Student Stories: Why Jill Hatley Returned to College, and Why She Chose App State Online
Written by:
Appalachian State University
• Feb 23, 2026
Jill Hatley didn’t return to college to pursue a specific job title. At 47, she decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Appalachian State University, completing her degree on her own timeline after raising her children and working for nearly two decades.
As an accounting manager at a commercial door company in North Carolina, Hatley oversees various tasks, including human resources (HR) responsibilities, billing and payments. Over the course of building her career and caring for her family, she quietly considered completing her bachelor’s degree.
“I finished my associate degree in 2008,” she said. “By the time I finish this next journey, it could be 2028. That’s almost 20 years apart — but it feels right.”
Learn more about Hatley’s personal and professional journey and why she chose App State Online’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Accounting program.
Putting Her Family First
Hatley married her husband when they were 21 and 22. She was partway through her associate degree when she decided to put further education on hold.
“We thought, ‘We can always go back to school. That’s not a big deal,’” she said. “And then life happened, and I very much focused on my job and my kids.”
By 25, Hatley had two daughters and a full-time job. She also completed her associate degree in business administration in 2008. She hoped that she and her husband would eventually be able to continue their education, but not until her children were set up for success.
“My kids were my priority,” she said. “I wanted to make sure they had everything they needed and finished their education first.”
She fulfilled that priority. Both of her daughters pursued higher education. Her oldest daughter graduated with a bachelor’s degree, and her youngest is pursuing graduate studies in pharmacy.
Growing Her Accounting Knowledge
Hatley didn’t need to get her bachelor’s degree — she chose to. While she’s worked in roles related to accounting for years, she pursued her degree to grow her skills and strengthen her long-term career prospects.
“It’s not that I need the degree to keep my job,” she explained. “But you never know if a company’s going to be bought out. I’m still young, and I have a future ahead of me, so I finally decided to buckle down and do it and stop fearing the unknown at my age.”
Hatley also wanted to deepen her knowledge in accounting. In her current role, an external CPA handles some of the more advanced accounting functions. She hoped that a degree in accounting would help her gain the knowledge to manage these functions independently and troubleshoot issues.
“I would be able to answer a lot of questions, do a lot of things that they would already know,” she said.
Choosing App State Online
Hatley first heard about App State Online’s BSBA in Accounting program through a message on LinkedIn. She had been looking at accounting programs online but was apprehensive about returning to school after nearly 20 years and balancing the course workload with a full-time job.
The enrollment team at App State Online quickly eased some of these concerns, explaining that the program was specifically designed for adult learners like her with careers and other commitments.
“They were very encouraging and very easy to talk to,” Hatley said. “The process was very easy … they let me know that it was something I could do, not something that would be overwhelming.”
Looking Ahead
Hatley will continue to work full time while earning her degree, balancing her work with her education. She plans to leverage some of her organizational skills while she completes her degree.
“It’s just going to be a matter of me juggling, you know, but I’m very driven, detailed and organized,” she said. “I’m always three steps ahead.”
Hatley’s family is also very supportive of her return to higher education. “Mom,” they told her, “you’re finally doing something for yourself.” She’s pursuing her degree alongside her children, and she may even graduate at the same time as her daughter.
All in all, Hatley is ready to invest in herself and her learning journey. “It’s just been really cool to be able to be excited,” she says, “I think I’ll log on or check my email every day just to see and read everything that’s sent to me.”
She also plans to walk at graduation. “You better believe I’m going to walk,” she said. “I’m not just going to take that piece of paper in the mail. It’s something I earned.”
Invest in Yourself at App State Online
Hatley’s experience is a reminder that adult learners can prioritize their education at any stage of life — learning has no expiration date. “I’ve been out almost 20 years, but I’ve never stopped learning,” she said. “This is just finishing something I started a long time ago.”
If you want to continue your education while prioritizing your life, consider the Flight Path programs at App State Online, such as the online BSBA in Accounting. The programs are designed for working professionals who want flexible pathways to earn their degrees while balancing life’s demands.
Our programs offer direct access to the same faculty who teach on-campus programs and who are committed to student success.
Find out more about App State Online’s interactive programs and how they can help you reach your professional goals through continuing education.
Recommended Readings
Understanding Tax Compliance for Accountants