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Bridgeport Woman Closes In On Obtaining Bachelor's Degree

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Bridgeport’s Kayla Pettway already has an associate degree. She knew that to get ahead, however, she would need her bachelor’s degree.

Kayla Pettway of Bridgeport is just a few months away from getting her Bachelor's degree from the University of Bridgeport.

Kayla Pettway of Bridgeport is just a few months away from getting her Bachelor's degree from the University of Bridgeport.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Now, 14 years after she finished high school, Pettway is less than a year away from earning a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Bridgeport’s IDEAL Program. She expects to graduate in May 2015.

“I didn’t imagine it would take this long,’’ said Pettway, who graduated from Bullard Havens Vocational Technical High School in Bridgeport. “I think everything happens for a reason. If I could have done it differently, I would have." Kayla is humble and content knowing she will earn a bachelor’s degree at the age of 32 though. “Obtaining a bachelor’s degree is a great accomplishment that will pave the way towards the earning of a master’s degree,” she said.

Pettway earned an associate degree in graphic arts and worked for 8 years at United Healthcare. She enrolled in the IDEAL Program in September of 2013.

“I wanted to get a degree in business to expand my skills and obtain management skills to excel in a leadership role in the workplace.’’ Pettway said. “A business degree is a very diverse degree that can be utilized in various administrative backgrounds. I’m confident it will all pay off in the end.”

Pettway has a 10 year old son and in her free time enjoys shopping, singing, playing drums and listening to music. “Education has always been something very dear to my heart, even as a child getting good grades and excelling in school was important to me," she said. As an adult, Kayla still sticks by those same traits and does everything with excellence. While enrolled in the IDEAL Program, Kayla has made the President’s List.

Pettway spent nine years away from the classroom, but was not hesitant about returning. “After talking to my advisor at UB, she had so many words of encouragement,’’ she said. “She pushes you to the limit and makes sure that you’re successful.” Encouragement from family and friends motivated Kayla to take the initiative to go back to school, too.

The convenience of online and classroom learning added to the attractiveness of the program, Pettway said. “And it's accelerated, which I really like because it keeps my motivation going," she said. “I don’t have time to slack. It is a high-quality and affordable education. Because I live in Bridgeport, it isn’t much of a commute.”

She also finds the teachers and staff at Bridgeport welcoming, which made for a smooth transition, and she enjoys the classroom diversity with students from all age ranges and backgrounds. “You meet people from all walks of life,’’ she said. “I learn something from everybody.”

Pettway struggles at times with the family-work-education balance. She has managed to make it work though, and she likes the fact that her 10-year-old son sees her working hard to earn her degree. “I want him to excel more than I did,’’ Pettway said. “It’s kind of a lesson to push yourself, work hard and go to college and get that degree. So far he’s doing well.”

Pettway went on, “I will continue to expand my horizons by getting my master’s degree and I vow to always have a positive impact in the lives of others."

This article is part of a paid Content Partnership with the advertiser, University of Bridgeport. Daily Voice has no involvement in the writing of the article and the statements and opinions contained in it are solely those of the advertiser.

To learn more about Content Partnerships, click here.

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