How Analiece Clark Balanced EMT Work and School to Earn Her BA in Communication

Analiece Clark '23 wasn't always sure she was going to make it to the finish line and finally earn her online bachelor's in communication degree. But after taking two courses per term for two years, the Arkansas resident walked across the stage at Southern New Hampshire University's commencement ceremonies to complete her journey. 

"I, at one point, didn't want to continue. I was burnt out with my job and with school. I just felt like I was stretched too thin," Clark said. "But finally getting it is this relief and excitement that I'm ready to move on to this next chapter. It was very exhilarating finishing my degree." 

Clark said she was struggling at another university when a friend told her to take a look at SNHU's program. The online format and support from her advisor was what she was looking for.

"I said, 'I need that. It fits my schedule perfectly," she said.

Clark earned her degree while working as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and hopes to leverage her degree to move into a public relations role.

"Hopefully I can move on up and see where it will take me," she said. 

Clark paused when asked what her younger self would say to her now as a college graduate. She said it would probably be a sense of disbelief.

"If I could talk to my starting self ... I think I'd be amazed that I even got here and that I finished," she said.

Joe Cote is a writer and organic marketer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where he has worked since 2016. Previously he spent more than a dozen years as a reporter and editor at weekly and daily newspapers in Vermont and New Hampshire. He lives near SNHU's Manchester, New Hampshire campus with his wife and daughter. Connect with him on LinkedIn.