Inspiration for Education : Inspirational Online Students

Hollywood Actor, Online Student, and Now White House Employee

Victoria — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:57:00 GMT

Kal Penn is an actor who you would likely recognize if you've seen The Namesake (2006), Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004), or the Fox Network's television series House M.D. Today it was announced that he has been hired to work at the White House, according to The Associated Press.

Working in Hollywood as an actor means unpredictable hours, but Penn has been able to enroll in an international studies program and complete most of his classes online. Taking online courses helped him manage his acting schedule and progress in his studies at Stanford. Penn has been studying at Stanford since 2006, according to an interview published on Entertainment Weekly's Web site.

Read his interview with Entertainment Weekly and read about his White House job offer at USA Today.

Add to:

MBA Grad Looks Back on Studies at Kaplan University

Victoria — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:17:00 GMT

Three years ago, 43-year-old Janice Barnwell began her MBA course work at Kaplan University. Shortly after starting her program, she learned she was pregnant. "It's been difficult, to say the least," she remarks, laughing. "It was a challenge, but I was excited about my pregnancy and my MBA." Today, she holds a Master of Business Administration and is the mother of two daughters—a college student and a 15-month-old.

In February 2006, Janice started her graduate work, taking one 6-week course she describes as "very intense." For many years she had mulled over the idea of graduate school. "I've always wanted to get my master's degree. I never found the time, though I'd looked," she recalls. Time was an important factor to consider; Janice's commute averages about an hour and a half each way and she works 35 to 40 hours a week. "There have been times when I was stressed out," she admits. "It is a lot."

Janice lives in a major metropolitan area where a number of universities are local to her, but none offered the kind of flexibility she required. "I knew I was going online," she remembers. After reviewing a number of universities with distance learning programs, Kaplan University had the best program for her. She was contacted by an Admissions Advisor who "was on the ball. I felt like that was key," she says. Kaplan University's School of Business and Management is unique in that it offers 10-week terms with no delay between courses. Once a student completes a course, a subsequent course begins. The classes are small and intimate as well, with an average of 10 to 12 students per course. "I've recommended Kaplan to others. It's a really good program," Janice says. "I feel I made the best choice."

Janice had no prior experience with distance learning when she began the MBA program. "I think I was a little paranoid at first until I was used to the process," she says, recalling how she would ask herself "How is this going to work? What is the course load I should expect?" After the first month, Janice began to feel comfortable in her online classroom. She also began to notice how her communication skills had improved. "It was similar to a physical classroom," she says of her first class. "It helped me with my writing skills. Now it's like second nature."

The convenience of studying online was a great benefit to her, especially when her second daughter was born. "It seemed like a very difficult situation; in the midst of it, I was doing it," she remembers of managing motherhood and her academic career. "It was fine. It was something I wanted and had to do." Janice speaks of her experience at Kaplan with pride and accomplishment. "An MBA puts you at a different level. I see it as a huge asset to me," says Janice, who finished her MBA, but returned to Kaplan University to earn a specialization. "The professors have so much knowledge in the field. Their résumés are amazing." In the MBA program, she was able to progress through her course work quickly and earned her degree in approximately 18 months.

Janice offers positive comments regarding her program. "I've been fairly pleased," she says. "It's been very rewarding." Distance education proved to be a great option for her as well. The best thing for Janice was the flexibility of taking courses online. "Not having the problem of getting into a physical classroom," she offers, "has been the best thing. That would have been a huge problem for me."

Time management and prioritization were key factors in Janice's success in graduate school. She advises, "At the beginning, give yourself a benchmark and do it." Being able to establish an objective and follow through helped her to progress steadily through the program requirements. "You have to make sure you live by your schedule," she continues. "Sometimes in the office I would get course work done." Another benefit of Kaplan University's programs is that they are typically structured for working adults. Janice's professors would post the week's assignments on Wednesdays. The completed assignments were due the following Tuesdays. The assignment schedule allowed her to study through the weekend and submit the work each Tuesday.

Janice is now well-practiced in managing her time and finds herself to be more disciplined in her life—such as paying bills and using small portions of time to complete tasks. When it was time for her eldest daughter to consider going to college, Janice's graduate work set a strong example. "With me being in graduate school," Janice says, "she knew that going to college was something she wanted. She pretty much took the reins on that one!"

Having an MBA has helped Janice do well. She was able to advance professionally in the spring of 2008—when the employment rate was at five percent and climbing—and "it was because of my MBA," she says. She sums up her current outlook rather aptly when she says, "I’m getting everything out of life that I want."

