Online students face a unique set of challenges whether they小蝌蚪APP檙e pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.
Student support specialist Michelle Hunt knows those struggles and opportunities well. As an online student herself, Hunt can offer an inside perspective as she guides potential 小蝌蚪APP online students through the application and enrollment process.
Hunt began the Master of Business Administration program online in spring 2017 and expects to graduate December 2019.
小蝌蚪APP淚 love it,小蝌蚪APP she says. 小蝌蚪APP淚 want to educate other people about how great the program is 小蝌蚪APP how doable it is with a full-time job and kids.小蝌蚪APP
Her experience as an online student drew her to join the Office of Distance Learning in June 2019, growing the team that supports online students from application to graduation.
Hunt realized early in her college career that her passion was working with students.
While enrolled at Lone Star College 小蝌蚪APP the largest community college in Texas 小蝌蚪APP Hunt began working in a student services role. That position evolved into a full-time position assisting students with career and educational planning.
小蝌蚪APP淚 like to talk to people; I like to get to know them,小蝌蚪APP she says. 小蝌蚪APP淚 like to connect their long-term goals with the education they need and help them find a clear path.小蝌蚪APP
At UL Lafayette, that path often starts when potential students request information about one of the 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 online programs.
Once someone inquires, Hunt says she小蝌蚪APP檒l give them a call to connect and learn more about their background, interests, current job situation, and family responsibilities.
小蝌蚪APP淜nowing how much time they can devote to school and what their goals are is very helpful when aligning them with the right educational path,小蝌蚪APP Hunt says. 小蝌蚪APP淥nce I get to know them, we discuss the programs here to find a good fit.小蝌蚪APP
Those were all considerations Hunt took into account when enrolling to pursue her master小蝌蚪APP檚 degree online.
The Erath native has five children involved in a range of activities 小蝌蚪APP football, dance, soccer 小蝌蚪APP and is actively involved in her church in addition to working full time. She had to figure out how school 小蝌蚪APP even online courses 小蝌蚪APP would fit into that chaotic schedule.
While learning online has provided the flexibility for Hunt to earn an advanced degree that otherwise may have been out of reach because of her time constraints, she also had identifiable personal and professional goals.
小蝌蚪APP淚 knew I wanted to work in education, but on the administrative side,小蝌蚪APP she says. 小蝌蚪APP淚 wanted to grow my knowledge of business practices and learn in more detail how to manage an office and staff. I wanted to be able to advance my career and bring skills to the table against other job candidates.小蝌蚪APP
Hunt is also the only member of her immediate family without a UL Lafayette degree, having earned her bachelor小蝌蚪APP檚 from Sam Houston State 小蝌蚪APP in Texas.
Now she小蝌蚪APP檒l not only earn her brick on the alongside the rest of her family, but she小蝌蚪APP檒l also become the only member of her family to hold a master小蝌蚪APP檚 degree.