Student Spotlight: Leadership, Training, & Organizational Development Student Answers

Chrysty Fortner, PMP, BCxP, and BSOLL – LTOD graduate is a UofL Online grad who completed a BS in Organizational Leadership & Learning, with a focus in Leadership, Training, & Organizational Development. She is currently employed at ECHO Power Engineering as a Director of Programs and Special Projects. Today, we’ll be reviewing her answers to some of our student spotlight questions to better understand her program and how it will prepare her for future career success! As Chrysty notes, “At 55 I started this program because I wanted to set my sights on career advancement between 55 and retirement, this program is how I chose to address it. The experience has been one of the most empowering journeys in all of my working years. I am literally ready for anything life has to offer!” 

Let’s dive into her responses to our questions!   

Q: Why did you select the OLL program?  

CF: I researched relentlessly. It’s how I am made. I was searching for two specific outcomes: finding a program that would evaluate credit hours for past work experiences and ensuring the program could utilize my old (old) school credits to shorten the bridge to graduation.  

Q: What are you enjoying most about the program?  

CF: The courses are highly relevant to today’s professional challenges. Addressing the social dynamics as well as the advances in processes and technology have made what I’m learning at this stage of my career invaluable. I am becoming a more confident critical thinker, while incorporating new and old ideas into my work. 

Q: Do you feel the program is providing the skills you need to be successful in your career?

CF: Most definitely, and certainly skills I could have been using the past thirty years to navigate tough people, tough situations, and tough work environments. I can say this with certainty, it’s never too late to validate the tools you already have and learn new skills altogether. 

Q: Would you recommend the program? Why?  

CF: I highly recommend the program. After reviewing my past college credits with my advisor, it was discovered that I could earn thirty-six credit hours from past experience and needed only twelve program-specific courses to graduate. The BSOLL program was designed to help learners like me attain those credit hours and is flexible enough to allow for a course load to fit my objectives and schedule. Additionally, the obvious mission for both faculty and advisors is to, “…help them cross the finish line!” 

Q: What is your new employer’s name and what is your new title?  

CF: Director of Programs and Special Projects at ECHO Power Engineering. 

Q: Any additional comments you would like to share?  

CF: At 55 I started this program because I wanted to set my sights on career advancement between 55 and retirement, this program is how I chose to address it. The experience has been one of the most empowering journeys in all of my working years. I am literally ready for anything life has to offer! 

Curious about the Leadership, Training, & Organizational Leadership track? Click here and learn more!