Balancing business ownership, motherhood, and a demanding schedule takes a serious internal drive, and Rachel Cressionnie brought this and more to her journey through LSU Online. As a New Orleans-based salon owner, Rachel enrolled in the online Digital Marketing Certificate course to gain the skills she needed to grow her business and stay competitive in a tech-driven world. With her sights on mastering online marketing and exploring artificial intelligence, Rachel set out to prove to her daughters and herself that it’s never too late to learn something new.
Read on to learn more about Rachel’s experience with LSU’s flexible online offerings.
Meet Rachel Cressionnie
Why did you choose to pursue an online degree, certificate, or course through LSU Online?
I am a salon owner who wanted to learn more about the online marketing industry, and I wanted to increase my awareness of AI.
Before you began, did you have any reservations or concerns about starting an online degree/certificate/course? If so, how did you overcome them?
I was worried that I would not have the time with my busy schedule to make this work.
With the way the modules worked, I was able to stack up modules in days when I had extra time, and still be able to pace myself to get assignments turned in weekly.
Think back to when you were first admitted to the program. How did you feel in that moment?
I was excited, nervous, and a little apprehensive.
How did you balance work, life, and other responsibilities with your schoolwork?
I won't lie, this was extremely difficult. I own my own business and I work more than 40 hours a week. I am a single mom with two kids, but I told my kids ahead of time that this was something that I wanted to do and asked for their support and patience with me! We all sat down together and ate dinner and did homework—they definitely helped me with some of the technical aspects of using my computer!
What was your favorite aspect of the program?
I loved that it was on a Canvas-type of program because our family was familiar with that platform.
What advice would you give current online students?
Don't give up! Pace yourself, and set a goal at the beginning of the course to keep yourself motivated!
When you were an online student, how did you feel connected to the university?
I wouldn't say that I felt connected to the university during my enrollment, but I did feel a sense of community online with the Slack app.
What motivated you to pursue your degree, course, or certificate program?
To show my daughters that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it, and I use a lot of digital technology already so I wanted to expand my knowledge.
What was your biggest motivator during your online coursework?
I really wanted the certificate of completion! It seems silly, but as someone who went to trade school I sometimes get disrespected for not "having a traditional degree." I felt a great sense of pride by being associated with a university and completing this course!
How were you supported by your Student Success Coach throughout your journey?
Maria Spear was fantastic! She facilitated a lot of online help, and responded more than timely and professionally to me! I can't speak enough to her support!
Is there anyone you would like to give a shout-out to for their help while you pursued your educational goals?
Shoutout to my kids for always being a motivator in my life and to my boyfriend, Ryan, for believing in me!
How has completing your degree/certificate/course helped or changed your career or career prospects?
I really love the idea of diversifying my portfolio and having an additional outlet to create an income!
Balance Living and Learning with LSU Online & Continuing Education
Rachel’s story shows the benefits of learning as a lifelong pursuit, and how personal and professional growth can happen at any stage of life. LSU Online offers a wide range of flexible, high-quality programs to help learners like Rachel achieve their goals while balancing real-world responsibilities.
Ready to start your journey? Explore all online professional development courses to find the program that’s right for you.