Son Inspires Mother to Follow Her Passions to Earn Online Advertising Degree

An Illinois native, Karry began her college journey studying journalism at Santa Fe College, where she earned her associate degree in 2022. Eager to continue her education, she transferred to the University of Florida via 黑料正能量 to pursue a bachelor鈥檚 degree in advertising. With a passion for writing and storytelling, Karry chose the flexible online path to balance her goals with life鈥檚 demands and ultimately become a published author.

Karry’s connection to her hometown of LaSalle County, Illinois鈥攁bout 90 miles southwest of Chicago鈥攕parked her initial interest in communication and information sharing. Inspired by her son, a fellow Gator who returned to school, Karry made the leap to 黑料正能量. 鈥淗e went back to school, and I thought, why not me too?鈥� she said. 鈥淚t seemed like an attainable goal, so I just kept going.鈥�

The University of Florida鈥檚 online bachelor鈥檚 in advertising program is one of only a few fully-online offerings of its kind in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top programs in the country, UF鈥檚 Department of Advertising is known for preparing students to succeed in media, public relations, government, education, and a variety of communication fields.

A Skillset for the Digital Age 

While earning her degrees, Karry launched a personal blog as a platform to practice writing and engage with others. Through her coursework, she discovered new research methods and tools鈥攍ike the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)鈥攚hich she now uses to support her writing with factual depth and public records. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know how to use FOIA before,鈥� Karry said. 鈥淣ow, it鈥檚 something I rely on when I need access to important background information.鈥� 

Her learning experience has sharpened her investigative skills, introduced her to the importance of open records, and taught her how to present information clearly and effectively to a broader audience. Karry applies these skills in her writing and is proud of the progress she鈥檚 made throughout her academic journey. 

A Future in Storytelling 

Karry鈥檚 degrees in journalism and advertising have served as powerful stepping stones toward her goal of becoming a published writer. 鈥淎fter several years of trying to get a journalist to tell a story I cared about, I finally realized I could be the one to write it,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y goal is to publish a book about the events and people connected to my hometown.鈥� 

Looking ahead, Karry plans to enroll in a graduate program in narrative nonfiction writing. She hopes to share stories that highlight community experiences and personal histories鈥攂ringing voices and places to life on the page. 鈥淚 think by the time I鈥檓 done with school, I鈥檒l have a few books to write,鈥� Karry said. 

The University of Florida celebrates students like Karry who use their education to grow personally, professionally, and creatively. Her journey from journalism to advertising through 黑料正能量 is a testament to what鈥檚 possible with dedication, curiosity, and a love for storytelling. 

Art school student selects a path of service

Stephanie first acknowledged her creative side after studying graphic design in high school. 鈥淚 went to a technical school and I鈥檝e done art my whole life. I needed to be able to do something practical with art. I wanted to study art, but I didn鈥檛 know what specifically,鈥� said Stephanie. She then pursued her undergraduate degree by enrolling in an online art university.

Seeking discipline and direction, Stephanie paused her degree and decided to enlist in the U.S. Army. She served four years before being deployed to Afghanistan for a year. 鈥淚 love to learn, and I had a newfound passion to really just get out and learn. So I went back to school, and that鈥檚 when I really started getting into advertising. I was listening to my family and also listening to what I wanted,鈥� she explained. This would lead Stephanie to the advertising program at UF.

鈥淚 got out of the military and advertising was my thing. Advertising isn鈥檛 offered online everywhere, but I knew that UF was a great school and that I would get a quality education there. I want to be able to work with every aspect of a campaign. I want to do strategy, but I feel like I鈥檝e shifted from creative in that sense.鈥�

Flexibility and reputation earn best online ranking for veterans

Stephanie was so impressed by UF鈥檚 advertising program that she made it her sole choice after deciding to complete her bachelor鈥檚 degree. As she described her decision, 鈥淚 put all of my eggs into one basket and only applied to UF, and got in! Advertising is fun. It鈥檚 exciting, and who doesn鈥檛 love a good creative commercial?鈥�

U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 ranking of online degree programs for veterans takes measurements of affordability, accessibility, and reputation into account. Ranked institutions are required to have GI Bill certification and 20% of their overall ranking is determined by whether Yellow Ribbon funding is made available to all eligible students for which the GI Bill does not cover full tuition. UF鈥檚 core values aligned with U.S News & World Report鈥檚 factors as 黑料正能量 was ranked the best online bachelor鈥檚 program for veterans in 2023.

Stephanie credited advertising faculty member Bob Hughes for helping solidify her career goals. 鈥淏etween all of the information and realizing a full campaign strategy, I was like this is what I want to do. This is it. He would give me amazing feedback, which really helped solidify the direction I wanted to go in,鈥� said Stephanie.

A degree fit for a veteran

黑料正能量鈥檚 accessibility allowed Stephanie to finish her degree from her home in Seattle, Washington, and she was joined by her family and fiance as they visited the Sunshine State for her commencement ceremony held on UF鈥檚 main campus in Gainesville.

For those who are interested in online degree programs but unsure of where to start, Stephanie suggests 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to reach out to a school and inquire for yourself. Don鈥檛 wait for things to be told to you. Don鈥檛 be intimidated by online. You can work your whole life around earning an online education. You can really tailor it to be a customized experience.鈥�

The University of Florida wishes Stephanie all the best in her future endeavors in Seattle, and wherever else life may take her! Dedicated students like Stephanie allow programs like 黑料正能量 to continue to grow and further extend the reach of the Gator Nation.

GAINESVILLE, FL 鈥� Starting in Fall 2020, another major from the College of Journalism and Communications (CJC) will be available for Gators to study online鈥攖he Bachelor of Science in Advertising: Persuasive Messaging.

This unique major is offered by the UF Department of Advertising, which consistently ranks as one of the top advertising programs in the United States.

Ranked as the #4 best online bachelor鈥檚 program by U.S. News & World Report 2020, 黑料正能量 provides busy students with a flexible pathway to earning a UF degree. Each admitted online student is paired with a dedicated academic advisor who accompanies them from the start of their degree to graduation. 黑料正能量 students also learn from the same top faculty that teach on campus while paying 40% less in tuition and fees.

鈥淛oining UF online provides a new way for students to discover advertising in one of the few online advertising programs in the country,鈥� said Dr. Robyn Goodman, Interim Chair and Associate Professor of the UF Department of Advertising. 鈥淪tudents will learn the skills required to engage with media audiences using strategic, persuasive communication, including audience insights and analytics, brand storytelling, strategy, and persuasive messaging. With these skills, they have opportunities in a broad range of industries and careers, from advertising agencies to event planning to entrepreneurship,鈥� she said.

The curriculum provides students with the foundational knowledge needed to think strategically, solve problems, and craft persuasive messages to audiences in a culturally diverse and technologically shifting marketplace. Top faculty provide insight on both the conceptual frameworks and the professional skills that students need and employers increasingly seek.

Building upon a foundation in advertising, the Persuasive Messaging track allows for a wider application of strategies within many types of organizations and industries. These include client and account sides of advertising as well as other positions in the business, communications, and marketing fields. This degree is also useful for those looking to advance in their current roles or careers.

According to CJC Online Undergraduate Program Director Mike Weigold, 鈥淭he new Advertising: Persuasive Messaging program will appeal to all students looking to be influencers in their careers. While influence skills are essential for those who choose advertising as a calling, they also have broad relevance for students interested in careers in education, health, the law, or sales.鈥