Accounting Student Finds Her Passion in Teaching Others

When Alexis Bohman became a tutor at Rasmussen University for the School of Business, she thought she would be “just dipping her toes into the role.” However, with a rising demand for lead tutors, Alexis jumped into the lead role feetfirst, inspiring students and faculty alike.

A New Beginning

Three years ago, Alexis didn’t anticipate going back to school. She focused her time on raising three children and working full time to support their futures. “I wanted to make sure they had everything they needed growing up.”

Then the unexpected happened. Alexis found out her position was removed at her company. She was now unemployed.

Instead of getting discouraged, Alexis viewed the change as an opportunity. “I always encouraged my kids to find the positive to the negative, and what happened to me is a perfect example.” When her family asked her what she wanted to do next, she proposed going back to school. “I thought, ‘What’s a better time than now?’” Her family agreed. After all of these years taking care of her family and putting them first, it was her turn. “It was time for me to do something for myself.”

With her family’s support, Alexis embraced the opportunity to join the Rasmussen University Accounting program.

Remembering Lessons Learned

As she began classes at Rasmussen, she recalled lessons she had learned in high school. She had struggled in class, but she was determined she would find success this time around. “I didn’t make the time nor had the patience. Now, I have a whole different view.”

Alexis loved working with numbers, but she had to balance her life and coursework. She carved out time for classes. Her family offered help to ease her responsibilities at home. “They told me I didn’t have to do everything for them anymore.” Within a year, Alexis achieved her Associate’s degree. She thrived in her accounting classes and, in 2020, set her sights on a Bachelor’s degree.

An Unexpected Opportunity

When Alexis received a notification that she was eligible to be a tutor through work-study, she was surprised. She wasn’t aware Rasmussen University had tutoring services.

Alexis felt joining tutoring was the right thing to do. She recalled, “I heard students struggling and making comments about the accounting classes I’ve taken, and I wanted to help those students.” She applied for the position that night.

On Being a Tutor

As a tutor, Alexis enjoyed providing guidance to students during their pursuits of learning. “We’re actually helping students fully comprehend everything that they’re learning in class—not just providing the answers.” When working with students, she thought of creative ways to reframe the problem or question so the content was more approachable. She would ask the student to think about how the problem applies to the real world or provide them another way of looking at it in order to spark understanding.

“There’s nothing more rewarding to see a student succeed because you helped them.” Her work even led to students applying to become tutors because they want to help others just like she had helped them.

As winter approached, Alexis noticed the Tutoring Service team needed more lead tutors. Even though she was just starting as a tutor, she reached out to offer her help. “I told them I would help however I could.” They brought her on as a lead tutor, and Alexis hit the ground running.

As a lead, Alexis continues to tutor students in addition to onboarding new hires and ensuring all tutors are fully prepared for their responsibilities. She also provides feedback and guidance during the Tutor Excellence Program (TEP) certification process, which every tutor at Rasmussen needs to complete before starting. TEP is one of less than 1,000 programs across the world recognized by the College Reading and Learning Association, setting an internationally accepted standard of skills and training for tutor certification. With TEP, every tutor is equipped to provide students the same level of tutoring excellence.

Alexis and her fellow tutors strive to provide the best experience for every student. “We are here to help students as much as we possibly can—because tutoring can be the key to help students succeed.”

Plans for The Future

Through helping students by tutoring, Alexis realized her true passion: teaching. She enjoys being a part of the student journey and helping students succeed when they aren’t sure if they can learn accounting. She remembers her nights helping her kids with homework—and it seemed meant to be from the beginning.

As her graduation date draws near, Alexis has her next goal in mind. She will be getting a Master’s degree, and then she will become an instructor.