Steve Slawin
Meet Steve Slawin
"I want to finish what I started," says Steve who returned to school to complete an associate's degree he started more than two decades ago.
His path was a circuitous one. After high school he started a degree in computer programming at Hillsborough Community College. But quickly found that he didn't really need a college degree to make a living.
He wasn't prompted to reconsider his education until very recently. He enrolled at St. Petersburg College on-line, and hopes to complete his associate's degree in general studies early in 2007.
A self-taught programmer, he has come quite far without a diploma hanging on the wall. "I don't put a lot of value in having a degree for the sake of a degree," declares the Florida resident.
His mother, who recently retired from a career in teaching that spanned more than 30 years, used to frequently invite her son to speak at career day. He was brought in to motivate and inspire the non-college bound, and so-called underachievers, in the classes. "I liked being an example for others."
Indeed, he was promoted several times, and held management positions in various industries without the benefit of a degree of any kind. He worked at a bank in a line position before seeking a promotion. He has been in management ever since. He has managed a computer retail franchise, a video store, internet operations at the county government level, and even a McDonald's.
The level of responsibility in his latest occupation, combined with shifts in management and the general professional climate of the new company prompted him to reconsider a college degree.
"I want to increase my value to the company," he says. Steve made it clear that he did not have a degree when he was hired into his current position. "The CIO didn't feel it was important."
However, he concedes, "In this organization there are those who do value a degree. [Not having one] won't be held against you. But a degree gives you an advantage over another candidate."
Fortunately his superiors and his staff have been very supportive and encouraging. His employer is reimbursing tuition costs, but not textbooks. He estimates the total cost of his degree to be around $3,500 to $4,000.
The responsibilities of running an intranet and networking group within a large credit union, plus household duties would have made it too difficult to earn a degree at a brick and mortar university.
If distance education had not been available, he says, "I would not have pursued my degree."
He has tried hard not to let schoolwork encroach on the time he likes to spend with his wife and daughters aged 13 and 14.
"At first my daughters were concerned that I wouldn't have enough time to help them with their schoolwork," he says. "Now they are proud of me."
"I want to set a good example for my children," he says of the value of formal education.
"Balancing work, family and school" has been his biggest challenge, he states. Everyone pitches in at home. "My wife maintains the house, my daughters care for the pets, I do all the grocery shopping."
He has found it simpler to keep the three areas of his life—work, family, and school--separate. Attempts to combine school and work, or school and family were unsuccessful.
"I'm responsible for hands-on system management of hardware. I have a staff of eight. We do have a monthly organized meeting, but I try to meet and keep up with status on everyone's work on an ongoing basis." That level of accessibility makes it difficult to focus on anything other than the job at hand.
"I took a test on-line once," he recalls. "Once or twice I've done work at the office. But I get interrupted too often." Now he is limited to occasionally catching up on reading assignments over the lunch hour.
He typically confines his studying to home. "Everyone in the house has their own laptop," he reports. Still he chooses to work after the rest of the family has retired for the evening, or on weekends when everyone else is engaged in other activities. He is careful not to let his schoolwork intrude too much on family life.
The flexibility of online learning ranks high on his list of the pros of online learning. "Being able to access my classes anywhere, any time is the easiest thing about it."
Profiles of Real Adult Learners Going Back to School Online
Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Steve, Associate's Degree in General Studies
The only unsatisfactory experience he has had with his online degree program, was the stark reality of having to drop a class. He had needed a science class with a lab. He enrolled in Human Anatomy and Physiology.
"I immediately determined it was way over my head," he says with a chuckle.
"I'd thought if might be tough. But the first assignment was clearly more involved than I would have the time to fulfill. The textbook was 2 ½ inches thick. I thought, ‘I can do it, but it's going to take way too much time.' "
He later realized that the course was geared toward students seeking a medical degree.
"I hit the withdraw button on the login system…[and] was instantly relieved upon making that decision." He was no worse for wear.
"It didn't go on my record and the tuition was refunded." He did learn an important lesson though. "Read the fine print," he says. "Now I look for the phrase ‘science class for those not pursuing a scientific degree.'"
Withdrawing from the class did delay his graduation schedule. He couldn't find another available class that would fulfill the requirement. He had hoped to be done by the end of the year, but will need the first term of 2007 to finish.
He's on a roll now and doesn't plan any more decades-long detours on his educational path.
After completing his associate's degree he hopes to start right away on his pursuit of a bachelor's degree in business, and after that will consider a master's degree.
He believes he has the traits of a good e-learner.
"I'm internally motivated and I have good time management skills. It is a comfortable medium for me. I've worked in the online area for 15 years plus."
Even a public speaking class was not daunting. Many students might have shied away from an online speech class. He was not intimidated. Early speeches were delivered via webcam with an audience of 5 other students and the instructor. The biggest project had to be given in front of a group. He wrote a speech on Central Florida theme parks and presented it at a Toastmasters Meeting. It was recorded and shipped to the instructor.
Overall he has been up for the challenges of online learning. He considers his classes at St. Petersburg more manageable than the two independent study courses he is taking from LSU: American Government and Algebra.
"Working without deadlines is a challenge. I tend to put that work off a lot," he admits.
He offers this piece of advice to potential online learners, "try and find out about an instructor before you enroll in a class. Then use that information."
"I have avoided certain instructors and sought out certain instructors based upon what I've learned at RateMyProfessor.com."
