Online Learner Profiles: Steve F.
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Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Steve F., M.A. in Educational Technology Leadership
His goal is to launch his own online school. He obviously knows a thing or two about higher education.
Meet Steve
Name: Steve Foerester
Age: 33
Marital Status: Married
Children: Four
Current Location: Washington, D.C.
Advice to Online Students: "I specifically chose programs where I am familiar with the material [though] that's a double edged sword."
School: George Washington University
Target: M.A. in Educational Technology Leadership, 2007
An enthusiastic student, Steve has attended more than a half dozen colleges. The 33-year old holds a bachelor's degree in Information Systems from Charter Oak State College, and is pursuing an online master's degree in Educational Technology Leadership through George Washington University. With plans to complete it by the end of the year, he already has designs on doctoral work.
“I'm looking exclusively at non-U.S. universities,” he says of his search for a doctoral program. “They're a better value and I'm interested in international education, particularly in the developing world.”
“Because of my work experience, a great deal of my coursework, even at the Master's level, has been covering things I already knew,” he explains.
“In a sense I've been doing this so that my credentials will catch up to the knowledge I already possess.”
He knows that it will be hard work, but understands that it is critical to his success.
Before he can realize his dream of marketing distance education to students in the developing world, he will first have to market himself. “By finishing advanced degrees, I'll have the training and academic credibility to move that project forward.”
Steve understands better than anyone the risks of overextending himself. The demands of being a husband, father, boss, employee and student took a toll, finally.
“I would've finished the master's in December 2006,” he volunteers. “But I bit off more than I could chew and failed a required course. It was the biggest setback I've had since I went back to school.”
“Definitely the hardest thing has been balancing work, school and family,” says the father of four. “I had been in jobs that were not as demanding. I had the opportunity at work to do some class work.”
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