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For Chase Lynd, returning to college wasn鈥檛 something he had always planned鈥攂ut it turned out to be one of the best decisions he鈥檚 ever made.

A native of South Point, Ohio, Lynd came to with a passion for business and a desire to gain skills that would shape his future. Now, he鈥檚 preparing to graduate with a degree in business and a minor in marketing鈥攁nd a job offer in hand.

鈥淚鈥檝e always had a passion for business,鈥� Lynd said. 鈥淚 wanted to grow and learn new skills that would benefit me in the future to shape my life.鈥� That path led him to a position as a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual, where he鈥檒l be helping others plan for their futures as well.

His time at OHIO helped him find something deeper than just a career鈥攊t helped him find confidence.

鈥淚 feel that it has helped me believe in myself more,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y self-confidence has increased because I know that I have the credentials to compete in my field. I never thought that I would have gone back to college, but I was always fully supported along my journey.鈥�

Lynd credits Dr. Kim Riley with helping guide him through that journey.

鈥淪he was my advisor and helped me stay on the path to pursue this career,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he was always there when I needed support, and she always knew how to get me going and keep me motivated.鈥�

He鈥檚 especially proud of the progress he made in areas where he once struggled鈥攍ike math.

鈥淲hen I took college algebra, I never thought that I would be able to achieve an A in any math, and I was able to do so,鈥� he said.

As a non-traditional student balancing full-time work with full-time classes, Lynd鈥檚 path wasn鈥檛 always easy.

鈥淕oing back to school while working 40 hours per week was difficult to navigate at first,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I found my footing and was able to take 18 hours each semester to achieve my degree while balancing a job.鈥�

His advice to incoming students is simple: 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to ask for help. Everyone is very willing to go above and beyond for one another, so you鈥檒l never feel alone.鈥�

Now, as he gets ready to turn the tassel, Lynd sees graduation as more than a milestone鈥攊t鈥檚 a launchpad.

鈥淏eing an OHIO graduate means gaining the confidence and skills to chase my professional goals,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 where I discovered my path, learned to be a better leader, and built the foundation for the career I鈥檓 building today.鈥