At Sophia Learning, we believe that personal and professional advancement should be affordable and accessible to every student at every stage of their journey – whether they’re a high school graduate or a mature adult returning to school after a long break.
These values are reflected in our ambassador program, which includes a diverse group of learners with different educational backgrounds and career goals.
Today, we’d like to highlight some of the recent graduates who are members of the Sophia Learning Ambassador Program. Learn more about their experiences and let it inspire your own journey.
Introducing Our Star Graduates
Eric Fishon – University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI)
For Eric Fishon, graduation is more than a milestone – it’s the culmination of an educational journey that began over 20 years ago.
At 48 years old, Eric thought his education was “just another dream” that wouldn’t come to fruition – until he found Sophia Learning. He began taking courses for certificates, but before long, Sophia became a vital stepping stone to his educational future.
Now, Eric is graduating cum laude from University of Maine at Presque Isle with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Management and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Over 40 college credits and about 50% of the coursework for the bachelor’s degree came from Sophia, leading Eric to become a valued ambassador.
Eric is currently enrolled in an MBA program at Hellenic American College and has been accepted to a doctoral program at the University of Virginia.
He also created his own mission statement for his educational experience:
"Sophia isn’t just an educational platform or a place to get some college credit. It’s what you make it and want it to be. For me, Sophia is my partner in strategically achieving the dreams of education I have laid out for myself while saving time and money. Isn’t it time you SOPHIA’d today? #collegegrad23 #tkstosophia"
Favorite Course: Writing courses
Eric’s Best Tips for Success:
- Take the courses that you’ll enjoy and embrace the learning experience.
- Always check that courses will transfer toward your degree.
- Ask questions and use the resources available to you, including tutoring and writing review organizations.
- Remember it’s a journey – nothing happens just by wishing.
- Never let go of a dream! And once you get there, help someone else get to where you are today.
Carleigh Young – Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
After taking Sophia courses from April 2022 through February 2023 and completing 17 courses, Carleigh is about ready to graduate with a degree in data analytics from Southern New Hampshire University.
Taking courses at Sophia helped Carleigh fast-track her undergraduate degree and complete it in just one year, giving her just enough time to join the Master of Science in Educational Psychology Learning Analytics program in June of this year. Without Sophia, she may have had to wait until 2024, setting her education and career path back a year.
For Carleigh, Sophia’s self-paced courses, user-friendly format, and concepts helped her understand leadership, learn and process knowledge and prepare for real-world scenarios. She has big plans ahead, including a new job as an admissions tech specialist at Fairmont State University. After her master’s is complete, she plans to pursue a PhD in Higher Education.
Favorite Course: Project Management
Carleigh’s Best Tips for Success:
- Use the syllabus to schedule out the concepts in the course.
- Create a roadmap to stay at the pace you need to complete the course – then stick to it!
- Leverage the resources available to you, including student advisors, tutoring services and office hours with professors.
Sophia’s Tips for Graduating Seniors!
Ready to finish school and get started with your career? Here are some tips for success from our team:
Get Your Application Materials Ready
If you want to hit the ground running, put together your job application documents. This may include your resume or CV, cover letter and recommendations. You should also update your LinkedIn profile to make a great first impression.
Certain fields may require a portfolio or work samples. Whether you have spec work, assets from a part-time job or internship or samples from your courses, organize them into a sleek, streamlined portfolio that’s ready for future employers.
Take Advantage of On-Campus Job Recruiting
Many schools offer career fairs, networking events and other career experiences to help you prepare for life after graduation. See what events are available at your school, print some resumes and prepare to put your best self in the spotlight.
Tap Into Your Mentors and Advisors
Your professors, academic advisors and other professionals are excellent resources to help you prepare for your career and post-grad life. As you get closer to graduation, your professors and advisor will likely be within your degree field, so they can offer valuable networking opportunities and job seeking or career advice to help you succeed.
You won’t always have these resources at your disposal, so take advantage of them before the year ends.
About Sophia Learning
Sophia is an online learning platform that allows students to start or continue their education with affordable and flexible college-level general education courses, with plans starting at just $99 a month!
Inspired to start your unique educational success story? Start your free trial today!
