Balancing work and studies is no small feat, but it becomes more manageable when you have the support of a supervisor eager to see you reach your potential.
Shannon Wilson, National Director of Engage Life, fondly recalls a work trip with Engage Life Vice President Justin Guest, when their rental car transformed into a mobile classroom.
“We were visiting Atria communities in Texas and found ourselves driving late at night,” Shannon says. “I wanted to attend a remote lecture, but we were still far from our next stop. So I told Justin, ‘We’re going to class!’ I dialed in, and we both listened, made mental notes, and discussed the lesson right there on the highway. It was a fun way to pass the time.”
Shannon is part of a growing number of Atria employees benefiting from a tuition reimbursement program that helps further their education while working full time.
“I’ve always enjoyed learning. I’m a very curious person,” Shannon says. “But from my undergraduate experience, I knew I didn’t want to take on any student loans. I reached a point in my career where I wanted to combine my experience in senior living with formal business training, so I decided to explore the tuition reimbursement program.”
Shannon remembered hearing about the program during new-hire orientation but assumed it would involve a lot of paperwork and a complicated process. But once she looked into it, she found the reimbursement process to be easy, straightforward, and quick.
“The program was simple and flexible. In total, I paid less than $1,000 to earn my master’s degree,” she says. “The only regret I have is not doing it sooner.”
Shannon found her extensive experience at Atria had prepared her well for the coursework at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Atria’s approach provided a solid foundation of knowledge, and the classes helped her put a name to it all.
While balancing coursework with a full-time job wasn’t always easy, her MBA proved an incredibly worthwhile investment to serve her career ambitions for years to come.
In addition to their cap and gown, NKU students have a unique tradition of gifting a white “stole of gratitude” to someone who supported them on their educational journey. Shannon gave hers to Justin – supervisor, friend, and inadvertent road trip classmate.
“The financial boost of tuition reimbursement is amazing,” she says. “But the encouragement from my colleagues and my company to help me grow is equally valuable.”