Looking Back, What Moment or Experience at VTSU had the Biggest Impact on You?
I remember being surprised at myself that I’m getting a Mathematics Degree. I’ve never been good at math, and had struggled with it all throughout my education. I had a hard time remembering the “numbers” of it, the rote memorization expected at the time I went to school: elementary through my Associate’s degree. My advisor and professor, Greg Petrics, gave a tip that really helped (paraphrased): “You were told you were never going to always have a calculator in your pocket. Turns out you have a whole computer in your pocket. Use it, let it do the arithmetic. It’s better at it than you are.” With that advice, it freed me from worrying about the arithmetic, and actually concerning myself with the problem I really need to solve.
I would also say another important experience has been the research projects I’ve done. From my semester long Senior Project, which challenged me more than I thought it would, to various small projects for classes, and my research apprenticeship, I enjoyed the time set aside for the sort of “data wrangling” I wished I’d had more time to do in my free time. It gave me a structure and a deadline for projects I might not otherwise would have had.
Who or What Helped You Succeed During Your Time at VTSU?
Greg Petrics was a great advisor. He encouraged me to take challenging classes at a pace I hadn’t originally planned on. He has encouraged me to continue studying, even suggesting a Master’s or PhD. Although neither of those would have worked with my current work and home life, it was a nice bit of encouragement that I’m able to handle the workload.
Being able to take classes online, online asynchronously, or in-person (although I never did), was easily the most important thing for me going back to school. I work a full 40-hour workweek, and manage a household on top of that. If I had to drive to classrooms, I would never have been able to do what I’ve done. Even having the flexibility to attend a non-asynch class asynchronously via recorded videos was an amazing adaptation that made it possible to take a required class for my degree. The flexibility offered by my professors and understanding of my situation was greatly appreciated. I also was able to take some of my finals or present my senior project in person, making me feel more connected to the University. Having the freedom to take classes based at all 5 campuses was an important reason for my choice to return to school.
I was not a great student at VTC 20 years ago. I had a poor work ethic, and remained under academic probation most of my time there. I learned some study skills from Dan Boyse (I hope I’m spelling his name right) while I was there, but it wasn’t until I got into the workforce, and failed a few times, that I really learned what it took. Finally, I was diagnosed with ADHD at 39. I received accommodations from Disability Services, and the correct treatment, and finally felt like I was capable of doing anything. Having the maturity to ask for help, and the knowledge that I could do things if I put my mind to it, along with support from my job, family, and school, I was able to succeed far better than I could have ever hoped.
How did Your VTSU Experience Prepare You for What Comes Next?
The way that I always seemed to be learning a topic weeks before, or even at the same time as, a project at work had me doing the same thing made me wonder if someone was watching me through a window. I have been able to use the skills and knowledge I’ve learned almost immediately in my job, even though I’m not working directly in Data Science. Getting my degree was never about career advancement, it was a point of pride for myself. I was forced to graduate with my Associate’s Degree in 2008, partially because of the recession and my partner graduated at the same time. We couldn’t afford an apartment on a single income, and my savings were drained, so I chose to graduate and enter the workforce. It’s always been a desire of mine to get my Bachelor’s degree. When COVID hit, and some shortcomings at work had me taking some classes at CCV, I realized how few classes I was from getting a degree. I could now easily afford the classes, I had an understanding boss who was OK with me taking time during the day for class sessions (as long as I made up my time), and I now had a work ethic (and support) that would let me succeed. I’ve learned that I can do this. I am good at math (still terrible at arithmetic). And I enjoy the hard work that caused so many late nights of studying.
What are Your Plans After Graduation?
I have a full time job, and a well-established career. I’d like to slowly pivot into a more analytical role, but I enjoy what I do. Nothings going to change there. But immediately after I graduate, I’m going to fish, kayak, knit, hike, and do all the things I barely had time for while I was studying. I might take a few arts or continuing ed style classes at CCV, but not for a while.
Getting my degree was never about career advancement (although that’d be nice). I was well beyond the “or equivalent experience” line on a job description in my career. Getting my degree has been 100% getting back at the registrar at VTC who told me “You should have thought about that before you left”, when I asked what classes I’d need to take to get my bachelors a year after I’d graduated and was dismayed to find out that some of my classes wouldn’t count toward new program requirements. Well, I did think about it, for 15 years I’d thought about it. And now I’ve got it.
What Advice Would you Give to Incoming or Current VTSU Students?
Ask for help. I somehow had it in my head all those years ago that asking for help or going to tutoring or open office hours was somehow shameful or embarrassing. It’s not. It’s part of why we’re going to college or university. Ask the questions, raise your hand, put yourself out there. Get noticed.
Use your support system. This includes friends, family, professors, medical providers, and drug companies. Both this “go ’round” and my time at VTC. Without my friends and family supporting me, professors encouraging and supporting me even when I didn’t, and finally (finally) getting diagnosed with ADHD and being given the correct treatment, I don’t think I could have done this. It was a lot of hard work, and going back as an adult was exactly what I needed.
I’d also say it’s OK to take a break, and it’s OK to come back after 15 years. We had an “old guy” in some of our classes when I was at VTC. He seemed like he must have been in his 70s. Now I’m the “old guy” (and realize he was probably in his 40s or 50s), and that’s OK. I can offer support and career advice to my classmates who might not hear it from their support system. And I’d like to think having an adult that could manage themselves in class made it just a little easier on the professors, although I was the one asking all of the questions.