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When Cules Rose '25G finished his degree after studying online, he traveled all the way from Fort Worth, Texas, for his graduation in Manchester, New Hampshire. Rose knew he couldn't miss what he called a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"I just had a blast being here," he said after walking the stage at his Õ¬ÄÐƵµÀ (SNHU) Commencement ceremony.

Rose said that he almost gave up on school before he came to SNHU, but his family helped motivate him to continue. "My dad and my mom always preached: You can do anything you want as long as you have a degree," he said. "And now I've got one."

That isn't the only way his parents have inspired him. "Both of my parents are accountants," he said. "I wanted to follow their footsteps, but I wanted to do it a little different."

He ultimately decided to study the broader field of finance, earning his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Finance from SNHU. "I attended a community college in Texas before I came here, and I was doing a little bit more research," Rose said. "And SNHU hits every category and everything I was looking for."

Service and School

While an active-duty service member in Alaska, Rose said the birth of his son inspired him to finish his degree. "So, my son was born. I was in the Army in Alaska, far away from home with no family, no friends," he said.

He wanted to give his son a better life, and he said that he knew education was a path to get there.

Rose is currently a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, and as a military learner, he noted his appreciation for SNHU's student support services.

At one point during his program, Rose had to unexpectedly go into the field for the military for five days and said he forgot to notify the school. "I got back, I was missing an assignment, and I had four missed phone calls from my advisors," he said. "They do a great job to keep up with all the students here."

Flourishing in Finance

Rose said the coursework in his program helped prepare him for the realities of work as a finance professional. "It's not just a read this book and answer questions," he said. "It actually gives you those real-world scenarios that you can actually apply day-to-day."

One course in particular stuck with him for the experiential learning it offered. "I believe throughout my time at SNHU, I think the capstone was the most beneficial class in terms of giving us that real-world experience," he said.

He said his capstone project involved acting as a finance manager to take control and put together a financial report, and he can already apply what he learned from that course and the rest of his program in his current position as an accountant at a nonprofit.

While outcomes vary for every graduate, Rose said his degree helped him advance in his career, too.

"I would say my finance degree was worth it. For me specifically, I actually just got promoted," he said. "My manager was just waiting for me to get my degree, so I got promoted the next week."

Next Up: A Master's Degree

Rose said his bachelor's degree was a stepping stone that would allow him to reach new heights, including earning an advanced degree.

"My parents are really my motivation; both of my parents have their master's," he said. "I want to go one step forward and get a doctorate. I'm competing with my parents right now."

At Commencement, he was already accepted to a graduate program at SNHU. "The school has been amazing," Rose said. "I can't wait to come right back."

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Õ¬ÄÐƵµÀ where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on .