How Christine Finished a Bachelor's 20 Years After Her Associate Degree

Christine Viera '21 earned an Associate of Arts (AA) degree years prior to starting at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). However, she said finishing a bachelor's degree was always on her bucket list.

"It's been 20 years since I graduated with my AA, and I wasn't sure that I could do this," Viera said after earning a bachelor's in marketing with a concentration in social media marketing.

She said that she knew completing her degree would be a big commitment — "but SNHU made it easy," she said.

From the start, she said she also knew she could trust SNHU after the majority of her credits from her AA transferred into her bachelor's program.

The Right Format

Viera noted that she chose an online degree because she was working and caring for family, so she needed a program that could fit into her life.

"With a sick husband and two kids, while working full time, this was ideal," she said of SNHU's online program.

Studying online requires self-motivation, according to Viera. "It works well for someone who is able to learn on their own," she said. "For me, this was an ideal concept, letting me work at my own pace."

She said it was easy for her to get into a routine once she started the program. "And help was always close at hand, even though it was remote," she said.

Growing as a Marketing Professional

When Viera came to SNHU, she said she was already working in marketing and looking to advance. Despite her background in the field, she said she still learned a great deal from her marketing coursework.

"I cannot begin to list the new skills I have gained," she said. "Everything about the marketing program has helped me to be better at my job."

She said she's learned how to create graphics, track and follow campaigns and find an audience. She noted that her favorite course, "Advertising Copy and Design," was especially impactful because it required collaboration with other students.

But one trait she developed during her program stood out above the others. "Confidence is probably the biggest skill that I gained," she said.

At work, Viera noted that her supervisor and colleagues were supportive while she earned her degree. "In fact, my supervisor has thought of enrolling as well, and specifically asked me about my SNHU degree," she said.

So, with all said and done, Viera said finishing her degree at SNHU was the right choice. "It is definitely among the best decisions I have made," she said.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor’s and master’s, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon’s short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.