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Capella University
Blake Eaker
Network and systems manager
Class of 2011, bachelor’s degree in information technology
Capella University
With more than 15 years of experience in the information technology field, Blake Eaker had a wealth of working knowledge and held multiple nationally recognized certifications. Still, he felt that earning his bachelor’s degree would provide him with better career opportunities in the future. Researching nearly two dozen schools, Eaker’s initial inclination was to attend a traditional brick-and-mortar institution in his area, but eventually his inquiries led him to acknowledge the value of an online program.
“At first, I was a bit cautious about the idea of working toward an online degree,” admitted Eaker. “I decided it was best to call local and large city businesses and see what types of colleges, online or not, were represented in the positions that were most desirable for my future.” Much to Eaker’s surprise, many individuals in well-established IT positions had received their education through online programs.
Once Eaker decided to pursue online education, he began carefully comparing the different schools that offered programs in his area of interest. “I started networking through different social mediums and discussed the experiences and outcomes of many graduates,” explained Eaker. After receiving some underwhelming replies from alumni of one online school, who seemed to easily earn perfect grades, Eaker was pleasantly surprised by the caliber of Capella University’s graduates. “In my many conversations with Capella University graduates, I began to see well-educated replies,” said Eaker. “Even those same knowledgeable students did not have perfect grades in their classes. At that point, I saw that Capella University was a really tough school and the graduates they produced were well-equipped with strong technical skills and business sense.”
Eaker enrolled in Capella’s bachelor’s program in information technology in 2010. Eager to finish his degree as quickly as possible and confident in his time management skills, he took two courses at a time, double the normal course load, in addition to maintaining a full-time work schedule. “I have to admit the classes were extremely tough, and I can honestly say that I spent more time involved in each class than I would have in a typical college course,” said Eaker. “I spent the entire days of Saturday and Sunday working on my assignments throughout the terms. Weeknights were spent in the discussion areas and trying to keep up with all of the reading assignments.”
An organized individual by nature, Eaker excelled in the online environment and found his prior work experience tied in nicely to Capella’s curriculum, which focused on real-world problem-solving. Still, he found he was challenged on a regular basis. One particularly rigorous assignment required Eaker to complete an entire network infrastructure design. “I had to create an entire proposal for an actual business,” he explained. “It required me to perform on-site walk-throughs and discussions with many staff members to propose a solution to better improve their processes.”
Between transferring previous college credits and doubling up his course load, Eaker was able to finish his degree ahead of schedule, graduating in June of 2011. He currently works as the network and systems manager at a hospital, overseeing all technical and business aspects of the IT department. In his daily work, Eaker draws on his education and the skill set he was able to develop. “My education helped me become a more well-rounded individual and it also greatly improved my communication and presentation skills,” said Eaker. “It not only filled in the technical gaps that I was lacking, but it helped me see the big picture of how our department can set and change processes for improvement within the organization.”
For those considering online education, Eaker advised them to take the investment seriously. “I have taken a few courses at other colleges and the level of information and expectations of professors is much higher in online programs,” he said. “Online universities really expect for you to prove yourself.” Being prepared to complete all the assigned readings, properly cite sources, and stay motivated are all essential. “Online schools are all about self-teaching and time management,” Eaker emphasized. “Be dedicated and don’t cut corners.”
If students are willing to make these sacrifices to achieve their goals, then it is well worth the investment, according to Eaker, especially if they choose Capella University. “I think Capella is one of the best online schools because of its reputation and the actual expectation that businesses have for those graduates,” he said. “When I am paying for an education out of my own pocket, I expect to actually learn something, not just achieve a piece of paper. I can honestly say that I obtained more out of Capella University than I ever expected.”
