Peirce College Information Technology Student Emily Santiago knows how important a college with a flexible schedule is to working moms.

She has two sons and a full-time job at a physician’s office, but the flexibility and support Peirce offers made it possible for her to pursue a career in IT.

Santiago began her educational journey in 2011 by completing a medical assistant program. While working in the medical field, she had developed an interest in computers and technology.

Emily’s co-workers frequently suggested that she should pursue a career in IT due to her natural abilities in finding solutions for the office’s computer, internet, and printer issues. With the encouragement of family and friends, she decided to take a leap of faith and start a new journey.

Emily began to look for colleges that provided a flexible schedule with a robust curriculum and remembered that a former co-worker spoke highly of Peirce College.

In January 2022, she enrolled in the Career Bridge IT Support certificate program and completed the program in August 2022 at Peirce. Thanks to Career Bridge’s focus on utilizing prior learning and experience, Emily was able to transfer credits from her previous medical assistant program.

“Peirce made the transfer credit process very easy,” she said. “I honestly didn’t think any credits would transfer but a good amount was able to transfer and I am so grateful.”

While going back to school during the pandemic and being an online student was an adjustment, Emily has been able to overcome these challenges with the help of her professors.

“The professors are nice and are available with any questions if you need guidance with anything,” she observed.

Emily said her sons have been her biggest motivation to continue her education. She looks forward to graduation and hearing her sons say, “Mommy I am proud of you!”

Emily’s goal is to show her children that no matter your age, you can always chase your dreams and do what makes you happy.

She manages all her responsibilities by carefully planning out time to complete her coursework.

“I try to make as much time as possible to contribute toward doing my schoolwork,” said Emily. “The majority of the time, I am doing schoolwork on the weekends because the weekdays are so consumed with my everyday life, but I do try to do at least one assessment every day.”

Emily describes her experience at Peirce as positive and welcoming. “Everyone at Peirce has been extremely nice, supportive, and welcoming during my whole process. From the advisors down to the professors everyone has been great!”

Once she completes her certificate, she plans to continue her education and enroll in the Associate in Science in Information Technology program, where she can apply all of the credits she has earned in her Certificate program.

And for all her fellow Peirce students and the working adults considering going back to school, Emily has some advice, “If you have the mindset and drive to do the work, then go for it. You will need to make time for school and that might take away time from other things but as long as you have support, you can make it happen.”

Read more stories of students’ accomplishments at Peirce College.

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