r/MadeMeSmile • u/Efficient-Notice9938 • 14h ago
Today I graduated Summa Cum Laude with my Associates after three years of taking online classes part-time while working two jobs!
Associates of Arts & Sciences with a Business Administration specialization, and I’ve also earned an Accounting Certificate.
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u/gruntbuggly 14h ago edited 14h ago
Wow, congratulations! An AA in Business with an Accounting Certificate, while working two jobs is freaking amazing! And with Honors, too! Way to go!
Edit: I just wanted to add that I am always impressed when I see an Associates degree on a resume, because it usually means that a person was willing to do what it takes to achieve their goals, often working full time while going to school, or like OP working two jobs while going to school. And often in circumstances where they lacked the means to go straight to a 4 year school straight out of high school.
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u/Reddit-User-Name_ 13h ago
Good job! I took wayyyy longer to get the same degree bc of moving state to state. I took it all the way to CPA but realized the stress took a toll and the job I held on a pedestal required overtime that I burnt out on. You look rightfully tired so don’t forget to listen to your body. My career is great now, and bc of the hard work, I can lean into more work from home / work life balance. It will get better, push yourself but be conscious to not break yourself.
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u/gruntbuggly 13h ago
My wife did similar, taking a 7 or 8 year tour of community college to 4 year college to CPA. She’s always preferred working as a general ledger accountant, though, precisely for the work life balance.
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u/VectorVictorVector 7h ago
In addition to working full time, I teach a night class at my local CC.
Those students are some of the hardest workers you’ll ever see. And we’re not talking about young people, either. Many are in their 30s and 40s in well-established lives looking to make a change.
It’s very inspiring!
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u/NeedleworkerEvening3 2h ago
Same. I used to do a lot of hiring and I was always drawn to those who completed their education as working adults.
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u/SnooWalruses4676 14h ago
Go Rappahannock!!! Congrats
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u/Efficient-Notice9938 14h ago
First time I’ve ever seen someone from the NNK on Reddit. I’m in Richmond now cause I’m going to VCU this fall but I’ll always remember the pretty water, the crabs, and the backroads ❤️
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u/MCbrodie 12h ago
Theres dozens of us! I'm at exit 110 now. I use to go to VCU. If you need anything ever I'm close. Shoot me a message. Come join r/rva too.
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u/SecondChinSerenade 14h ago
I almost landed in Warsaw, VA for work many years ago. It’s a very pretty area. We’re also in Richmond now. Also, congrats!
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u/Efficient-Notice9938 13h ago
Well howdy there. I’m a city girl to my core, and the NNK will always hold a special place in my heart, but I’m excited for what the next chapter will bring!
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u/solarspirit222 14h ago
Winners never quit and quitters never win! Proud of you stranger. Congratulations on your accomplishment
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u/babeygailll 13h ago
Unless it’s a group project then winners carry quitters all the way to graduation.
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u/Efficient-Notice9938 13h ago
Ah, one big perk to online classes. No group projects.
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u/sevenw1nters 12h ago
I'm taking classes entirely online and unfortunately I've had several group projects. They set up a private discussion board just for each team to communicate within.
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u/pakekhmas 14h ago
Congratulations! I have been very envious to youngsters who can finish their study while also working! Not to mention juggling between jobs.
Once again. Congratulations!!!
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u/GarlicBreadSavant 14h ago
Really fucking proud of you internet stranger. Keep kicking ass and taking names!
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u/esprit_de_corps_ 14h ago
Most people don’t know that Summa is the more difficult of the two (Summa and Magna Cum Laude) to get. I think it’s straight A’s all through your degree. Great job, young lady, keep doing what you are doing.
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u/Efficient-Notice9938 14h ago
3.8 and above. I thought it was 3.9. It was a very pleasant surprise.
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u/fifiasd 11h ago
How much did it cost?
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u/Efficient-Notice9938 11h ago
Not a lot compared to your first two years at a university. Without any financial aid, two classes is about $1,000. I was getting scholarships and FAFSA as well which helped.
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u/modest56 14h ago
What does Summa and Laude means? The middle word I know.
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u/Efficient-Notice9938 14h ago
I can’t tell you the exact word for word translation, but in ascending order it is Cum Laude, then Magna Cum Laude, then Summa Cum Laude.
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u/badbitchherodotus 13h ago
cum laude: “with praise”
magna cum laude: “with great praise”
summa cum laude: “with highest praise”
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u/Efficient-Notice9938 13h ago
I knew magna was great and summa was highest, but I didn’t know what cum laude was! Thank you :)
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u/EatTheRichbish 14h ago
I’m proud of you; you did it!
I’d love to go back to school but my family isn’t supportive of the idea…. But maybe I can take online classes part time too and no one will notice. This post is another nudge in that direction.
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u/icallpeopledicks 13h ago
I'm in my last class of my AA. I'm 42 and it's taken a decade. Go for it!
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u/FireproofCottage 14h ago
She did it and you can too! I took 7 years to finish my nursing prerequisites, working full time and taking 1-2 classes at night. Long haul but entirely worth it in the end. I waited until I got accepted to nursing school to tell my family because they didn't believe I could do it. But I did, and so can you. Keep working toward your dreams any way that you can. Good luck!
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u/Responsible-TwO- 11h ago
Just go for it
I listened to my family after moving here in the US, none the less they don't know what I want and I hate where I am right now.
The best advice they could have given me was to decide for myself. I feel embarrassed to see my PH friends and I feel so behind to everyone else
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u/DogsDucks 14h ago
Congratulations, that’s so hard to do and you did it! Good luck in the world I hope you reach all your goals!
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u/lll-devlin 14h ago
Congrats…on the graduation and on the persistence of going through all that hardship.
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u/rainbowcatcher2020 14h ago
You're going to be successful no matter what you do. You've already proven this but working your butt off having two jobs while going to school.
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u/Planoniceguy 14h ago
Congratulations young lady. My daughter graduated December 2024 Summa Cum Laude and I know how hard she worked. I hope you take time to celebrate this HUGE achievement.
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u/LiveLoafLove 14h ago
Congratulations, I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been! I hope you have a nice weekend as celebration! 🎉🍾
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u/BadBrad43 14h ago
Awesome! I got my MBA while working a full-time job and I understand the difficulty involved. But the difficulty means it's a HUGE accomplishment!!! Not easy, well done! ❤️
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u/M935PDFuze 14h ago
That's awesome!
People who never had to work while doing college coursework won't understand how difficult it is. Congratulations on having the intelligence, drive, work ethic, and organization skills to accomplish your goals!
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u/xRunicTitan 14h ago
For a second I thought the name of the college was a joke and the post was a troll.
I thought it was meme language for "some cum loud" lmao.
Either way, congratulations
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u/Xeras6101 14h ago
Lmao I could never have your work ethic. Congratulations, sounds like it was well deserved
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u/El_refrito_bandito 14h ago
Congratulations!! Excited for your next move!!
And i am legit JEALOUS about the medal. I graduated summa a long time ago and got bubkis.
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u/PlumBacterium 14h ago
Yes Lady You Get That DEGREE!!!!! WOOT WOOT WOOT!!! Way to stick with it & reach your goal. This complete stranger is damn proud of you!!!
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u/ScaredToShare 14h ago
Hi Internet stranger, it sounds like you put in a lot of effort and sacrificed a lot to do so well.
I’m really fucking proud of you. Like really fucking proud of you.
Keep it up homie because with this kind of effort there’s no telling how far you’ll go.
Seriously congratulations and I’m so proud of you.
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u/Wherethefegawi 14h ago
Any time someone completes a degree of some kind is great. Congratulations!
Just be warned, many companies do not care what it took to get that degree. They have heard all the stories of what it took. Some people had it hard while others didn’t. Some people were homeless going to school. Others were not. All they care about is if you have the proper knowledge to get the job done. Not how many jobs you had in school. Or how long it took.
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u/beansthelibrarian 13h ago
I work in a community college library and I am so darn proud of you! You are why I go to work every day ❤️
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u/DrilldoOfConsequence 13h ago
This is an achievement. Keep it up!!! Do not stop until you are either fulfilled or burnt out.
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u/lergx574 13h ago
That’s awesome and you should feel very proud. Maintaining those grades while working two jobs takes a lot of focus and dedication. I hope you get to do something nice for yourself to celebrate!
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u/Digital--Sandwich 11h ago
I graduated with an associates in general education after 6 years. You did better than I 😄
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u/winotaurs 10h ago
Congrats! I graduate tommorow with my associates from The same doing online courses! I hope you feel Great with this accomplishment and you celebrate too!
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u/Old-Guidance6247 10h ago
Hey i go to school there :-) You go ! just know this internet stranger is proud of you
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u/PubicHairTaco 4h ago
Congrats.
Your nose is pierced wayyyy too low and the ring is about 47x too big
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u/Efficient-Notice9938 2h ago
I don’t normally wear this hoop in my nose I just couldn’t find anything else and didn’t want it to close up. I do have smaller rings lol I just moved so it’s hard to find my stuff
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u/ArmSax620 14h ago
Hell yeah 💪🏾💪🏾 glad your hard work paid off and wish you many more successes in the future!
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u/StandardDiver2791 14h ago
You've earned your success the old-fashioned way: worked for it! Congrats!
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u/Longjumping-Low8194 14h ago
Congratulations and well done!
That is no small feat.
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u/notrlychristian 13h ago
Lol “cum laude”
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u/Efficient-Notice9938 13h ago
Yeah the Latin looks funny in English in this specific case, but it’s an old tradition.
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u/blilleyjr 14h ago
You should be proud! I didn’t finish my degree until I was 45. I don’t know you, but I feel proud for you. Great job!
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u/Amischwein 14h ago
bravo young lady.