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Online Learner Profiles: Nicole S.

Profiles of Real Online Learners

Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Nicole S., Online M.B.A.

For many busy moms, online learning offers a flexible alternative to obtain an education while they raise their children.

Nicole Sabatino, 29, is one educationally-savvy mom that has relied on the Internet to help her take courses and fulfill a dream.

She started her education after high school by getting a certificate in office occupations from Daley West Side Technical Center. From there, Nicole got her Associate’s degree from Moraine Valley Community College. She spent one semester at Harold Washington College while she waited for acceptance into the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Two semesters into her tenure there, she learned that she was pregnant. "My education halted there until I found an online university," recalls Nicole.

But she picked up her education again, obtaining her bachelor’s degree online in Business Administration from University of Phoenix Online.

"I started thinking about going back to school about a year after my first daughter was born. I knew that in order to provide well for her, I needed to complete my education."

Now working for Chicago Public Schools as an Administrative Assistant, Nicole has chosen to pursue her Master’s degree in Business Administration, and expects to graduate in Spring 2008. With two girls, ages 2 and 4, her plate is full.

But online learning is making it possible to further her career potential.

"I hope to obtain to obtain a position with a reputable company where I can feel like I am doing something for the greater good and utilizing the degrees I have worked so hard for. I believe that with my Master’s degree in Business Administration, many more doors will open for me and allow me to find a great job with great pay," she says.

We caught up with this busy mom to find out how she balances motherhood and school with the demands of a full-time job.

When and why did you start to consider going back to school?

The Community Physical Education program I was enrolled in only offered daytime classes during the week, and I needed to work full-time. It was impossible for me to work my current job and go to school.

Wanting to complete my degree, I started to look for other options and found out more about online courses. Through the program, I would be able to complete my entire Bachelor’s degree online in an accelerated program, without ever stepping foot in a classroom.

This meant I could work during the day and still be at home in the evenings with my daughters, which was perfect for me.

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