Colorado Tech Online Students and Alumni
Meet Barry Arnott
MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management
"Industrious" is a word created with Barry Arnott in mind. He began his impressive career in a Florida McDonald's, where he was promoted to trainer and eventually won a state award for top performance. Barry moved on to become a bank auditor, and then became the CEO of a group medical practice.
Barry then retreated to Quebec City and spent two-and-a-half years learning French and preparing for a project to set up an incubator in Northern Haiti. After nearly three years of devotion and hard work, his mission was cancelled.
The ever-resilient Barry forged ahead and, with a partner, launched a career coaching business. A family situation prompted relocation to the west coast, and the sale of his portion of the business.
In California, Barry attempted to launch his own career coaching company, however timing and the economy were uncooperative in his success. Struggling against an underperforming economy, Barry once again packed up and moved to West Virginia, where he obtained a customer service position at the Bureau of Public Debt for the U.S. Treasury department.
Most 60-year-olds would look back on such a vigorous career history, and contemplate retirement. But Barry has decided to revisit a career in Human Resources. Although he had already earned an MBA, he felt that he needed further education in his chosen field. "My goal is to move in the human resource side, which is where I started. The most important asset that anyone has is their human capital. I really believe that, and so I wanted a Master's degree."
Barry, who commutes 50 miles each way to work, was looking for a program that would work well with his active schedule. Aside from a full-time job, Barry manages real estate and is an active Boy Scout troop leader.
Barry decided to investigate online universities. "I looked around at different schools—there were a few that I wasn't impressed with. They seemed to be diploma mills. When I spoke to the advisors at Colorado Tech Online, they asked me to write a short dissertation on why I should be accepted. I looked at the accreditation, which is really good, and I thought I could do it at my own pace."
Barry enrolled in the Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management degree program through Colorado Tech Online in May, 2005. The fast pace of Colorado Tech Online stimulates Barry's active mind. "I like the way the courses are structured. This application is taking a knowledge base, and enhancing by researching it more and putting it into a real-life situation—like a case study. You get into it. I get really good grades because I get excited about the coursework, and it's hard to put the brakes on. The group studies I really enjoy because you start playing off of each other, and get into lively discussions, and you get wrapped up in it."
Barry should complete his program in September, 2006. He is excited about finishing his degree and moving on to the next phase of his life. It wouldn't be surprising if, one day, Barry decided to revisit Colorado Tech Online for a degree in an entirely new field.
"I never stop being hungry for knowledge, and I'll always be that way."
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