Learner Stories: Jennifer Frick

Paralegal, Wal-Mart

Jennifer Frick lives and works in Bentonville, Arkansas as a paralegal in the legal department at Wal-Mart headquarters. In 2004, she became the first Wal-Mart employee to win one of the Capella University/Wal-Mart $2,500 scholarships. Today, she is close to completing her bachelor's degree with a specialization in human resource management.

"About 11 years ago, I left college with a semester to go, due to various family issues. I've been doing fine without it and I enjoy my job," said Ms. Frick. "However, finishing my degree has always been in the back of my mind. Now that I have a daughter and see how important education is for her, I've decided to finish my degree."

"I've utterly enjoyed it," she added. "There is no substitute for the value of education, and online education is great—the flexibility can't be beat. I've learned a lot and used a lot of what I've learned at work."

Jennifer admits that online learning requires good time management skills and was more rigorous than she expected. "But I like it more than traditional college," she said. "I feel freer to say what I think in writing and I'm not afraid to put it out there. In a traditional classroom there is fear—if a person really doesn't want to participate they can sit in the back row. But here, you are required to post in the discussion threads so I am reading the thoughts and opinions of people who might not otherwise have 'spoken'." Jennifer admits that in some cases, her online colleagues have changed her mind and broadened her point of view.

In the legal department, Jennifer deals with employment and benefits issues daily. "The courses have given me a better insight into the issues, especially compensation," said Jennifer. In the long run, Jennifer hopes to focus on compliance issues at Wal-Mart.