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Business, AS

Daniel Aguilera's Story

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"I'm grateful for SCOPE because I knew I couldn't have done that and finished my degree in a regular classroom setting."

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MEET
Daniel Aguilera
San Pedro Sula, Cortés Department • Honduras
Business, AS
WHERE I STARTED

I grew up in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, in a family where both of my parents worked in the medical field. As I got involved in my church, I began serving in ministry and helping start a Spanish ministry. During that time, I saw how much leadership and organization were needed behind the scenes, and I realized those were areas where I needed to grow.

WHY I NEEDED SCOPE

I decided to pursue a business degree so I could better support the ministry. As I got closer to finishing, I needed an option that would fit my schedule while working third shift. SCOPE provided that flexibility. It allowed me to complete my classes on my own time while continuing to work and meet my responsibilities.

WHAT I WANTED TO ACHIEVE

My goal was to combine business and ministry in a way that allows me to serve effectively. I wanted practical skills that would support both my work and my calling. Through the program, I was able to finish my degree, graduate debt-free and move forward with a clearer vision for how I can use both in the future.

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Business, AS
Credits
59
Next Start
May. 11
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A Calling Shaped by Both Ministry and Business

I grew up in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, as the youngest in my family. Both of my parents worked in the medical field. My mom was a nurse, and my dad was a pediatrician. Their example showed me what it looks like to serve others through your work.

As I got involved in ministry, I began serving in my church and assisting my pastor in different areas. During that time, we also started a Spanish ministry. Those experiences gave me a closer look at how ministry operates on a daily basis.

As I observed our pastors, I began to notice something I had not expected. There were many business principles at work behind the scenes. Leadership, organization, and decision-making all played a role in how the ministry functioned. I also realized that those were not areas where I felt naturally strong. That realization led me to consider a new direction.

Combining Business and Ministry Training

I decided to pursue a business degree so I could better support the work I felt called to. As I worked through my associate’s degree, I found something that stood out to me right away. Many of my professors approached their teaching with a strong spiritual focus.

That connection mattered to me. I have always wanted to combine business and ministry rather than separate them. My goal is to use both together in a way that allows me to serve faithfully while also supporting myself.

Looking ahead, I see that taking shape in different ways. I want to be involved in church ministry while also using my business training. I am also interested in teaching in a seminary setting one day.

An Unexpected Opportunity

My experience with SCOPE was not something I originally planned. At first, I expected to attend classes on campus since I was living nearby. As I got closer to finishing my degree, I realized I only had a few classes left. That is when I learned about the option to complete them online.

That option became a turning point for me.

At the same time, I had taken a job at the BMW plant in Greer, working third shift from 6:00 in the evening until 3:00 in the morning. Balancing that schedule with traditional classes would have been extremely difficult.

SCOPE gave me the flexibility to continue working while finishing my degree. It allowed me to study at times that fit my schedule and avoid the strain that would have come with a full classroom load.

A Practical and Purposeful Outcome

Because of that flexibility, I was able to complete my degree in a way that worked for my life. It also allowed me to graduate without taking on debt, which was a significant blessing.

More importantly, it helped me move forward with a clearer vision of how I can use my skills. I am now better prepared to support ministry through both practical knowledge and spiritual focus.

If you are unsure about going back to school or finishing your degree, I would encourage you to take a closer look at what is available to you. Programs like SCOPE make it possible to move forward no matter your stage of life. With the right balance of flexibility and affordability, you can finish what you started and prepare for what comes next.

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