СAPPItСAPPs honestly been quite a roller coaster.СAPP
Ellen Butler worked her way through a dizzying series of twists and turns, before earning her BSBA in Management online from the СAPP.
She changed schools, she changed majors, she sat out semesters, and through it all she supported herself financially.
СAPPPretty much since I graduated high school, IСAPPve had to pay my own way for college and just life in general,СAPP says Butler.
ButlerСAPPs roller coaster began to smooth out when she was hired to work full-time in bookkeeping at Red LerilleСAPPs Health & Racquet Club in 2018.
She gained a set schedule, a steady income, and a new drive to get her degree back on track.
СAPPThat kind of re-lit the flame for me for business and management,СAPP says Butler, who had started out majoring in accounting before trying a different discipline.
Butler found the B.S.B.A. in Management program online in the СAPPСAPPs selection of business degrees and recognized that the online option would give her the flexibility to keep working full-time.
Finding her Pace
Butler had two positive reactions to getting back on track: a huge boost to her confidence and feeling like she had finally found the right major for her.
СAPPI felt more comfortable in the program,СAPP she says. СAPPI was a little more interested in what I was learning.СAPP
Unfortunately, the strength of her optimism and initiative led Butler to overwhelm herself with a heavy class-load.
ButlerСAPPs advisor, Dr. Dione Davis, stepped in and recommended Butler slow down, and after two overloaded semesters she listened.
Still, Butler faced the challenge of finding and maintaining balance between her job, school, family and friendships.
СAPPItСAPPs always been a big balance with making sure IСAPPm working enough to keep a roof over my head, but also not working too much СAPP ThatСAPPs definitely been the biggest challenge.СAPP
With some trial and error, Butler calibrated her weekly habits and found what worked for her.
СAPPAt first, I was just dedicating my weekends to doing all my schoolwork,СAPP says Butler. СAPPI realized quickly that is not sufficient at all and it burns me out.СAPP
Instead, Butler would dedicate some weeknights to readings and assignments and only use Sundays if necessary.
Family and friends leaned in to support Butler, cheer her on, and enforce that balance where they could.
СAPPIСAPPm lucky that I have a lot of family in Lafayette, so I might not get to hang out with them much, but theyСAPPd tell me СAPPEllen, why donСAPPt you come over, weСAPPre cooking dinner tonight,СAPPСAPP says Butler.
Likewise, Butler says friends were supportive and understanding about having СAPPchillСAPP friend times like watching movies at home so she СAPPwould still be able to study.СAPP
The support was vital because Butler could be hard on herself when the stress mounted. Most often, she felt discouraged that her undergraduate degree was taking more than four years to complete.
СAPPThere were so many times that I wanted to give up,СAPP says Butler. СAPPBut then there were so many times when I was like, СAPPEllen, youСAPPre right there. YouСAPPre so close. YouСAPPre not going to come and do all this work to not have something to show for it.СAPPСAPP
Forging Ahead
Butler earned her bachelorСAPPs degree in Fall СAPP22, and before graduating, she also began her own business.
СAPPItСAPPs called ; itСAPPs permanent jewelry,СAPP says Butler. СAPPI do little pop-ups and events; IСAPPll do parties and things like that, and itСAPPs really like kind of taken off.СAPP
She also remains dedicated to her role in bookkeeping at the health club. As she and her position grow and change, sheСAPPs using more and more of what she learned in her business and management classes.
СAPPIСAPPm like half bookkeeping, half HR and payroll,СAPP she says. СAPPI love it. So, I hope to stay there for a long time.СAPP