Transitioning from a student to student support

If at first you don’t succeed, try again. When Jonathan first enrolled in classes at IU Northwest in 2001, he soon realized he wasn’t ready for college. Not long after, he dropped out.

Fast forward a decade and some change, and Jonathan returned to IU Northwest, working again toward his undergraduate degree in business. This time, it was the right time, and he graduated in 2019.

And, now today, he’s about to graduate with his Master's of Business Administration. “I fell in love with the IU Northwest community,” Jonathan said. “Going back for my master’s degree was an easy choice.”

His interest in a master’s degree was piqued when Professor of Business, Charles Hobson mentioned a waiver program for graduate classes. Beyond the financial incentive, Jonathan also wanted to continue working in higher education.

“When I saw a position in the IU Northwest Office of Student Accounts, I immediately jumped at the chance to interview,” he said. “I told myself, if I get the job, it is meant for me to go to graduate school. I received the offer letter in the mail, and that solidified my decision to attend graduate school.”

But like so many other students, Jonathan struggled with time management. He was juggling two jobs, a hefty academic workload, and his home life. He said he missed several events to study and work on projects. “I overcame these obstacles by reminding myself that if I keep pushing, I will eventually overcome this hurdle,” he said.

For Jonathan, the relationships he developed with faculty, staff, and other students made the challenging work well worth it. He encourages his peers to connect with professors and take advantage of all the organizations on campus.

“And do not forget to breathe! There will be some challenging classes. Just complete things one at a time, and do not forget to ask for help,” he reminds his fellow MBA students.

With a master’s degree in hand, Jonathan is excited to grow his career in higher education. And he’s off to a great start as he continues to work in the IU Northwest Office of Student Accounts as a Student Accounts Assistant.

“I found a passion in helping young people navigate college and the financial part of it,” he said. “I hope to continue working for IU Northwest to make opportunities for students even greater.”

From a master’s student to a student financial aid advocate, Jonathan has a bright future ahead as he turns his success into opportunities for others. It goes to show that the bumps in the road are just a part of the journey.