Learn more about the degree and continuing education programs at Kaplan University.

Add to:

Interview with Nursing Grad Student: "It's never too late."

Victoria — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:57:00 GMT

"I was really unsure how I was going to do. I've been surprised," remarks Katherine Getchel of her academic success at Kaplan University. The 47-year-old graduate student is studying online to earn her Master of Science in Nursing degree, with a focus in nursing education.

Katherine earned her RN-to-BSN degree in 2008. Just months after graduating, she gained admission to and enrolled in Kaplan University's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. "I didn't want to lose the momentum," she says. "I knew I would not have gone back at my age."

For 23 years Katherine has been hitting the books, but was not able to complete her degree. Aside from the additional burden of commuting to a campus, it can be hard to advance in a degree program if studies cannot be completed at the same school. For any number of reasons, a school may not accept course work or credits earned elsewhere. Katherine estimates that, over the years, she has completed about eight courses that were not accepted by or transferable to other schools. Going online has fit her life the best. As a wife, mother, and full-time nurse manager overseeing three units and approximately 100 employees, "there'd be no way I could attend college [without distance learning]. That's why I never finished my degree."

For Katherine, a job opportunity prompted her desire to go back to school. "Was I willing to get the degree?" she recalls asking herself. After making the decision to pursue a degree in nursing, she shared her goals with her family. "We sat down as a family. It was going to take some sacrifice. My husband was right there for me, saying 'This is the right thing.' He's a great support." She does not romanticize going back to school. "It's not for everyone. It has to be the right time for you—and fit into your life." Working adults, especially parents, have to consider the priorities in their lives and how their schooling may affect their families or job performance. "I was grateful; it was the push I really needed." Shortly after discussing her academic plans with the family, Kaplan University contacted her about its RN-to-BSN program. "It was kind of fate," she says, describing the timing.

Katherine speaks volumes of her experience at Kaplan University. "The education is first rate. When I heard they were also coming out with a master's program when I was completing my bachelor's degree, I was thrilled. It worked out perfectly." She had previously attended another online nursing program, but it was not a good fit. "There was no interaction. I didn't like that kind of education." Kaplan University is different in its approach. Rather than having its students work in a hands-off environment, the classes maintain "a lot of interaction," describes Katherine. "The professors are very supportive. We're not on our own in a silo somewhere."

Kaplan University helps new students acclimate to the online classroom environment. Katherine found the Web-based classroom to be accessible and intuitive. "They make it very simple. We have an online orientation; it's like a course to help you take your courses." Online students even have access to a full library—completely online and available around the clock. Rather than readjusting life to fit around school, she now enjoys the kind of flexibility only online education can offer. "I make my own schedule," she says.

Kaplan University's MSN students can choose a specialization in their degree, either administration or education. "I've been in management for a number of years. With the nursing shortage, [nursing education] is the area with the greatest need. I've always been interested in it," says Katherine, referring to how she decided which area of specialization to pursue.

As part of her MSN program, Katherine must complete what is called a nursing practicum: a student is required to spend 150 hours putting into practice the theory and concepts they have studied throughout the curriculum.She is on track to earn her master's degree in December 2009.

"I think it's never too late to learn. You can never give up on learning. I encourage my peers to go back to school," she says. "It's never too late. That's probably what I've learned the most."

Learn more about the degree and continuing education programs at Kaplan University.

Add to:

Online student finds success with her second career

Victoria — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:19:00 GMT

For her second career, Trudy Sutherland wanted to teach…in China.

By Amanda Farr

Changing careers isn't easy. Most of us will change our career at least once in our working lives. Changing your career, however, often requires going back to school to become better qualified for your new position. For most busy adults, returning to school seems impossible. For many, online education makes it possible.

Western Governors University graduate Trudy Sutherland is a great example of a successful career changer. After more than 18 years working as a Court Administrator, Trudy decided she wanted to become a teacher.

"My lifelong goal was to teach internationally," Trudy said. "I needed an accredited college suitable for a working professional, and WGU Teachers College offered that opportunity."

Trudy's dream came true. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science in November 2007, and her degree immediately opened the door to teach English and social studies all over the world. She currently teaches in the People's Republic of China where her husband is on assignment. "WGU gave me the flexibility as a working professional to earn a degree which would open the door to a more positive career in teaching, one more reflective of the future," Trudy said.

Changing your career doesn't have to linger on as just a dream. It can become your reality. Career changing is a process of self discovery — exploring options, refining your individual needs and then making it happen. Going back to school requires self-discipline, hard work and motivation. Like Trudy, you should never give up on your dreams.

Add to: