For Chanoah Smith, the dream never changed. Only the timing.
She杏吧专区檇 planned to attend the 杏吧专区 right after high school. Instead, she stayed in Baton Rouge and started college close to home but left school before earning her degree.
In the years that followed, Smith built a full life with a steady career in banking, a growing family, and all the scheduling demands that come with being a working parent. Still, the idea of finishing her degree never fully left her.
In 2024, she transferred credits she earned through a local community college to complete her business degree through UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 online management program.
杏吧专区淚 thought, let me just go to the school I always wanted to go to,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淥nline just made sense for me. I杏吧专区檓 older now, I have a daughter, and I work full time. It was just easier.杏吧专区
After more than a decade, Smith had achieved one goal and now has the key to aim even higher.
Building Momentum
Online classes were a first for Smith, but she adjusted quickly.
杏吧专区淚t worked so much better for me. Being online just made it more manageable,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淵ou set a schedule and work through it at your own pace.杏吧专区
Juggling a full-time job, motherhood, and school meant early mornings. Her days began with a 4:30 a.m. workout, followed by getting her daughter ready and heading to work.
Homework didn杏吧专区檛 wait for perfect moments; it happened in stolen pockets of time: lunch breaks, late nights, weekends.
Smith crafted a rhythm to keep the chaos in check.
杏吧专区淚 would focus on one class per day throughout the week,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淏y the weekend, I杏吧专区檇 have all my work done to enjoy myself.杏吧专区
But she wasn杏吧专区檛 doing it alone.
杏吧专区淭he instructors were always available. I杏吧专区檇 message them, and they杏吧专区檇 get back with me either the same day or the next,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淓ven the staff 杏吧专区 financial aid, enrollment support 杏吧专区 they always answered the phone. Everything was smooth.杏吧专区
Looking Ahead
Smith杏吧专区檚 degree may be in management, but her current career is in the classroom, teaching Pre-K in Baton Rouge.
Her goal is to eventually transition into HR with the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
She杏吧专区檚 already taken her first step by enrolling in UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 MBA online program with a concentration in Human Resource Management. "I feel like I made the best decision to set myself up for that path,杏吧专区 she says.
Her advice for future online students? Start early, stay organized, and lean on your classmates.
杏吧专区淒o all the easy stuff first,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭urn your work in early, join the class group chats, talk to your classmates. It helps. And have patience, especially when you're waiting on final grades.杏吧专区
Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore the online management degree or online MBA in Human Resources at UL Lafayette.