2011 OSU Ecampus graduates

Robert Gonzalez – One hurdle cleared; on to the next one

B.S. General Agriculture
Santa Maria, Calif.

What does completing your degree mean to you? How do you feel it will improve your life and career?
Completing my degree in general agriculture is a huge accomplishment. This degree adds a scholastic background to my years of agriculture work experience. I am now more confident and feel that I'm a more valuable resource to my current employer. The completion of my degree is a triumph that demonstrates that dedication and hard work pay off. This quality education has expanded my mind-set and has given me the right tools to tackle many of life's obstacles.

Why did you choose to complete your degree online through OSU Extended Campus? What did you like about this method of education?
After leaving the Marine Corps, I started to work full time. I wanted to continue my education, and I looked for an online school that offered a quality education and was military friendly. While doing an online search I found that Oregon State offered an online program in General Agriculture, I knew this was what I wanted to pursue.

The greatest part of completing my degree online through OSU Extended Campus is that my general agriculture degree is an actual degree offered at OSU. This degree is not an "online" degree but rather a degree that Oregon State offers on campus.

Did you have an instructor or advisor who was influential in helping you succeed as a distance student?
Since the moment I enrolled at OSU, my advisor at that time, Mr. Dan Jansen, was a big help. He always responded to my emails in a timely fashion and was always helpful in picking my classes. My current advisor, Ms. Sara Williams, has been a huge help as well. This type of dedication and service to students is something that I wasn't used to. At the junior college that I attended in California, I was treated just like a name on a list. At OSU, I felt that both my advisors genuinely cared about my educational needs and goals.

What will your Ecampus degree allow you to do that you were unable to do before?
My degree will allow me to pursue a pest control license from the state of California. By having a pest control license, I'm able to obtain employment as a pest control advisor in a local farming company. This will bring financial stability and will open new career opportunities. My ultimate goal is to open a custom farming company that offers pest control advising and labor resources to farmers.

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