After spending 12 years as a police officer, Tim started working in nuclear security at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station nearly six years ago.  The new position gave Tim the flexibility to spend more time with his growing family while still working as a part-time police officer.  However, Tim’s goal was to work in the operations division, which requires a degree.

With family obligations and living in a small rural community, Tim had to find an online degree program.  Initially, he enrolled in a different program only to find out that it wasn’t completely online.  He had to drop the program and was out $600.  Eventually, his wife found out about the EPCE-sponsored Nuclear Power Technology degree at Bismarck State College on the web.  He made a few phone calls and enrolled with the support of his employer.

Tim started the program slowly to see what it was like, and then picked up the pace. Half-way through the program, Tim and his wife welcomed a new baby to their family. Tim's supervisor allowed him to do some of his studying at work. His family was very understanding.  “My daughter had a habit of knocking on the door when I was in the middle of a test, so I had to kick them out at times.”

His advice to others considering the program was, “Don’t rush it.  Don’t try to overload yourself.  You really need to understand each course because they build on each other.”  Tim also believes that, “You can’t be afraid to ask questions.  I was always afraid, but I understood a lot more once I started asking questions.”

Currently, Tim is awaiting the arrival of a new baby and the opportunity to take the entrance exam for the operations division. “I was taught the knowledge to pass the operations entrance exam.  I am ready for it!”