{"id":2614,"date":"2024-08-23T09:00:06","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T16:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2614"},"modified":"2024-08-23T09:21:12","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T16:21:12","slug":"actor-beau-mirchoff-love-of-science-earns-degree-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/actor-beau-mirchoff-love-of-science-earns-degree-online\/","title":{"rendered":"Actor Beau Mirchoff follows his ‘love of science,’ earns an Oregon State degree online"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fifteen years to complete a bachelor\u2019s degree is not advisable. I mean, even Van Wilder did it in seven. Long hours and a work schedule that fluctuates more than the tide is show business, so for a handful of years, this actor was unable to attend school full time.<\/p>\n

I enrolled as an English major taking a course or two each semester at various schools in California, but after years of that, I finally decided to follow my love of science, enroll online as an environmental sciences major at Oregon State University, and go to school full time. I\u2019ve taken classes at multiple schools with professors of all shapes and pedagogical methods, on campus and online, so I\u2019ve accumulated some insights into the modern age of academia, as well as into the pros and cons of receiving an education.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all heard the adage that knowledge is power. This is true, but it is much more than that. Knowledge enhances the lens through which you view the world; it perpetually pummels your ego into submission by the vast amount of knowledge before which you were utterly ignorant, like an ant mistaking his hill for the universe. Knowledge reveals the interconnectedness of all systems.<\/p>\n

Also, it\u2019s fun.<\/p>\n

Knowing everything is connected allows you to finally swap out your granddaddy\u2019s dusty transistor radio for the sleek full-color TV. Everything is brighter and more beautiful when you realize everything influences each other. The whales, the helium and your Aunt Doddy\u2019s goldfish Goldy are all connected. And when you know this, you become more mindful of your actions.<\/p>\n

\"Actor

Beau Mirchoff, shown here in an episode of TV’s “Now Apocalypse,” is an Oregon State University graduate. He earned his environmental sciences bachelor’s degree online. He has starred in a variety of films and TV series over the years, including MTV’s “Awkward” and ABC’s “Desperate Housewives.” (Photo by Richard Cartwright)<\/p><\/div>\n

But once you\u2019ve attained the knowledge-power, there is no turning back. Gone are the days of blissful ignorance. But in its place is not dreadful knowing; bliss is on the dinner table as well. You\u2019ll just have to excuse your reach and grab it, and maybe you\u2019ll finally have something of substance to offer between bites of that casserole.<\/p>\n

Many people say university is a waste of time and money because they can learn through books or YouTube. There is indeed learning to be had through those methods, but college equips you with way better ways to learn \u2014 you get much more in-depth knowledge, labs, projects, study groups, field work, and more.<\/p>\n

Moreover, you\u2019re in an environment conducive to learning. It is inspiring to be amongst peers striving for the same thing, even if you\u2019re learning online. You learn how to learn. You have access to primary literature, not only secondary sources. You learn to form your own conclusions. YouTube can be great, but it can also be absolute garbage. In university, you learn how to read primary literature and how to tell if something is not properly researched or cited.<\/p>\n

“<\/span>[T]he knowledge, insights and experiences I gained were worth every second. Oregon State is a great school with the resources and amenities to optimize your learning.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Again, this is power and something you will use repeatedly for the rest of your life. Unless you have the IQ of Richard Feynman meets Will Hunting from \u201cGood Will Hunting,\u201d good luck. There is just no way most people are going to learn calculus or high-level statistics while soaking in a bathtub. Attaining knowledge through higher education is the best way to learn.<\/p>\n

I had doubts about learning science online. I thought the labs would be lame and teaching myself differential calculus would be impossible. However, OSU\u2019s online classes are fantastic. If you\u2019re studying science, you receive lab kits and perform your labs at home. These labs are more rudimentary, but I found them very effective in their simplicity. Admittedly, these at-home labs require more work because you are bereft of lab partners (most of the time), but this forces you to learn the concepts without relying on a smart lab partner. I was in the field for my ecology work, learning how to monitor vegetation and identify plants, all as an Ecampus student.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, on-campus students must be on-site for their lectures and do not have the option of repeating those lessons. I took my lectures whenever I had time, and I could revisit them multiple times a week. The only thing I occasionally missed as an online student was the real-time class discussions, but the pros of online learning greatly outnumbered the cons, and the online group discussions were an adequate surrogate that forced me to write. I was able to work while going to school and I didn\u2019t waste time commuting to a campus.<\/p>\n

