Overcoming Cancer and Surviving a Pandemic, a New Mother Decides to Make a Career Change
Making a career change is never a decision taken lightly. For many adults, it involves confronting fears, navigating personal responsibilities, and believing in a brighter future. For Anna Belk, the decision to return to school through the University of Tennessee’s Vols Online program marked a turning point that shaped her career and identity as a mother and professional.
As a cancer survivor and St. Jude’s alumna, Anna developed her passion for a healthcare career early on. Her dedication to helping others was part of her decision to become a clinical dietitian – a job that tested her mental and physical endurance during the COVID pandemic. The demands and uncertainties of the crisis weighed heavily on her, leading her to reconsider her career path. She decided to step away from clinical work to serve as an extension agent.
In this new role, Anna began to see the potential to empower communities by sharing practical, research-based solutions to improve their well-being. However, she also recognized a gap: effective communication was needed to help her efforts, a skill she needed to enhance. So, she began exploring graduate degrees and discovered an online master’s program in Communication & Information: Strategic & Digital Communication.
The timing of this decision was life-changing. The day she registered for the program, she learned she was pregnant. This news began a transformative chapter in her life, during which she would juggle motherhood, full-time work, and rigorous academic study.
“I had my son in 2023 and still remember coming home from the hospital, breastfeeding while reading my textbook and catching up on assignments.”
– Anna Belk, 2024 graduate, MSCI, Strategic and Digital Communciation
The journey required a lot of work, and the following months were a delicate balancing act. She found a routine and schedule that worked and stuck with them. Anna’s advisors and instructors bolstered her resolve with kindness and understanding, tutoring her in digital content creation, web design, and strategic communication. Her experiences as a full-time employee and mother enriched her online interactions with classmates and instructors, where she found camaraderie and inspiration.
The skills Anna gained through her master’s program have profoundly impacted her work. As a Family and Consumer Sciences agent with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, she provides practical solutions for Tennessee residents, resulting in economic benefits for individuals, families, and communities. By mastering strategic and digital communication, she’s enhanced the outreach and effectiveness of her team’s initiatives. Her healthcare background and new expertise have made her a more effective and compassionate leader.
As she contemplates her next steps, Anna’s degree has opened many opportunities to advance her career. Driven by her passion and newfound knowledge, Anna’s story is a testament to her fortitude and an example of balancing dreams with reality, family with ambition, and love with learning. Anna’s journey offers valuable lessons for adult learners considering returning to school online. Flexibility, determination, and support are vital ingredients for success. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of family life, career changes, or personal growth, the right program can help you achieve your goals while enriching your life in ways you never thought possible.
For More Information
Would you like more information about the online Master of Science in Communication & Information? Take the first step by completing and submitting a Request Information form on the program page.
