I chose to graduate back in 2008/9 with my Associates degree in computer engineering from VTC. At that time I’d run out of saved money for college, my partner had also graduated with his Bachelor’s degree. With the 2008 economic recession, it made more sense to have two incomes. From working as a helpdesk technician, I worked increasingly specialized jobs in Healthcare Technology, and am currently working as a Health Information Integration Engineer.
I had always had a bit of a “chip on my shoulder” that I’d never been able to get my Bachelor’s degree, especially when job requirements said “Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Experience”. I had that equivalent experience, but always wanted to have the Bachelor’s on my resume.
After having to turn down projects due to not knowing web development or Java, I took a few courses via CCV. I realized I’d missed taking classes, and enjoyed the challenge. I researched what it would take to complete my Bachelor’s, while taking classes related to my career. VTSU was offering a Data Science degree, and I had already taken most of the required classes as part of my time at VTC. I figured it’d take me about 3 or 4 years, taking 1 or 2 classes a semester, all while working a 40-hour a week job.
I won’t lie and say it’s been easy, but I have found out that I’m very much not the same student I was 15-20 years ago. I have a stronger work ethic, and am proud to say that I’ve maintained a 4.0 GPA while working a 40-45 hour a week job and taking 2 classes every semester.
It’s been a challenge, a lot of hard work and late nights, but I’ve enjoyed the time, and am proud of the work that I’ve done and my accomplishment.