Graduate shares how online bachelor’s boosted her career – and her confidence

How has earning your degree impacted your career since you graduated?

It has opened a lot of doors for me. I remember doing dozens of informational interviews throughout Madison starting two years before graduation, and while most employers did not specifically require a bachelor’s degree for many of their roles, most of them were looking for candidates with a degree for baseline knowledge in the industry. Since graduating, I’ve had numerous companies reach out to me asking me to apply for their open roles, but I am happy with my current role.

Have you experienced any promotions, new responsibilities or job changes since graduating?

I received a job offer for my current role three days before I graduated. For a year now, I have been working as a wealth management client associate at Merrill Lynch, where I work with two financial advisors to provide client care and service, perform administrative duties and learn all that I can about the industry. The beautiful part about my new job is I originally found out about it through a UW–Madison grad.

What specific knowledge or skills from your online program do you often employ in your career?

My program was incredibly hands-on and focused deeply on real-world experiences, which has come in handy as I work with individuals and families to help implement and maintain their financial plans. Additionally, since the onset of COVID, many clients prefer to meet virtually instead of in the office, so all my time as an online student has made me a great technology troubleshooter! 

What’s something you’ve done since graduating that you might not have pursued without your degree?

I did a complete 180-degree pivot in my career! I had a long-term career in the automotive industry that I had successfully navigated without a college degree, but I would not have had the confidence to make this massive transition without finishing my studies.

What challenges have you faced post-graduation, and how did your experience as a returning student help you navigate them?

It was much harder than I expected to leave my previous company, where I had worked for 12 years, amassed a ton of corporate knowledge and made a lot of connections. There is something comforting about working in a job for that long! However, as a returning adult student, I was used to constant change and to juggling a lot of different demands at once, so when I was still very new to my [current] role, I used my experience to guide me through the uncertainty and to find the new “normal.”

Were there resources or people from your UW–Madison Online program that you’ve continued to rely on or stay connected with?

I’ve stayed in touch with Autumn Sanchez (from the Badger Ready program) and with Lindsay Dritsas (from the School of Human Ecology). A lot of our conversations revolve around ways to give back as a Badger alum. I love what Badger Ready and the Adult Career and Special Student Services teams do for the community, showing that college education as a returning adult student is a worthwhile pursuit. It has been fun coming back to speak with current students on what they can expect or what to look for after graduation.

What are your goals for the next few years, and how do you see your degree playing a role in achieving them?

I am currently working on getting my securities licenses, then I will work towards achieving my Certified Financial Planner designation while moving into a financial advisor role. Having my degree, and the education behind it, has made the career change easier, and having baseline knowledge before entering the industry has been incredibly helpful. It really is the stepping stone for the next phase of my career and my life!