Colorado Tech Online Students and Alumni
Meet Kathi Basarab
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management
Whether U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kathi Basarab is performing electrical engineering on F/A-18 jets or reading to her son's preschool class, her time is equally precious. "Serving in the military is more than a full-time job, often requiring seventy-plus hours per week. With a husband and three small children at home as well, some find it amazing that I have had the time to complete a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree, in addition to being well on my way to earning an MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management. Colorado Tech Online has helped me turn my educational dreams into reality!"
Kathi joined the U.S. Marine Corps immediately after high school with a desire to serve her country. "My father has his PhD and is an educator. When I joined the Marine Corps right out of high school I think he was disappointed that I didn't go on to college."
With that in mind and like most adults, Kathi soon had other ambitions and set new goals for herself. "Six years later, while still on active duty, I decided it was time for me to earn a degree. I felt I had not yet reached the height of my potential. By that time, however, I already had one child and two more were on the way. While the Marine Corps offers adequate compensation and benefits to support my family, I wanted more. I wanted to show my family that I had not forgotten about college and prove to myself that I could still do it. Since it was already difficult juggling being a mom with the Marine Corps and deployments on a moments notice, online learning was the obvious solution for me."
Confident that continuing her education was the first-step toward her future, Kathi researched several online colleges. "I called the toll-free number for Colorado Tech Online and spoke several times with an Admissions Advisor who assured me that Colorado Tech Online was a good fit for my busy schedule. Enrollment was a fairly quick process. I was on my way to earning a college degree within a few weeks. Two years later, I have a Bachelor's degree!"
In the Marine Corps, like in any branch of the armed forces, earning a college degree can give you a competitive edge over people that do not have one. "Earning my degree aided me in receiving a promotion and a pay scale increase. Online learning and my courses through Colorado Tech Online have taught me a lot about organization, time-management and team-building skills. I have applied what I have learned toward managing a shift of thirty Marines in Mission Accomplishment, as well as in aspects of my everyday life."
Kathi's educational success did not come easy. In addition to having two more children while enrolled in the Bachelor's degree program, soon after she earned her degree Kathi sustained an injury while on active duty that threatened to end her military career. Once again she was forced to consider her options. And once again Colorado Tech Online was the option she chose. "After serving eight years in the Marine Corps, I would like to make it a lifetime career. However, when I was informed I will be processed for separation for an injury, I once again had to consider my experiences and think ahead to what I can do in my inevitable transition to civilian life. As a Sergeant, I have developed a love for helping my fellow Marines better their careers and increase their benefits, so they can improve their lives. That is how I decided that Human Resources would be a field that I would enjoy. Just as a degree earned through Colorado Tech Online would have helped me advance in my military career, I know it can help me in my civilian life. So, I have decided that pursuing a Master's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management through Colorado Tech Online is the best choice for me."
Choosing Colorado Tech Online's MBA degree program can put Kathi on her way toward a solid future and help her achieve her educational dreams. Combining her education through Colorado Tech Online with her military experience, however, can help her take her career to new levels. "I have served my country and now I want to be able to provide for my family when my time with the Marines comes to a close. Earning an MBA while still in the Marine Corps will help me make the transition back into civilian life easier by giving me a competitive edge before I retire from active duty. But more importantly, I can demonstrate some of the credentials that many Human Resource managers are looking for in today's job market – the ability to deal with adversity, the ability work in a team environment and the ability to learn. When I graduate this December I plan on finding a position as a Human Resource Generalist at a small to medium sized corporation where I can continue doing what I love, helping people."
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