Monday, May 9, 2022

I Did It! I'm a College Graduate!



In my previous post I said I would tell you about my graduation from BYU-Idaho. Well, today's the day to share more about my college graduation journey.

Here's a little background history. After graduating from high school I began working in the Word Processing Department of Standard Oil Company (now Chevron Corporation) in San Francisco. I worked there for about a year and then took an educational leave of absence to attend college at BYU-Provo. After two semesters, I was able to come home and work during the summer and went back to BYU-Provo for my third semester. After the third semester I decided to go back home. I did not return to BYU-Provo. Instead I went back to work and then married my sweetheart. We began our family and I was able to be a stay-at-home mom of our five children. Over the years I took some classes at community colleges, but I never earned a degree. All five of our children are married. My husband and I are now empty-nesters and we are grandparents of nine adorable grandchildren. Our tenth grandchild is due this year. I sure do love my family!

A number of years ago I heard about the BYU-Pathway Worldwide Program. This program provides its students with the ability to transfer to BYU-Idaho or Ensign College. And it can be completed all online! In 2019 I applied and was accepted into the BYU-Pathway Worldwide Program. This one-year (three consecutive semesters) program enabled me to begin my college education again. I took a total of fifteen credits at BYU-Pathway Worldwide that transferred over to BYU-Idaho.

In April 2020 I began attending BYU-Idaho as an online student. I decided to complete my two degrees at BYU-Idaho in two years, which meant I would not have a full summer break (April to September) each year. Instead, I took three consecutive semesters each year and had a shortened summer break. It was a lot of work but was definitely worth it to finish sooner.

Thankfully, most, if not all, of my BYU-Provo credits and many of my other college credits transferred to BYU-Idaho which also helped me finish college sooner. I began BYU-Pathway Worldwide in April 2019 and graduated from BYU-Idaho in April 2022 - a total of three years.

I was able to earn two degrees: an Associate of Applied Science in Family History Research and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies. Along with other required classes to earn the bachelor's degree, I completed three certificates: Family History Research, Advanced Family History Research, and Administrative Assistant. The family history certificates also counted toward my AAS in Family History Research degree.


I decided to attend my graduation in person and walk across the stage to receive my diploma cover (the actual diplomas are sent in the mail). It was exciting to be there. My husband and I traveled to Idaho and two of our children and their families were able to attend as well, which was amazing!

Two of my local friends graduated with their bachelor's degrees too. They also traveled to graduate in person and we were able to sit together at our convocation. It was great!

I am grateful for the support of my family through my college graduation journey. I am also thankful for the help I received from my Heavenly Father. I know He helped me with my school work through the years.

Thanks for stopping by!

Jana

© 2022 Copyright by Jana Iverson Last, All Rights Reserved

24 comments:

  1. Congratulations! What an accomplishment!!!!

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  2. Congratulations, Jana! What an accomplishment, especially finishing in such a short time. Don't you love the certificate program, and BYU-Pathway. Well done to you.

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  3. Congratulations!

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  4. Kudos, Jana, for going back to school and getting your diploma.

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  5. You did it, Jana! Congratulations on this milestone accomplishment.

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  6. Congratulations!! That's wonderful.

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  7. I enjoyed reading your post, Jana. You will always have this new education no matter what you do, it can't be taken away. I wish I had gone further, than my Associates Degree, but now it is too late. Congratulations!

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  8. Congratulations

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  9. Good for you! Congratulations!

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  10. Just ran across your blog this morning and noticed your accomplishment, congrats! I've always wondered about formalizing my OTJ training in family history so while I was at RootsTech I finally stopped by the BYU-Idaho and BYU-Pathway booths. Had that strong impression that I should take the plunge and here I am... finishing up block 2 and enrolled for my first class in the same program in September! It's never too late to start... I'm 68 and enjoying this so much!

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    1. Yay! That's great Genealogy Dad! Keep up the great work!

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  11. Congratulations Jana! You did it! I finally finished my two certificates, and now I'm working on my general ed classes and my last certificate! I'm so happy for you! Again, congratulations my friend. I enjoyed our classes together. I miss you and a lot of our classmates. It's been a wonderful ride!

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    1. Thank you so much Kimberley! Congrats on your progress! You've got this!

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  12. Thank you for your post. I am nearly in the same path as you were. An exciting time to learn so much. I'm working on my 2nd certificate now.

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    1. Thank you for your comment Jill! That's so awesome that you're working on your 2nd certificate! Congrats!

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