Cherie Ergle

Strayer University
B.A. in Accounting, 2005
M.A. in Accounting, 2008

I was 41 when I decided to return to school. It was during a time in my life when most everything seemed to be wrong. My marriage was failing. I was raising my grandson as well as supporting two other children. Family members had turned their backs on me. If anyone had a reason to feel unworthy, I did. Not because I was, but because those around me said I was. The people you love the most are the ones that can hurt you the most.

I knew I could not change those circumstances in my life, but what I could do is pursue something just for me—my education. I had an Associate's Degree in Accounting that I obtained in 1993. I learned quickly that an Associate's Degree would not get me where I wanted to be in my career and financially. Here was an opportunity for me to finally do something about that.

I went to the University of Phoenix for almost a year taking online courses before switching to Strayer University. When I first started back to school, I learned real quick that my life would have to be rearranged around my studies. I had to let the housework go more than I was used to. I could not go out with friends. I could not cook as much. I could not work out as much. I felt guilty about not spending as much time with my family. However, I did not neglect them just because I did not have as much time to spend with them. Circumstances made it hard to go back to school, but I wanted that degree and I was determined to get it.

I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Accounting taking online courses at Strayer University. It was not easy for many reasons. My family did not understand that just because I was taking classes online did not mean I did not need quiet time to attend classes and prepare class assignments. They would want to come into the room where I was studying often. It was hard to keep my concentration, but I persevered. Once I received my Bachelor's, I knew I did not want to stop there. So, I continued on to receive my Master's in Accounting. That took another 3 years, which put me in school a total of 6 years.

Online courses are difficult. One must be extremely self-motivated to log into those classes each week and to complete the assignments on time. There is no one to make you do them. And sometimes it was difficult to receive help in understanding a specific concept because there was no face-to-face contact, but most of the instructors made themselves available through phone calls and emails.

All of my Instructors played a significant part in my life. Some I liked more than others, but each one played a specific role in my educational achievements. It is harder to feel personal with a teacher when you do not see them face-to-face or speak with them on a personal level. However, each one played a part in my education and helped me climb one more step up towards the final goal. I thank each and every one of them for that. I have advanced in my career because I went back to school. I started out as an Accountant/Fiscal Analyst at the SC Department of Social Services in 1999. Today I am an Audit Supervisor for the Internal Audit Division.

I am so glad I made that choice to return to school. That accomplishment has restored confidence in me. Something good came out of a bad time in my life. I achieved this goal and no one can take that away from me. I am now studying to sit for the CPA exam, my final goal. I am almost there and I do not want to give up now.

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