Jordan Bard is learning pre-engineering at UWSP at Marshfield and likewise works as a peer tutor.
Marshfield residents Jordan Bard, an worker at Forte Opening Options, and Ben Lee, the CEO and president of Staab Development, each work in building-related industries, however additionally they share one other connection.
Each are non-traditional college students at UWSP at Marshfield, taking programs to finish their levels whereas working full-time. Bard is pursuing his Pre-Engineering Affiliate of Science (AS) diploma and Lee is incomes a Grasp of Enterprise Administration (MBA) diploma.
“I had a common need to make a change in my life,” stated Bard, who first attended the College of Mississippi then moved to Texas and alongside the Gulf Coast earlier than taking a job in Marshfield in 2017. “I knew that going again to varsity was all the time within the playing cards.”
He initially wished to take a couple of lessons to see how he would do, beginning with pre-calculus, important considering and an introductory engineering class. After incomes A’s, he determined to enroll within the pre-engineering program to finish the AS diploma. Bard’s experiences led him to tutoring different college students in important considering, math and chemistry on the campus’ Tutoring-Studying Heart.
For Lee, who labored his manner up at Staab for 21 years from supervisor to CEO, going again to highschool for his MBA was a option to stay present in enterprise administration. He additionally holds a level in civil engineering from Marquette College.
“I wished to get out of my bubble, expertise new concepts and meet new individuals,” he stated. “I wished to be taught new theories in administration and management and construct my resume and credentials.”
Ben Lee is working in the direction of incomes his MBA at UWSP at Marshfield whereas working full-time because the CEO and president of Staab Development.
Whereas he was apprehensive about taking over an MBA as an older pupil, he discovered reassurance in Adam Olson, director of the UWSP MBA program by the Sentry School of Business and Economics. “I linked with him rapidly, and he helped me see that there have been others like me taking lessons, who shared my story. That offered me.”
With one daughter in faculty and one other in highschool, Lee stated he had the time to strive one thing new. Along with his programs, he stated he gained a brand new appreciation for a way college students, together with his youngsters, are studying at present. Lee has on-line and in-person programs and is on campus one night time per week.
“I actually respect the hybrid side,” Lee stated. “I like that I can go to the Marshfield campus and be with different college students whereas additionally having on-line programs.”
Nearly instantly Lee discovered his lessons to be related to his profession, he stated. He’s loved studying about organizational wellness and neuroleadership, through which managers assist develop the emotional and bodily well being of their staff to assist them develop into extra engaged. He has additionally been in a position to share his on-the-job experiences along with his classmates.
“My diploma is enhancing what I already do, and I’m already making use of what I’ve discovered at my job,” he stated. “It’s been greater than I anticipated in a really optimistic manner. Don’t be afraid. If you wish to return to highschool, go for it.”
Bard additionally encourages different grownup learners to pursue their diploma at UWSP at Marshfield.
“The college have been supportive of my targets, from the primary dialog with Tutorial Advisor Jen Lowe to my tutoring supervisor, Ryan O’Leary,” Bard stated. “All of them present how a lot they need us to succeed and are keen to assist us get there.”
Bard will end his diploma this Could, then proceed with one other semester at Marshfield to start work towards a four-year diploma in environmental engineering previous to transferring to a different establishment. His profession targets embrace working in environmental reclamation, working to revive land that has been broken by human interplay.
“All of my lessons have been impactful, giving me perspective and serving to me outline who I’m and who I need to be.”
Study extra in regards to the diploma packages at UWSP at Marshfield here or contact Jen Lowe at jlowe@uwsp.edu.
Written by UW-Stevens Level
Hyperlink to unique story: https://www.uwsp.edu/news/uwsp-at-marshfield-working-adults25/
