Father and son working on business degrees at William Carey University

A father-and-son team is enrolled this fall at William Carey University’s School of Business. Father Clyde Bryant is working toward a master’s degree in business administration, an MBA, while son C.J. Bryant is studying for a bachelor’s degree.

Dr. Robert Thompson, dean of the WCU School of Business, said it happened almost accidentally.

“Clyde Bryant and I were talking while he visited campus one day as a parent. He mentioned he was an insurance agent with State Farm and I asked him if the company had a tuition reimbursement program. That’s how I had earned my MBA, years ago, when I worked in the hospitality industry,” Thompson said.

“Mr. Bryant said they did, so I asked if he had ever thought about pursuing an MBA that way. He said yes, in fact, he had been thinking about it just that morning – and here we are.”

This is the story, told by C.J. Bryant and his father, Clyde Bryant.

How it started:

C.J. Bryant: “I first went to another school for a healthcare-related degree. But over time, I realized my interests were taking me in a different direction. And I missed being part of the Hattiesburg community. I’ve always enjoyed following the stock market and learning about investing, so switching to business and finance seemed like a better fit.”

Clyde Bryant: “I’ve been self-employed for 37 years. Earning my MBA has been a personal goal of mine. I’ve learned a lot from owning a business, but I wanted to challenge myself to accomplish something new. I can work toward that goal here in Hattiesburg while still running my business.”

How it’s going:

C.J. Bryant: “I’m learning to look beyond whether a stock goes up or down and think more about the business behind it. I want to understand how companies operate, how financial decisions are made, and how to weigh risks. I’m developing business and communication skills I’ll need wherever I end up working.”

Clyde Bryant: “It’s been interesting to step back and look at things from a different perspective. I’m connecting what I’ve learned through years of experience with new ideas about business and decision-making. Taking online classes and navigating a computer to complete assignments hasn’t been easy, but I’m getting more comfortable.”

What it’s like:

C.J. Bryant: “I’m proud of him. He’s already built a career, but he’s challenging himself to learn something new. Seeing him work through the parts of school that are difficult makes me keep going when things get challenging for me.”

Clyde Bryant: “It’s special. You spend years encouraging your child to work hard and get an education, and suddenly we’re both students. Seeing C.J. work toward his future makes me proud. We’re at different stages of life, but we understand what it takes to keep up with assignments and stay focused.”

What’s next:

C.J. Bryant: “I want to explore where I fit in the finance world. I’m interested in investing and possibly becoming a stockbroker or I may become a State Farm agent like my dad.”

Clyde Bryant: “Finishing my MBA will be a big personal accomplishment. Professionally, I want to apply what I’m learning to my work, serve the people who have trusted me over the years. And I hope my experience encourages others – you don’t have to put a goal aside just because you’ve been away from the classroom for a while.”

Clyde Bryant, left, and his son C.J. are staying focused as they pursue business degrees at William Carey University.