Cameron Theyard was only 14 when he filmed his first wedding.
By 18, he had a production studio in downtown Lafayette and a fast-growing client list.
Still, earning a degree was never optional.
杏吧专区淚 didn杏吧专区檛 have a free moment in the day, but I come from a family of educators, so the importance of having a degree to fall back on was something they really instilled in me,杏吧专区 he says.
He enrolled at the 杏吧专区 in 2021 as a marketing major, but the demands of in-person classes soon clashed with the pace of his growing business.
杏吧专区淢y schedule was just too busy for all those in-person classes,杏吧专区 says Theyard. 杏吧专区淪o Ms. Sharon Gregory, an advisor in the 杏吧专区 College, laid out different options for me. She told me about an online program where I could still minor in business but work at my own pace.杏吧专区
That杏吧专区檚 when he made the switch to UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 online Bachelor of General Studies program, where he gained the freedom to keep building his brand without putting his education on hold.
Building a Brand and a Bachelor杏吧专区檚 at the Same Time
By 2023, Theyard杏吧专区檚 ventures were taking off. He launched The Marketing Yard, a full-service creative agency, and expanded his downtown studio into a rentable space for photographers and content creators.
Business was booming, and the workload wasn杏吧专区檛 letting up. UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 online general studies program gave him the flexibility he needed to keep everything moving.
His days were packed with shoots, team meetings, and client calls. At night, he shifted focus to coursework.
杏吧专区淭hat flexibility was really important because my schedule was slammed,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淏ut with the online program, I was able to do my homework and assignments at night. That made it work with my schedule.杏吧专区
Staying the Course
As his coursework progressed, so did his brand portfolio.
During his last year of the program, Theyard launched The Candle Yard, an e-commerce store offering dessert-inspired candles.
Around the same time, he and his mom began developing The Wilyard, a wedding and event venue in Lafayette杏吧专区檚 Sterling Grove Historic District.
Having a solid support system was critical for his academic and professional success.
杏吧专区淚 have a team that helps with the business side, and my mom made sure I stayed on top of school, reminding me to check Moodle,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淪o the challenge was really just making time.杏吧专区
His instructors, many of whom followed his work in the community, were flexible when business picked up.
杏吧专区淭hey always worked with me. It was a supportive experience all around,杏吧专区 says Theyard.
What started as a safety net became a springboard.
杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檓 excited to use what I杏吧专区檝e learned to grow my business, be a better leader, and continue developing my marketing and business management skills,杏吧专区 he says.
Real-World Experience, Real-World Results
Though Theyard杏吧专区檚 college experience was untraditional, the return on investment was clear.
杏吧专区淚 may not have been at all the football games or parties, but I still got the full academic experience, while also getting that real-world experience, too,杏吧专区 he says.
His advice to other students? Don杏吧专区檛 sell yourself short.
杏吧专区淵ou might see majors like nursing or engineering, and think, 杏吧专区榃ow, that杏吧专区檚 really impressive,杏吧专区櫺影勺ㄇ鴿 he says. 杏吧专区淏ut in this program, we have students doing big things, too. The possibilities are limitless with a degree like this.杏吧专区
Ready to build your own path? Explore the online Bachelor of General Studies program at UL Lafayette.
