Bauknecht earned the IT - Computer Support Specialist Associate Degree with the intent to financially support herself while completing medical school. However, those plans changed after an injury that caused Baucknecht to reconsider her future career.

“I got in a pretty bad accident last August and I realized that I might want to be a paramedic instead of going to be a medical doctor,” said Bauknecht.

During the course of the following year, Bauknecht recovered from her injuries while completing her associate degree online through NTC’s Virtual College. 

“All of the instructors are incredibly helpful and if you’re going a virtual option – even for a couple of classes – it’s incredibly flexible and it will work with your schedule,” said Bauknecht. “It just requires the motivation, so if you have a passion for it… go for it.”

Bauknecht plans to attend NTC to earn the Fire Medic Associate Degree following her high school graduation and has already completed nearly two semesters of the program.