Jessica McDonald began pursuing her bachelor’s degree after high school graduation in 2006, intending to one day teach middle school math. During her senior year, however, she “lost interest,” and she and her husband relocated to Augusta, Georgia, when the Army stationed him at Fort Gordon.
Jessica got a job with their church, and because she had a knack for numbers, she moved quickly from receptionist to the church’s financial department. “I saw a lot of financial needs coming in and the lack of financial literacy for so many. Everybody’s financial story is different, but I saw the need for greater financial education. I wasn’t sure yet what that meant; I just knew I was interested,” Jessica said.
In 2016, Jessica and her husband welcomed their son, Levi. About this time, her husband had moved into a reserve status with the Army and began seeking a civilian job. They relocated back home to Birmingham and both began working in an accounting firm. While Jessica was working in a clerical/administrative role in the wealth management division of the firm, she found her passion. “It inspired me to finish my undergrad and get my master’s in Financial Planning. I Googled everything, and the best option for me was UA Online.”
Jessica started her master’s in Family Financial Planning and Counseling with three classes in Fall 2019 and she expects to graduate in December 2020. She says three courses at a time was a heavy load for a full-time working mom, but she managed to juggle it all. She feels like she’s found a better balance now with two courses per semester. “It gives me a bit of free time, but I still feel like I can accomplish finishing the program in a timely manner.”
Jessica praised the program’s faculty for how engaged they are with their students. “I feel like there is a genuine desire to see students succeed. With other online programs I’ve seen from friends, you’re just another number. But that’s not how it has been with UA Online.” She mentioned specifically Assistant Professor Eve Pentecost, also the program’s coordinator. “Every session with Eve, she asks me about Levi. She really pays attention to me and is interested in what’s going on in my life.”
Jessica is currently an investment operations manager at Tabula Rasa, a small firm in the Birmingham area. “Once I finish my master’s and take the CFP exam, I’ll be able to make recommendations and do more for our clients on my own,” she explained. However, after just one semester, the coursework has already provided her with insight she can apply to her work. “The Excel class has hands-on tools that help me show a client how to budget. And the other courses have solidified my base knowledge so I can help our clients better. You need that underlying knowledge to be able to work in financial planning,” she said.
Tabula rasa is Latin for “fresh start.” It seems Jessica has paved her own fresh start through online education. She started her college path thinking she wanted to teach math, but now she’s on her way to a different kind of teaching – helping people to financial literacy and wealth management. Her dream is to one day open her own firm. “With the affordability, the sense of community and the flexibility with my time, UA Online has been exactly what I need to succeed.”
Published: August 31st, 2020