Ana Harmon
Harmon continues journey through ECU distribution and logistics program
More than two decades had passed since Ana Craig Harmon attended school — and that was in her native Mexico.
A lot has happened since. She moved to the United States, eventually making her way to Wilmington where she works as an international logistics coordinator at Walex Products Company. She knew her journey wasn’t finished. She enrolled in a community college where her advisor told her about East Carolina University’s distribution and logistics program. She applied, got accepted and now is a junior juggling life, career and school.
“I was particularly drawn to ECU because the distribution and logistics program aligned perfectly with my current role and career goals,” Harmon said. “The program’s flexibility — combined with the reasonable tuition costs — allowed me to pursue my degree while working full time. This balance between work and education was crucial for me, and ECU provided the ideal environment to achieve that.”
Harmon is among 44% of students in the College of Engineering and Technology who are considered nontraditional, in that they didn’t enter ECU right after high school graduation. She said her desire for career advancement as a project manager or Systems, Applications and Products (SAP) data processor prompted her decision to get a college degree.
“An ECU degree in distribution and logistics will significantly enhance my career by providing a strong foundation in supply chain management, logistics and operational strategies,” she said. “Added to my experience in customer service and logistics, this degree will further refine my skills and broaden my understanding of industry best practices, allowing me to pursue more advanced roles, streamline operations and contribute to overall business efficiency. I believe it will open doors to new opportunities and help me stay competitive in this dynamic field.”
Ana Craig Harmon, a distance education student in ECU’s distribution and logistics program, works on her laptop in Wilmington. (Contributed photo)
As a nontraditional and distance education student, Harmon said ECU has provided a supportive environment with experienced faculty who are helping her reach her goals.
“My experience at ECU has been fantastic,” she said. “The program is comprehensive, covering all the key aspects of distribution and logistics that are relevant to my career. The professors are not only knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in student success. Their support and encouragement have made a significant difference in my learning experience, and I truly feel that they want every student to excel. Overall, the balance of academic rigor and personalized support has made my time at ECU both rewarding and fulfilling.”
That’s not to say challenges don’t exist.
“My biggest challenge has been balancing a full-time job with my class schedule,” Harmon said. “Life often throws a wrench into even the best-laid plans, making it difficult to juggle everything, but I’ve learned that time management is key. Using techniques like the Pomodoro method — dedicating 25 minutes of focused work followed by a short break — has helped me stay on top of schoolwork. Even if I have only 30 minutes some days, breaking tasks into smaller chunks and staying consistent with my study routine have helped me maintain balance between work and school.”
Harmon admits to being fearful in her return to formal education, but she turned that fear around.
“The thing that has brought me the most joy as an adult learner is overcoming my initial fear of failure,” she said. “I always worried that college would be challenging since English is my second language, and the last time I attended school was back in the ’90s in Mexico. Proving to myself that I can learn and succeed in a different language has boosted my confidence tremendously and has given me a sense of accomplishment that I carry with me daily.”
She encourages working adults who are considering college to simply go for it.
“You are never too old, and it is never too late to start. I promise you: You will not be alone,” she said. “Every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow and learn, and taking small steps toward your goals can lead to big changes. Take that first step and keep pushing forward and know that your efforts will pay off.
“ECU offers a supportive environment where your background and experience will be assets, not setbacks. So, trust in your abilities, embrace the learning process and know that it’s never too late to pursue your goals. You bring something unique to the table. Do not underestimate that.”