For Carrie Bergquist the decision to go back to school was more than preparation for the next step in a career. It was about her two daughters, a better life, and seizing an opportunity. A visit with faculty in the Business Department at the University of Minnesota Crookston was the meeting that sealed the deal for Bergquist.
For the past 19 years, the 2011 graduate has been with Altru Health System working her way from medical records to the transcription department to insurance to her current role in administration and retention as well as serving as a regional health care preparedness coordinator. Bergquist works closely with the marketing department at Altru, sets up shadowing with physicians, onboards new staff and immerses herself and others at Altru in community engagement activities.
Following her meeting with former faculty member Kenneth Johnson in Business Department at UMN Crookston, Bergquist found the inspiration and the push she needed. Along with her decision, she found the right combination of online and on-campus classes to make it work.
Balancing a career and motherhood with school was not always easy and required balancing time after work between her children and her homework. “I would focus on my children’s homework and give them my time when I came home in the evening and study as soon as they were tucked in bed,” Bergquist says. “I was fortunate to have the support of Altru. Workplace support for education was vital and helped me continue to support my family while working toward my degree.”
She found the leadership, psychology, and management classes in her business management major to be invaluable. “I came away with a better understanding of my employees and how I could help them work to their best potential,” Bergquist continues. “In marketing I leaned to pay attention to how businesses are set up and how they could be changed to better serve their customers.”
Bergquist enjoyed her online classes as much as her on-campus ones. “We learned a lot from each other,” she explains, “Through group chats we would solve problems together no matter where we were located across the country and we each brought something different to the conversations.”
If she had a favorite class, one of the top contenders certainly would be instructor Chuck Lariviere’s entrepreneurship class. Going back to school was not the easy choice for Bergquist but she knows it was one of the best decisions she has made for herself and for her children. “I have my diploma on display in my office,” she says. “It reminds me of those years and what they meant to our future as a family.”
It goes without saying, there were times when she wanted to throw in the towel, but it seemed someone or something always seemed to be there to keep her going including important encouragement from her advisor. Her hope is that her children will remember how important a degree was to their mother and choose to go to college when they finish high school.
When Bergquist graduated in 2011, she and her girls went to Disney to celebrate, a plan they hatched together two years before she finished. “You make a decision, you push through, and you always keep the end in sight.”
About UMN Crookston
One of five campuses in the University of Minnesota System, the University of Minnesota Crookston cultivates curiosity by engaging students in hands-on learning connecting theory to practice. As the experienced leader in delivering education online, the Crookston campus offers a distinctive learning environment providing personal attention and mentorship to develop leaders, lifelong learners, and engaged citizens. Visit Crookston at c.umn.edu
About UMN
The University of Minnesota System, with campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities, is driven by a singular vision of excellence. We are proud of our land-grant mission of world-class education, groundbreaking research, and community-engaged outreach, and we are unified in our drive to serve Minnesota. Learn more at system.umn.edu
In photos:
Carrie Bergquist graduated in 2011 with her bachelor’s degree.
Kylie (blonde) Kendall and Jack with their mom, Carrie who currently works at Altru Health System in Crookston.
