By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
With one child starting college and another starting high school, Nancy Ray knew that going back to school herself would be a challenge.
Working full-time meant that Ray had to find an education option that would work with her hectic life.
“I chose Rio Salado because there was no way I would be able to fit a traditional school schedule into my life,” Ray said. “With two kids in school, I needed to be able to do classes whenever I had the time to sneak bits in during the week.”
With an interest in the law, Ray decided to pursue an associate degree in paralegal studies at Rio Salado, which is conveniently offered online.
“Learning from home was convenient because you don't have to be in a class at a specific time,” Ray said. “Another plus is that you can always get ahead a little in your assignments if you know you have a busy week coming up.”
She also noted that learning at home can cause some distractions.
“I would recommend that students have a dedicated spot for school, and only do schoolwork in that space,” Ray said. “It makes it easier to focus on learning. Partitioning off the space, even if it’s just mentally, can be a real help.”
Of all her Rio classes, Ray especially enjoyed Interpersonal Communications.
“I kind of like to nerd out about the how’s and whys of the way people talk and learn from each other,” Ray said. “Not all communication needs to be verbal, or even look like a traditional conversation.”
In December 2021, Ray completed her paralegal degree program and with help from Rio, secured an internship with a small law firm in Tempe, which went on to hire her full-time.
Ray credits her Rio Salado education for putting her on a successful career path.
“Being able to take a class that prepared me to apply for jobs, as well as being able to do an internship, was a big boost to my confidence,” Ray said. “I felt much more sure of myself and in the decision to go into this field of work. In fact, I was hired at the firm I interned at.”
While Ray is focused on learning all she can in her new position, she hasn’t ruled out returning to college once more to further her education.
“For now, I want to continue gaining experience in my field,” Ray said. “I may go back to earn a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, but I plan to continue advocating for criminal justice reform.”
For those considering bachelor’s degree options, Rio Salado College now offers a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration online, at community college tuition pricing. The program prepares students for careers in a variety of public safety fields including law enforcement, fire and emergency services, homeland security and corrections and detention services.
“I would recommend Rio to anyone who needs flexibility, or who can focus on school without being in a traditional setting,” Ray said. “Online classes won't be for everyone, and that's OK. But for the people who can use this format, it can be very accommodating.”
RELATED LINKS
Meet the New Faculty Chair for AJS/Paralegal Programs
Resilience Unleashed: Tara Lopez's Inspiring Journey from Doubt to Degrees