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Salvaging an undergrad career

Finishing the college degree I started 15 years ago helped me progress professionally

By Tim McManus, 8/17/09

I was a full-time Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) student more than 15 years ago. At 17, I was not mature enough to understand the importance of a complete college education. As a result, I floundered through RIT cascading between completed classes, dropped classes and incomplete classes. Needless to say, I have a colorful but not admirable academic record.

In 1994, I left RIT after six years of indecision and entered the working world. I was fortunate enough to work for inspirational managers and supportive companies, which provided mentoring and guidance. This fueled my professional growth and diminished my immaturity.

I began my career at J. Crew and proceeded to grow professionally at Toys “R” Us, Liz Claiborne, C-bridge Internet Solutions, Thomson Healthcare/Medical Economics and Thomson Healthcare/Physicians World. Although my lack of a bachelor’s degree never impaired my ability to rise to the position of technology director, I did find that I hit a glass ceiling. In order to progress professionally beyond this level, most executive candidates possessed an advanced degree. My lack of a bachelor’s degree prevented me from progressing academically and professionally at that point.

It was during this time I decided to contact RIT and complete my degree. With the assistance of an academic counselor, I was able to salvage the credits I had accrued in my previous collegiate experience and apply them toward a degree program that suited my career path.

In the beginning, I conservatively took one course every year. But since I decided to consistently take at least one course per quarter, I received my bachelor’s degree in the summer of 2003. That’s only 15 years after I started RIT as a teenager! Needless to say, my entire family was excited.

If I were to pick one aspect of online learning that I embraced the most, it’s the near-self-paced progression. The best instructors have structured classes that allow you to manage your workload to within a week’s time. This regimented yet liberal schedule allows the professional student the ability to work, raise a family, take classes and cut the lawn without sacrificing professional, personal or private time.

However, the best part about an online learning program is the student’s ability to complete coursework and subsequently degree work. Regardless of your situation, it just works—whether you started college and want to finish, or if you want to see what college is all about before committing four years of your life to the task.

If you have a demanding lifestyle that needs balance to make it all work, online learning has a positive place in every motivated student’s portfolio!

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