(JS): We’ll get into that in a moment. Currently you’re at Carter Bank and have been for a while, right?

(EB): Yes, I came to Carter seven years ago and it’s fantastic because I like knowing that if I have an idea, I have some influence in making sure it’s heard and considered. I didn’t always have that in my other jobs. That means a lot because I started as a teller and have worked in a lot of different roles in various banks. Some were so big that if I had an idea, there was no one to tell. That’s not an issue here.

(JS): You recently graduated from ECU, which is also where you started college.

(EB): Yes. I grew up in High Point and went to high school there; breezed through with mostly A’s; had a steady boyfriend. Then I went off to ECU while he joined the Marines. I was not ready for college and landed on academic probation right away, but we stayed connected. He is now my husband, and we have two wonderful children. Anyway, I left school, started working and got married. Eventually, I got hired as a teller at Lexington State Bank and that’s how I began my banking career.

(JS): You’ve done well in banking. What was the motivation to go back to school at this stage of life?

(EB): There were a few reasons. Earlier in my career I applied for a job that I didn’t get, even though I had the experience. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was because I didn’t have a degree. Plus, it was important to me personally to do it. The tipping point was one day when I was having lunch with a friend. I told her about a vendor who was trying to hustle me on a deal. Finally, I asked him, “what do we have to do to get this done by the end of the day?” That got it done and I was bragging to my friend. Suddenly, she looked me straight in the eye and said, “That’s great. Now, what do we have to do by the end of the day to get you back in school and graduated?”

(JS): Wow. She was supportive and honest. Friends like that are hard to find.  

(EB): Definitely. So, I enrolled at ECU and immediately found out I was on probation.

(JS): You didn’t have any credits from back in the day?

(EB): No. Twenty years had gone by, and I had to apply for forgiveness just so they would let me in. I logged on to my student profile and I was still in the system. I saw my ID picture from when I was 17. My GPA was 1.18. I thought, I’m 40 years old and on academic probation.

(JS): How did you do it, persevere?

(EB): It helped that my kids were older because there were days when I didn’t get home from the office until after 7pm. At the bank I’d wait until everybody left, then I’d log on and do my homework. On weekends my husband would tell the kids, “Mom’s going to be in the bedroom with the door shut and we’re not going to bother her until she comes out.” If the kids were younger, I don’t think I could have done it.

(JS): You must have great time management skills.

(EB): Prioritizing is critical. For example, when my son played travel baseball I took the textbook with me. I had to learn how to be more productive.

(JS): Did you ever feel like, I can’t do this?

(EB): No, never. Which is a huge difference from the first time. It’s amazing what a fully formed frontal cortex will do for you (laughing). It wasn’t a question of whether I was going to do it, it was just how long was it going to take.

(JS): What advice would you give someone with a full-time job who’s considering going back to school?

(EB): You can have a successful career without a four-year degree. Of course, you need to be realistic about your goals. I really wanted it even though I was working a ton of hours, managing a household, paying bills. I quickly realized juggling all that is way more challenging than what I had to do for class.

(JS): At one time your mom dropped out of high school then ended up earning her diploma, going to college and eventually getting a masters.  She must be proud of you.

(EB): Oh yes. Honestly, graduation was probably more about her than me. I don’t want to cry (gets emotional), but I am so glad she was there when I walked across the stage. That was important for both of us.