DegreeInfo Success Stories

Well Done.

 

Bachelors in Computer Science @ GCUF - PAKISTAN

 

Just got the email from TESU. My B.S.O.L. is official!

The only downside is that I was really hoping to get my degree from TESC (as opposed to TESU) but I'm still happy to have yet another certificate to put on my wall. Probably time to start thinking seriously about my next step in graduate studies...

 

Congrats Neuhaus!

I'm a long time lurker of this forum. Just wanted to say thanks for all the insight provided by all the members here. I obtained my BS from Fort Hays at a distance because of some advice from this forum and it sent me down a wild and amazing road. Just a few weeks ago, I successfully defended my MS thesis at CU-Boulder after obtaining most of my degree at a distance.

 

Well, I finally did it! I completed my Ed.D at Walden University. Dissertation: "Perceptions of Air Force Civilians Regarding Participation in Nonresident Professional Military Education." It's been a long, hard road. There were many times when I thought I wouldn't get to this point, but, by the grace of God, I made it. I'm so happy!!!

:yup::yup::yup::yup::yup:

 

Fantastic, congratulations Dr. Hodge!

How did you like Walden?

 

Having completed Air Force PME nonresidentially, I'm a little intrigued by the topic--and the argument made that it is a topic worthy of research, plus the contribution it makes to the literature. I'll be looking for the dissertation when UMI/Proquest makes it available.

Congratulations on your achievement!

 

Thanks so much!

I think Walden is a good school. The academics were rigorous and the customer service was superb. I had no issues with my instructors, nor did I have any problems with the administrative staff. If anyone has any specific questions about Walden, please let me know!

 

Thanks so much! UMI/Proquest is currently making the dissertation discoverable. You should be able to access it soon.

Back in 2009, the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force disseminated a memo stating their expectation of AF civilians to complete nonresident PME as part of their foundational leadership development. However, civilian nonresident PME completion rates have remained modest. According to the 2013 statistics released by the AF Personnel Center, the AF-wide civilian completion rate was a little less than 10%. At the large installation to which I am assigned, the civilian nonresident PME completion rate is less than 5%. The completion rate at the installation to which I was assigned previously was less than 3%.

Sometime ago, the Brig Gen who commands our air base wing asked for suggestions on how civilian nonresident PME completion rates could be increased. No studies existed on this topic. Therefore, I examined perceptions of nonresident PME held by a small group of civilians assigned to the AETC Directorate of Manpower, Personnel, and Services.

My investigation culminated in a policy position paper that provided research-based recommendations for improving nonresident PME completion rates. These recommendations are based on major themes that emerged from the qualitative data I collected, as well as findings from other research that examined factors impacting employee participation in professional development activities across a myriad of occupations and industries. I will present my research to our local senior leaders in the near future.

After you read it, tell me what you think. Thanks!

 

Unless and until they make it a prerequisite for being selected to certain civilian grades, it won't be a factor. No hiring manager is going to give up a top selection because he/she didn't take a military course. Also, the material contained in PME is largely irrelevant to civilians. Sure, there are some elements of communication and leadership, and getting some info on military history, customs, and courtesies might be valuable, but there are WAY more efficient ways of doing it. This perspective comes from having completed Squadron Officer School by correspondence, SOS in residence, Marine Command and Staff by correspondence, and about a dozen years of doing leadership development at the managerial and executive levels for the civil service.

On the other hand, in order to make such a course mandatory for being selected into a particular grade and position, they will have to demonstrate how that prerequisite is a bona fide requirement. This is a tall order when, in many cases, they can't even make having a degree mandatory.

I'll look forward to whatever new insights into the question you've uncovered.

 

Rich, I appreciate your perspective, but right now I'd just like to rejoice with my family that I'm the first person in my family to complete a doctorate. You're welcome to read my dissertation and form any opinions you like.

Thanks!

Go Walden!! :banana:

 

Congratulations Eddie! It's quite an accomplishment.

 

Thanks so much!!

 

Yeah, my comments weren't meant to draw you into an argument. Not at all! I'm thrilled you did this research and equally thrilled you graduated with your doctorate. (I'm also a big fan of Walden, despite its for-profit status.)

But I have opinions on this matter not necessarily subject to your findings. (Although I'm utterly open to those findings' influence!) Having been an Air Force education specialist (SSgt), Air Force education and training officer (Capt), and education and training manager in the civil service (GS-15), plus having done a PhD in nontraditional higher education and the SPHR designation, I might have an informed perspective. That's what I shared. In no way was it meant to address research I haven't yet read.

Again, congratulations on both your contribution and your accomplishment. It is a wonderful thing.

 

I want to share one of my accomplishments! Yesterday I found out that I am a top 5 finalist for Penn Fosters 2016 "Grad of the Year!" I finished my A.S. in Criminal Justice and immediately got hired as a forensic adaptive skills instructor! Here's a link to my essay :https://community.pennfoster.edu/docs/DOC-65752

 

Love Hope...

Two of my children attended there!

 

I've recently completed my studies in international relations: MA international policy and diplomacy from Staffordshire University in the UK. I learned about this program from someone on this forum who was enrolled in it years ago. I really enjoyed it and it was exactly as it was described! I'm greatful I found this forum!

 

Excellent, congratulations!

Are you located in the UK, or were you an International student?

 

Thanks! I'm an international student, living in Canada. I never had to go to the UK, except for the optional graduation ceremony.

 

Congratulations! I love to hear these stories. How do you hope to use your new degree?