Kelly Kirk
While earning my Accounting degree, I transitioned from being an intern to a full-time healthcare consultant at an accounting firm. My new position was a real step up in my career, and Franklin helped make it possible for me. At first I was a little intimidated by the schedule – working full time, attending school full time, enjoying family and friends, fitting in my exercise sessions. But being in classes filled with a diverse mixture of students, most of whom worked full time and had plenty of other responsibilities, gave me a sense of confidence and structure that I needed to stay focused. I found that I could attend class two or three nights a week and do most of my homework on the weekends. I also discovered that online classes are perfect for people with busy schedules. It meant a lot to me that Franklin’s instructors really knew their stuff. Since they’re working professionals, they not only understand being busy, they also share personal experiences from their jobs that highlight what they’re teaching us. And believe me, Franklin’s faculty didn’t sacrifice their expectation for excellence just because we were busy adults! For me, it was highly satisfying to earn good grades while being challenged. Most importantly, what I learned through Franklin’s classes was directly useful in my career. The accounting coursework was immediately applicable to my job, while other classes gave me a big-picture perspective of the world. For example, the Global Cultures course opened my eyes to different ways of thinking, communicating and conducting oneself. Through my education, I have become more open-minded, as well as more adept at thinking strategically. No matter what roles I eventually take on in my profession, these are universally desirable traits in any business setting. The sacrifices of personal time were worth every effort to get this degree. My family was very supportive of my ambition to eventually become a Certified Public Accountant - they see that I’m happy as I grow in my chosen profession. And being happy is what it’s really all about, isn’t it? |
