Growing Up, My Family Instilled

¶ … growing up, my family instilled in me the importance of education. Thus, I have long realized that stagnancy of knowledge has to be one of the worst mistakes in life. It is essential that people continually improve themselves academically, not to be more intelligent or loftier than others. Rather, because learning makes us better individuals and, with hope, creates a better world for our children and others to come in the future.

Now, as a 44-year-old father, I am teaching my teenage son and daughter (?) this same lesson. For the past five years, I have worked diligently to receive my Associates Degree in Business from (school). In addition to working long, busy weeks with a great deal of responsibility and paperwork as a xxxx in retail management with Price Chopper, I found the time to complete the necessary coursework as well as fulfill a personal commitment to my wife, children and community. I feel proud of my accomplishments thus far and want to continue on this road in the future by pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.

Over the past 25 years, I have acquired a great deal of experience and skills in the retail business in such areas as communication, leadership, sales and marketing, human resources, finance and accounting. The Associates Degree provided me with additional expertise that I can apply to my everyday responsibilities in addition to use in team projects and toward ultimate company goals and objectives.

The world of business is becoming increasingly complex and competitive. In order to quickly respond to changing consumer needs and keep on the leading edge of technology, a business must continually transform and evolve. Otherwise, success will not be possible. A BA in Business will keep me up-to-date on industry changes and the means to enhance my contributions to Price Chopper.

Some of the courses that I expect to take as part of this degree include marketing, microeconomics, advanced accounting, management principles, legal environment, corporate finance, business ethics, diversity, business policy and organizational behavior in addition to general studies.

Living in the Upper New York State area, I have the opportunity to attend several colleges that offer a Bachelor's in Business Administration. Four of these schools are Albany State University, Pace University, Siena College and Empire State College.

One of the strongest points in Empire State College's favor is the Credit by Evaluation Program. Such a program is a major benefit to older individuals such as myself with so much on-the-job experience. Rather than reinventing the wheel and having to spend valuable time learning basics that I have spent years applying, I can use the time toward the acquisition of new skills and information. Empire State clearly recognizes how important it is to use each hour I have in the most productive way possible -- especially when I work approximately 60 hours a week in for my company.

It is a very personally rewarding to know that Empire also respects the fact that there are some areas in which I excel and may require only refresher courses if any studies at all. I did not see anything that compared to this Evaluation Program at the other schools noted.

Secondly, Empire State College is considerably more flexible than a typical college, because it is truly committed to meeting the specific educational needs of working adults. In order to accommodate my busy schedule, I will be able to take a full online program through the college. This is indeed an advantage, considering the number of hours I spend at work and my sincere commitment to my family's needs.

Both distance and campus education can be advantageous to students depending on their personal needs. Each student must decide which of these offer the most effective learning style based on personal traits and interests. For some individuals, Internet courses that let students learn at their own pace and review content until completely understood is the best method. Others learn best in an on-campus environment where they can be motivated by and involved with others in a traditional classroom setting.

Because of my individual learning style, working best on my own, but having the opportunity of input from others online when needed, and due to my time constraints, distance education is most advantageous.

Another positive aspect about Empire State College is its Guided independent study which, according to the College, is the main method in which most college students pursue their degrees. This gives each student not only the ability to learn online, but that extra support from college professors as an additional benefit. During the entire time that I attend Empire State College, I will be assured of communicating one-to-one with an individually assigned faculty member or mentor. Regardless of the years of experience I have on my own in a non-school setting, it will still be very helpful to have an individual personally to me to give the special guidance and support in all phases of my work at the College teaching, to be a liaison with the school and to providing academic counseling. This is the best of all worlds.