NECB Student Spotlight: Karen Massone Graduates with Two Business Degrees While Working Full-Time and Being a Single Mom

NECB: Why did you decide to attend NECB?

Karen: I always dreamed that one day I’d earn my business degree but being a single mom, working full-time, and volunteering with Pet Therapy, with my dog, at children’s hospitals and VA’s, I always found a way to justify not having the time. NECB was the perfect option for someone in my position looking for an online business college with flexible schedules, endless online resources as well as passionate staff and professors who truly go above and beyond to help you succeed.

NECB: What advice would you give to someone who is considering going to NECB?

Karen: If you are considering NECB, commit to doing a year. Give yourself the opportunity to try it out and discover how capable you really are. Over time, you’ll see how school becomes an integral part of your life. NECB’s professors and staff provide such a dedicated level of support that they make it possible for online college to work for anyone.

NECB: What advice would you give to students to be successful with online learning? Any challenges you had to overcome? Or any misconceptions you had going in that turned out to be untrue?

Karen: After 6 years of online business courses (first getting my associates degree in accounting at NECB) and 40 “first weeks”, I was still a little nervous – wondering how well I would do going for my bachelor’s degree or if I’d even pass. But pass, I did! I finally achieved getting my bachelors of science in business administration degree. No matter what the time of year, weekly coursework or projects, if you just put in an honest effort, you will succeed.

NECB: How do you juggle / manage being a student while working and trying to balance everything? Any tips you can share with future / current NECB Students?

Karen: To be honest, I was a divorced, single mom of a 4-year-old who was working full-time; I was terrified to go back to college. But, I knew if I did not do it then I never would. As my personal life started to become more “balanced,” my online business courses did also. At that point, I knew I made it. I made it through the tough times and came out the other side.

NECB: What was the #1 thing you’ll take away from your time at NECB?

Karen: How truly proud I am of myself and how proud I have made my son, my two older brothers, and my parents.

NECB: What does graduating with your degree mean to you?

Karen: Graduating is bittersweet for me. During my final year at NECB, my family and I were hit with devasting news about one of my brothers that turned all our worlds upside-down. I was struggling with whether I could even focus on any schoolwork. I even considered quitting but, my brothers quickly set me straight.

My parents, two brothers, and son are the reason I worked so hard and continue to motivate me to this day. I’ve always tried to make my family, especially my brother; Irish twin, best friend and my rock, proud of me. He’s always known exactly the right words to use at the right time to help guide me in the right direction. He’s always been the one I go to for everything, ever since we were kids. And once again, he had my back.

I am graduating with Highest Honors. My proudest moment was telling my brother, the Irish twin, and my family that I did finally got my business degree. My second proudest moment will be walking across the stage at commencement – looking out to the front row to see my family smiling back at me. I am so grateful for this time.