Don Palmer
Meet Don Palmer
After Don attended Tarrant County College and earned his undergraduate certificate of completion in computer information systems with an emphasis in network administration, he decided to take his education a step further.
"At the time I was looking for a career change from information technology and I thought a Criminal Justice degree would help me do that. As it turns out, I was right," says Don, 28, of Texas, who graduated from Ashworth College with an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice.
Currently, he is a federal law enforcement officer, holding the rank of staff sergeant, in which he supervises others.
In November, he will receive his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Southwestern College, a liberal arts college located in Winfield, Kansas.
We talked to Don about striking a balance between work and school, and why distance learning was the right choice for him.
Why did you decide to go with distance learning?
Initially I didn't think that I would be able to go back to school because of the screwy work schedule I had. Working in law enforcement is a 24/7/365 job in which I may have to work any time, day, night, holiday, weekend, etc. It would be impossible for me to maintain my job and go to school on campus.
I discovered a book by Dr. John Bear called "Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning" and it really opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities.
Without the ability to earn my degree via distance learning, I don't think I could have done it. I chose distance learning because of necessity.
How do you manage work/school/personal life?
Managing my time is very difficult, I feel like I miss out on a lot of stuff because it seems that I am continually doing homework. When my friends are out for a beer, I'm doing homework, when my wife and friends go to a concert, I'm doing homework. The toughest part is making a personal schedule and sticking to it.
If I want a day off, I have to schedule one, so that I know what I have to do on the days that I am studying. Last-minute plans do not exist in my world at this time and the hardest thing for me to do is say "no" because I've committed that time to doing something else.
However, getting off schedule can be very stressful; a couple of times I have gone off and had a good time and had to do a lot of extra work at the last minute to make up for it. When that happens I start to burn out quicker, my grades go down and my stress level soars, so I recommend making a schedule and sticking to it like your life depends on it.
How are you paying for your education?
Tuition reimbursement from my employer, financial aid, savings—and I paid for some as I went for some portions.
What is your biggest challenge as a distance learning student?
Saying "no" to other distractions around me and keeping on task.
What is the best thing about distance learning?
The best thing about distance learning is the convenience, I can study anytime, day or night so long as I meet my deadlines.
And the worst?
The worst thing can vary. For instance, if you are with a school with poor student support and can't get any help via email or phone, then the worst thing about distance learning can be poor customer/student support. Student support makes or breaks a school in my book.
Otherwise, if you have a great school, the hardest thing about distance learning is keeping yourself motivated to keep going. It is a lot of work, some of it very difficult and you will spend hundreds of hours doing it for no immediate, tangible benefit but you have to keep a big picture perspective and keep moving on.
What did you learn from distance learning for your Associate's degree?
My Associate's degree was helpful in obtaining a promotion, but the knowledge I gained from the degree process is really what has been invaluable.
Earning a degree via distance learning has taught me the importance of the ability to communicate well through writing whether through email, memo, research paper, etc. Learning the ability to communicate effectively through writing has probably be the single biggest asset I have gained through distance education and it is something I use every day.
A degree may help you get a job or a promotion, but what you learned while earning that degree is what will keep that job and what you will use everyday.
From start to finish, about how long did it take you to complete your degree?
For the Associate of Science degree, it took me about 2 ½ years. Distance learning does not always make for a shortcut.
How much did it cost you?
The associate's degree was approximately $6,000, give or take. The bachelors degree price is somewhat skewed because I briefly attended Kaplan University, headquartered in New York, which is a bit more expensive than Southwestern College, but I would say that counting the $6,000 Ashworth College cost me, I spent in the neighborhood of $21,000 to $25,000, excluding book costs.
How did your employer view your online associate's degree?
Exactly the same as a campus-based degree.
Do you have any advice for prospective students about distance learning?
Make a schedule for yourself and keep it. If you don't, you will dangle in the breeze, you'll never know what to do or when or when your work is expected, your grades will suffer, you will suffer and your family and friends will suffer.
Without a schedule you will fall behind, your stress level will go through the roof and you may even lose the desire to keep working towards your degree. Make a schedule and stick to it.
If you are considering an online education, pick the school that is right for you. Don't choose a school because they have a great football team or because you know of a famous celebrity who went there. Choose a school that has the curriculum and student support you need.
Student support is the single most important aspect of online learning, without the ability to call someone or email a question, your experience can quickly turn sour. Make sure that the school you choose has excellent student support.
Also, you have to realize that online learning is not a shortcut. I have met many people who started a program thinking it was a quick or easy way to a degree only to become overwhelmed and quit a short time later.
Online is online, nothing more, nothing less. All of the coursework and expectations are still there as for any campus-based student, so be ready to work.
