Finished Business

When I was in high school, I always thought that by the time I was in college, I would have my life all figured out. I pictured myself as a traditional student – living on campus, attending all my classes and eventually walking across the stage to receive my diploma. But things didn’t go quite as planned.

I chose Simpson College as a traditional student, enrolling fresh out of high school. For three years I struggled off-and-on academically and eventually left Simpson after my junior year without a degree. After Simpson, I returned home and bounced between jobs before an early mentor of mine convinced me to apply for, and accept, a job in a local insurance company’s claim call center.

When I left Simpson, I never imagined that I would return but 10 years later with a budding insurance career and a growing family, my perspective changed. My mentor challenged me to think bigger for my career and see if Simpson College could help me reach my potential. As it turns out, it could.

I returned to Simpson and completed my degree in 18 months through the Continuing, Graduate and Online Education (CGOE) Program in West Des Moines. Simpson’s CGOE program was designed for working adults. The staff and professors understand that students have commitments outside of the classroom and have created paths to graduation that allow students to work on their own schedules. I wouldn’t have been able to continue my education while also maintaining my career without the flexibility of the CGOE program.

I graduated with a degree in business management in 2014 and have been proud to call myself a Simpson alum ever since.

Looking back at my time at Simpson as a traditional student and then again as a working adult, I realize that it has always been a special place to me. Simpson is where I met many of my friends, and it’s the place that gave me direction when I needed it most. I’ll be forever grateful to Simpson College for everything they’ve done for me, and I encourage anyone like me who is thinking about returning to college to do so. It’s never too late to finish what you started!