As San Jacinto College refines its online certificate and degree programs, many students are already taking advantage of the current selection. One of these students, Beaumont resident Rebecca Parker, is returning to college to reskill with a second degree in entrepreneurship/business after a successful career in the nonprofit world.

Parker’s daughter Haley bought Guber of Southeast Texas, a regional food delivery service, in July 2019 and turned to her mom for help running the business. 

Photos courtesy of Rebecca Parker

“Although I had computer knowledge, there was so much I did not know about running my own business,” Parker said.  “My husband suggested I go back to school. San Jac had all the classes I needed for a certificate and a degree available online. It was perfect for me.”

She began looking at different colleges and courses and programs that would align with the business knowledge she needed. When she discovered San Jac’s entrepreneurship program, she knew she’d found the right fit. 

“The entrepreneurship certificate had a wide range of classes that covered all the basics of owning your own business,” she said. “So far, I have benefited from every class and incorporated skills directly back into the business.”

The entrepreneurship program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in business management/entrepreneurship and two certificate tracks — a certificate in technology in business management/entrepreneurship and Level 2 certificate in business management/entrepreneurship. The certificate options, each fewer than 45 credit hours, can provide a fast track into entrepreneurship or apply towards the associate degree. The associate degree plan is a two-year program ideal for those looking to run their own business or transfer to a university.

For Parker, becoming a business owner and a student was something she did on faith after having worked in the nonprofit world since 1992. Her nonprofit career focused on fundraising and took her to the Sam Houston Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Young Audiences of Houston, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, and Shriners Hospital.   

“At first, stepping out to working for ourselves was intimidating,” she said. “Owning a business consumes your life, and there are zero days off. I have to be dedicated to both school and work and manage my time well. Thankfully, I love what I do.”

Besides wanting her business to succeed, Parker cites her family as an equally important motivation to prove that she can do whatever she sets her mind on.

“I have always told my kids and grandchildren about the importance of education. They have heard the words come out of my mouth a million times,” Parker said.  “Now they are seeing me back in school. My grandkids find it hilarious that their ‘Nina’ has homework just like them. If I am not here by the time they reach college, I want them to remember that they can do it — just like I did.”

Despite nearing an age where most people consider retirement, Parker seems to be gaining momentum in her new career with no plans on slowing down anytime soon. 

“I’m a little bit of a workaholic,” Parker said. “How can I not be? I am blessed to wake up every day and do something I love with one of my kids. It’s a great feeling. I keep threatening to retire in nine years, but no one believes me.”

To learn more about the business management entrepreneurship program at San Jac, visit sanjac.edu/program/entrepreneur.

By Melissa Trevizo