“I always thought I was too old to go back to school,” says Jayla McCann. “I kick myself that it took four years.”
McCann loved the culinary arts. In California, she was working with food, people, and managing restaurants. And she’d begun a degree in hospitality administration at Peralta Community College in Oakland. COVID upended her paradise. Her restaurant closed, and with it her sense of security in the food industry. She moved to Indiana and is now a full-time service advisor at Ray Skillman Mazda in Indianapolis. Though she enjoys using her people skills, it’s not a career.
McCann transferred her previous credits to Ivy Tech Community College’s hospitality administration program and earned a Certified Pastry Culinarian Certification and an Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Administration.
With the food industry still iffy, McCann decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree that would allow her to combine her interests in people, hospitality, and management. She chose the healthcare management track in IU Online’s Bachelor of Applied Science.
Are you ever too old to go back?
McCann had reservations about pursuing a bachelor’s degree. “I’m in my 30s. I was concerned about being in classes with all these kids,” she says. Nevertheless, she enrolled in January 2022. “Turns out there were other people well into their careers, returning to school to learn more.” The “kids” in her classes gave her an unexpected learning and coaching opportunity. “I take school very seriously, but the kids’ motivation was across the board. This was an opportunity to help younger students manage their time. We can always learn from everyone.”
McCann still works 40 hours a week. She fits school into her life as a dedicated mom with a son in an honors program. “I don’t know how to do part-time anything,” she says.
Study on your own time
McCann has always loved school. She was surprised to find she preferred online learning. “I like having control over the processes I use to get my work done. Your timing is your own. In in-person classes, you do it the way the instructor wants. Here I do it my own way, at my own pace.” Is online as rigorous as in-person? “It’s more challenging,” she says. “It’s on you to figure out how to get it done. I love the challenge. I’ve learned a lot about myself.”
Interactive classes
“There’s lots of interaction with other students on class discussion boards,” says McCann. “We get to know each other the first week of classes. All semester we interact, commenting on each other’s posts. There’s plenty of teamwork—group projects are exciting and a great way to get to know people.”
As for communicating with professors, McCann says that “they’re on it. They take connecting with students very seriously.” Most set up their class materials in Canvas in a very organized way. But not everyone has the same system, and some courses require more skillful navigating. “Especially with six- or eight-week courses,” she says, “it’s important that all class materials be super organized.”
Shout out to her success coach
A high point of McCann’s experience is her success coach Shohn Beeson. One semester was a rollercoaster of challenges. “I felt overwhelmed,” she says. “I needed someone to talk to.” She turned to Beeson. “He was a steady presence. He helped me navigate all that turmoil. He was there for the whole ride. Having a success coach like that, as a cheerleader, encouraging you, is incredibly valuable. I recommend him as much as I possibly can.”
Looking ahead
McCann plans to go to graduate school. She’s thinking about a Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in public management or human resources management. “A master’s in human resources management will take me anywhere. I’ll have ultimate flexibility. I love people, love helping people. This degree can help me bring about change.”
But before grad school, McCann will take a couple of years to get hands-on training in human resources or the public health side of business.
To prospective IU Online students, she says, “I hope my experience will help someone. I’m so glad I did this. If you’re on the fence, this is the perfect time to do this. It’s never too late. Just do it and see what happens!”
