How a Part-time Bachelor's Degree Fit into Michele Ortiz’s Full-time Life
About 30 years ago, Michele Ortiz was working and attending classes at community college when, as she puts it, "life happened." She continued working but paused school to raise her two children, now teenagers. “Once my kids were a little bit older and I was able to get out of the house more and focus more on some things for myself, I decided it was time to go back to school," she says. Northwestern University School of Professional Studies was ready for her when she returned.
For Ortiz, who has worked in Northwestern University’s General Counsel’s office since 2016, getting her degree from Northwestern’s part-time undergraduate program was an obvious choice. “I had been at the University for about a year,” she says. “I thought, ‘You know what? I can keep procrastinating, or I can start. I can do this.’" She transferred the credits she had earned in Wilbur Wright College’s two-year program and began pursuing her bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, since the classes covered skills she could put to use both at work and in life.
Practical communication studies skills on a practical schedule
Ortiz says her Communication Studies courses has enhanced the research and writing skills she’s been developing at work and has built new strengths, like public speaking. “I don’t think my generation is as comfortable speaking publicly as my children, who get up and speak often and do presentations.” In her other courses, Ortiz gained additional writing and research skills that, she says, “I use today when I correspond with different people I work with both externally and internally at the University.”
Particularly influential among her instructors were Megan Barnard, who taught a Team Leadership and Decision-Making course that Ortiz says was “amazing,” and Jen Baker, who teaches Communication Studies courses. “I’ve enjoyed and learned so much from each one of her classes,” says Ortiz. She rounded out her studies with Spanish, taught by Elena Lanza. “She is the most patient and kindest person I have had the pleasure of meeting at SPS,” says Ortiz.
Ortiz takes classes on weekends and evenings, both online and in-person, and is grateful for Northwestern SPS's flexible schedule that allows her time to attend her kids’ extracurriculars and volunteer at their school. Her spouse also deserves some credit, she says. "I'm fortunate enough to have a husband who’s extremely helpful with the kids and around the house and has been supportive of my going back to school.”
Lifelong learners of all ages in Northwestern SPS courses
Heading back to the classroom for her undergraduate years after she had last been in school in her early 20s, Ortiz admits feeling initial trepidation. “I felt a little out of place at first. I soon found out that there are students there ranging in ages from 18 to 70 years old, and you know what? I fit right in. Everybody was very welcoming.” She says the age range of students enhances the educational experience. “I am learning quite a bit from other generations, whether they're older or younger than I am, and from the different perspectives they have. I’m able to share mine as well. It’s really a wonderful experience and one of the highlights of SPS for me.”
Ortiz enjoys her work with the University’s General Counsel’s office, where she was recently promoted to business administrator. She says she has already applied the skills from her courses in her job and plans to continue doing so with her Communications Studies degree. “Finishing this degree is not only about learning new skills and applying them to my job, but it's also something that I've wanted to do,” she says. “It’s a personal goal for me.” She also says, “I'm doing the job that I want to do, and I love it. There's not much more you can ask for.”
If she has one regret, Ortiz wishes she had returned to school sooner. She jokes that maybe she will graduate at the same time as her oldest son. “Maybe we’ll be in our caps and gowns together,” she says.
Northwestern University School of Professional Studies offers many degree and certificate programs, with evening and online options available. To learn more about how Northwestern University's part-time bachelor's in Communication Studies prepares graduates for careers in communications fill out the form below and we will be in touch with you soon.