Kara Canterbury-Brown admits she was not fully committed to earning her degree when she started at EKU. The Rockcastle County native enrolled hoping to prove to her family that college was not for her. Once she learned about the EKU Child and Family Development program, however, everything changed. She found her passion and finished her degree with a purpose. Now she’s a teacher who is making a difference in the lives of children, and she has even bigger plans for the future.
What is your current job?
I am a preschool teacher in Madison County, Kentucky and I plan to earn a master’s degree.
What do you like about the Child and Family Studies field?
If you can dream it, you can do it! That’s what I love about my major. Child and Family Studies graduates have options upon options. We can work with the public through educational programs, home based programs, court systems, policy or government. We can inform new mothers about how to raise a child. We can help improve childcare centers. We can go into homes to work with families. We can do anything! I am so excited I have a background in such a diverse field. Options here are absolutely limitless. And every option makes a difference in the life of a child.
What are your career goals?
I come from a military family. My father served for 38 years, so I have thought about using my degree to improve the overall life of military families. I want to be a source of counsel and information to help the family improve as a unit.
I know I want to work with the public. I have a very good friend who opened a home for girls that are HIV positive in sub-Saharan Africa. They rescue children from sexual abuse. I volunteered there for 5 months in 2012. I definitely see coming “home” to Africa in my future!
You had a unique experience enrolling as an on-campus student and also taking courses online. What do you love about EKU?
I absolutely love the child development program at EKU. The professors really care about what you learn and want to see you succeed.
The online classes call for you to do more than just read a chapter and answer questions. The courses really fuel your critical thinking skills and push you to want to learn more. I really appreciate them because the professors treat their students online with just as much respect as those physically in class.
What advice would you give future students?
Be willing to work hard. You get out what you put in. These courses will test your knowledge and will expand your way of thinking. Be ready for an educational experience like you’ve never had before!
The EKU Child and Family Studies program is now available 100% online with no required campus visits. Contact an advisor for more information.
Interested in advancing your career?
Earn your online bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university that has been an online education leader for more than 15 years. EKU’s 100% online child and family studies program prepares you to work with children in educational, institutional and human service settings.
To learn more about our bachelor’s degree complete the learn more form or check out our Child & Family Studies Program.