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HOMEADMISSIONS & FINANCIAL AIDDEGREE PROGRAMSVIRTUAL CAMPUSCONTACT USCLICK TO TALK September + October 2005, Issue 32
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Dodging Mortars While Getting a Degree
Army Sergeant Adam EricksonAn avid outdoorsman from Minnesota, Army Sergeant Adam Erickson doesn't have the time for his usual hobbies—hunting, ice fishing, bowling, and softball-while deployed in Iraq. (Not that Iraq has many opportunities for ice fishing anyway.) But Adam wanted to use the little spare time he has in the desert productively. He decided to take his Associate's degree and turn it into a Bachelor's degree.

"For someone in the military, an education is important for enlistment points and for a commission as an officer. I've already maxed out my retirement and enlistment points as far as schooling goes, but I feel you can never have enough schooling when you have the military paying for most of it," says Adam.

Adam originally signed on with the Army nine years ago for its schooling benefits. "From the beginning, I've felt that the more schooling I can gain, the better off I am. But it's a personal choice to take the burden of studying upon yourself to better your future."

So far, working eight-hour shifts seven days a week as a telecommunications team chief based at Camp Liberty in Baghdad and keeping up with studies doesn't seem to be too much of a burden for Adam. Only five classes shy of graduating, he is maintaining a 3.7 GPA.

"I won't say it's easy juggling a school schedule around shifts and incoming mortars here on base, but it is possible," he asserts. "When things come up, you just have to adjust fire and drive on with your mission and find time to finish up school work."

And while it sounds like Adam does little but work and study, he still finds time to see performers who play on base—Toby Keith, John Elway, Robin Williams—and hit the gym nearly every day.

Adam chose AIU Online not only because a 100 percent online degree was the only way for him to take classes from Iraq, but also because it offered the exact degree program he was looking for. "It fit perfectly with my career choice and my previous studies. And the fact that it only takes a little more than year to finish a Bachelor's degree is GREAT!"

Adam previously earned an Associate's degree in Web Design and Programming from South Central Technical College. Now, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication with a concentration in Digital Design from AIU Online.

Aside from the amount of paperwork required for financial aid, Adam has been happy with his choice of AIU Online. "All of the teachers have been great. They understand my circumstances and issues that arise and are always willing to help out no matter the situation. Kudos to all the teachers at AIU Online."

While Adam is looking forward to returning to his former job as a web developer, consultant, programmer and designer with a better degree, he is looking forward to marrying fiancé Stacy Mueller even more. As soon as Adam returns home, the two will be wed with Stacy's two children (Adam's new stepchildren), Christian and Laina, looking on.

"Between spending time with my lovely new family and enjoying the everyday freedom I used to take for granted, I can't wait to get back to Minnesota."

Instructor Quote I won't say it's easy juggling a school schedule around shifts and incoming mortars here on base, but it is possible. When things come up, you just have to adjust fire and drive on with your mission and find time to finish up school work.
—Adam Erickson
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