{"id":41522,"date":"2024-09-20T10:16:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T16:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/online\/?p=41522"},"modified":"2024-10-23T14:51:56","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T20:51:56","slug":"former-baker-laura-shoemaker-comes-full-circle-by-earning-online-bachelors-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boisestate.edu\/online\/2024\/09\/20\/former-baker-laura-shoemaker-comes-full-circle-by-earning-online-bachelors-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"Former baker Laura Shoemaker comes full circle by earning online bachelor\u2019s degree"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After hanging up her apron following 14 years as a professional baker, Laura Shoemaker returned to Boise State University and launched a second career. \u201cI decided I was ready for a change,\u201d she said. \u201cI wanted different working hours. I was tired of waking up early and not being on the same schedule as my family. That was the main motivation. I had always wanted to finish a four-year degree.\u201d Shoemaker graduated with Boise State\u2019s online Bachelor of Applied Science<\/a> with a certificate in communications in May 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe program was applicable and manageable,\u201d she said. \u201cI was looking more at communications originally, which was also an online degree option. With the credits I already had, it was easier to do the applied science program and get a certificate. It was more about getting the bachelor\u2019s degree finished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born and raised in Boise, Shoemaker is now a communications director for a rural Idaho school district and resides in Nampa, Idaho, with her husband, Jason Sandidge. He graduated from Boise State with an online master\u2019s degree in educational technology in December 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith the support of Boise State\u2019s faculty and staff, I seamlessly combined credits from my previous college experience, culinary education and online courses to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree,\u201d she said. \u201cThe online program is great for people going back to school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was perfect for, and tailored to, what I needed. That was huge. This accomplishment has opened new opportunities, emphasizing the importance of completing my degree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recipe for succes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Laura
Photo provided by Laura Shoemaker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

After starting college straight out of high school, Shoemaker transferred to Boise State to earn an associate degree in culinary arts after two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy mom and grandma always enjoyed baking when I was growing up,\u201d she said. \u201cI have a cousin who makes beautiful wedding cakes; I always looked up to her. Baking was something I wanted to do. Working in education is different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several years before returning to Boise State University via the online format, she looked at enrolling in an on-campus degree program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite my desire to return and pursue a bachelor’s degree, I struggled to navigate the process without starting over,\u201d she said. \u201cAdvisors could not even support me. However, in recent years, Boise State introduced online degree pathways<\/a> that changed everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shoemaker enrolled in the online Bachelor of Applied Science in 2022. She especially enjoyed the courses in the curriculum based on emotional intelligence, like Creative Thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThose were good soft skill-type things for the workplace,\u201d she said. \u201cThe information I learned in the program is applicable for anybody in any career. The communication classes were also super helpful. Those classes introduced me to a lot of things I wasn\u2019t familiar with in the baking world. I wasn\u2019t using technology in that world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a student returning to school after a long absence, Shoemaker especially appreciated the support of Boise State\u2019s faculty members throughout her second journey as a Bronco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe professors in the online Bachelor of Applied Science program were simply fantastic,\u201d she said. \u201cThey meticulously structured the classes in a clear and comprehensible format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey were responsive and supportive every step of the way. I am immensely thankful to them for their role in helping me reach my goals. I definitely got good value out of the program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shoemaker also credits her husband with helping her work toward her goal of finishing what she started back at Boise State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe knew that completing my degree was something I had always wanted to do, and he encouraged me to pursue my education,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe also took the time to read through most of my papers and was an exceptional cheerleader throughout the journey. Returning to school was made possible with his unwavering support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Icing on the cake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that she has a bachelor\u2019s degree, Shoemaker plans to remain in the communications field, but she is excited to see the opportunities on the horizon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI always thought working remotely and writing would be fun,\u201d she said. \u201cIt would be great to live abroad and make money blogging. I\u2019ll probably stay in communications for a while and see what else is out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shoemaker believes that staying self-motivated is the key to success as an online student working toward a degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou have to pace yourself and make sure to keep up on assignments,\u201d she said. \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to get into it. Everybody at Boise State was very helpful, so it was definitely doable while working full-time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shoemaker, who enjoys traveling, hiking, running, reading or baking in her free time, is happy she found the online program to facilitate her goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a nontraditional student, I’ve achieved a significant milestone by earning my degree,\u201d she said. \u201cPrioritizing my education and acquiring new skills fills me with pride. Even before completing my degree, it paved the way for me to secure a professional role aligned with my studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis experience has made me more confident in both my computer proficiency and my ability to engage professionally with others. I am excited for even more opportunities ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about applied science at Boise State<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Want to learn more about the online Bachelor of Applied Science? Join us for an online information session or contact a student success coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact a Student Success Coach<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attend a Live, Virtual Information Session<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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