Emily Drennan was enrolled at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with plans to become a dental hygienist. But two years in, she wasn’t confident she would enjoy her chosen career.
She met with Senior Instructor Lisa LeBlanc, Health Promotion and Wellness coordinator, to discuss possible alternatives.
“She said Health Promotion and Wellness is a very broad program, offering a wide variety of jobs, and it’s all online now,” Drennan says. “I had always been interested in pharmaceutical sales, and that’s one of the degrees they look for.”
Although she says she was initially nervous the online program would feel like “homeschooling,” Drennan quickly discovered the pros of online coursework.
“Once I started, it was nice to be able to do the majority of my assignments at once and if I wanted to get ahead, I could get ahead,” she says.
Her first semester, she says, required some calibration.
“At first I was ahead of the game, but that lasted for about a quarter of the semester,” she says. “I learned quick to do it early rather than wait until the last minute, and it’s easy to wait until the last minute when it’s online.
“You have to have self-discipline and time-management. It makes you grow up quick.”
She says she learned to be accountable for her time as well as her grades.
“You have to make sure you have everything planned out, and go out of your way to make sure teachers know who you are.”
Each email, she says, is an opportunity to build relationships with instructors.
“At first, I was scared to ask questions because they don’t know you, and you don’t know if the question is silly or not,” she says. “But they’re so helpful. They genuinely just want you to succeed.”
During her final semesters, Drennan says she was able to shadow a pharmaceutical salesman, attend a conference to network, and attend presentations to get a feel for the industry.
“I love every aspect,” she says.
Armed with her degree, Drennan is ready for her next challenge — job interviews.
Prepare for a career in corporate wellness, community health promotion, and more through the online Health Promotion and Wellness program. Request information to take the first step toward earning your bachelor's degree online.