
His days were packed with shoots, team meetings, and client calls. At night, he shifted focus to coursework.
小蝌蚪APP淭hat flexibility was really important because my schedule was slammed,小蝌蚪APP he says. 小蝌蚪APP淏ut with the online program, I was able to do my homework and assignments at night. That made it work with my schedule.小蝌蚪APP
Staying the Course
As his coursework progressed, so did his brand portfolio.
During his last year of the program, Theyard launched The Candle Yard, an e-commerce store offering dessert-inspired candles. Around the same time, he and his mom began developing The Wilyard, a wedding and event venue in Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 Sterling Grove Historic District.
Having a solid support system was critical for his academic and professional success.
小蝌蚪APP淚 have a team that helps with the business side, and my mom made sure I stayed on top of school, reminding me to check Moodle,小蝌蚪APP he says. 小蝌蚪APP淪o the challenge was really just making time.小蝌蚪APP
His instructors, many of whom followed his work in the community, were flexible when business picked up.
小蝌蚪APP淭hey always worked with me. It was a supportive experience all around,小蝌蚪APP says Theyard.
What started as a safety net became a springboard.
小蝌蚪APP淚小蝌蚪APP檓 excited to use what I小蝌蚪APP檝e learned to grow my business, be a better leader, and continue developing my marketing and business management skills,小蝌蚪APP he says.
Real-World Experience, Real-World Results
Though Theyard小蝌蚪APP檚 college experience was untraditional, the return on investment was clear.
小蝌蚪APP淚 may not have been at all the football games or parties, but I still got the full academic experience, while also getting that real-world experience, too,小蝌蚪APP he says.
His advice to other students? Don小蝌蚪APP檛 sell yourself short.
小蝌蚪APP淵ou might see majors like nursing or engineering, and think, 小蝌蚪APP榃ow, that小蝌蚪APP檚 really impressive,小蝌蚪APP櫺◎蝌紸PP he says. 小蝌蚪APP淏ut in this program, we have students doing big things, too. The possibilities are limitless with a degree like this.小蝌蚪APP
Ready to build your own path? Explore the online Bachelor of General Studies program at UL Lafayette.
