Flexibility was the missing piece to Lynell’s education — learn how her online degree program was a perfect fit

I am a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, as a young adult, I left college to serve a full-time mission. After I returned home, I met my husband right away and we were soon married and starting a family. I attended community college again for a while, but the time constraints and cost were too much of a strain on our family and I had to stop again without completing a degree.

Many years later, when our oldest daughter was about to graduate from college, I felt prompted that it was time for me to complete my degree. I wasn’t sure how I would be able to return to school, since I was busy serving as Young Women’s President and still had young children at home. My husband suggested I look into
For all three semesters of PathwayConnect, I drove an hour to the nearest gathering location at the time. I had a wonderful experience and, as I succeeded academically, I felt encouraged to continue. I excelled in the online learning environment, where I was able to study and do coursework when it was least disruptive to my family schedule.
Since I still have three young children at home, I was especially interested in a field where there is potential to work remotely. I earned a certificate in Web Media* and received my bachelor’s degree in December 2020. Through my degree program and internship, I learned many valuable skills in
For the first time ever, I feel confident about entering the workforce because I had marketable skills.

I’ve also served as a service missionary for BYU-Pathway since October 2019. Now, my husband and I serve as missionaries together in Washington, USA. Everyone who knows us knows about BYU-Pathway Worldwide, because we’re always talking about it. One night, I visited a new sister in our ward and, although it hadn’t been my original intention, I had a great discussion with both her and her adult son about BYU-Pathway!
We have made many beloved friends in the virtual gathering group we work with, and we really enjoy that aspect of the calling. However, I would say that the greatest joy comes from teaching people about BYU-Pathway and seeing them start their journey to a degree. We feel really blessed to have been part of many people’s decision to continue their education. Our motivation is a desire to share the organization that has blessed our lives in many ways.
*The current equivalent for the Web Media certificate is the