\n

Tell us your story<\/h3>\n

Write your own Oregon State Everywhere story by sharing the triumphs and challenges you experienced as an Ecampus student.<\/p>\n

Share your story<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Earning a degree is no joke. It requires an inordinate amount of time, work, and focus. However, the knowledge, insights and experiences I gained were worth every second. Oregon State is a great school with the resources and amenities to optimize your learning, and if you\u2019re thinking about going to school, you should do it because the time it takes to complete your degree will be gone in no time.<\/p>\n

I enrolled with Oregon State at the beginning of COVID, when many people were learning to bake banana bread. I got a degree instead. Bake banana bread after university \u2014 once you\u2019ve learned the chemistry of baking \u2014 and you\u2019ll enjoy it way more. You won\u2019t regret it.<\/p>\n

\n

Whether you’re at the beginning of your academic journey or have years of experience like Beau Mirchoff did, now is the right time to pursue your educational goals online with Oregon State University.<\/em><\/p>\n

Explore 100+ programs<\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span> 4<\/span> minute read<\/span><\/span>In his own words, actor Beau Mirchoff discusses his experience pursuing an environmental sciences bachelor’s degree online from Oregon State University \u2014\u00a0including lessons learned and some pearls of wisdom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":2613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[672,677,8],"tags":[205,146,544],"class_list":["post-2614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-learning-experience","category-students-and-alumni","category-students","tag-college-of-earth-ocean-and-atmospheric-sciences","tag-environmental-sciences","tag-osu-everywhere"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Beau-Mirchoff-800x450-1.jpg?fit=675%2C380&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-Ga","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2556,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/which-online-environmental-bachelors-degree-should-i-choose\/","url_meta":{"origin":2614,"position":0},"title":"Which environmental degree should I choose?","author":"Elena Moffet","date":"June 17, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Explore what makes each of Oregon State's environmental online bachelor's degrees unique and learn about the skills you'll gain when you enroll in a program online.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"an alpine lake with red leafed trees and mountains the background","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/News-CNS-MC-Environment-800x450-240529.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/News-CNS-MC-Environment-800x450-240529.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/News-CNS-MC-Environment-800x450-240529.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/News-CNS-MC-Environment-800x450-240529.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1210,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/zoology-online-bachelors-degree\/","url_meta":{"origin":2614,"position":1},"title":"Oregon State brings its zoology expertise online with first-of-its-kind bachelor\u2019s degree","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"June 17, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University has launched the nation\u2019s first\u00a0online bachelor\u2019s degree program in zoology, combining OSU's expertise in the life sciences with its industry-leading work in online education to provide students with a solid foundation in the biological sciences at all levels.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Beaver swimming","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Zoology-hero-image-1280x550.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Zoology-hero-image-1280x550.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Zoology-hero-image-1280x550.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Zoology-hero-image-1280x550.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Zoology-hero-image-1280x550.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1319,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/environmental-sciences-online-heath-blackmon\/","url_meta":{"origin":2614,"position":2},"title":"Oregon State Everywhere: \u2018My Ecampus degree gave me an edge\u2019","author":"Heath Blackmon","date":"January 17, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"\"The quality and the rigor of courses that I took at Ecampus were on par with any in-person class and prepared me for a future in science. Even though my classes were taken at a distance, the professors built learning activities that gave me firsthand experience in analyzing and interpreting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Heath Blackmon, Oregon State University Ecampus environmental sciences graduate and assistant professor at Texas A&M University","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Heath-Blackmon-744x478.jpg?fit=744%2C478&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Heath-Blackmon-744x478.jpg?fit=744%2C478&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Heath-Blackmon-744x478.jpg?fit=744%2C478&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Heath-Blackmon-744x478.jpg?fit=744%2C478&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2163,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/environmental-sciences-online-masters-kaitlin-thurman\/","url_meta":{"origin":2614,"position":3},"title":"Environmental sciences online master\u2019s program yields career rewards for graduate","author":"Tracy Scott","date":"November 9, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"When she retraces the path that led to her current role as an environmental analyst for local government, Kaitlin Thurman points to four ways Oregon State Ecampus and its environmental sciences master's program helped make her dream a reality.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kaitlin Thurman, a master's in environmental sciences graduate, wearing a cap and gown","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Kaitlin-Thurman-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Kaitlin-Thurman-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Kaitlin-Thurman-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Kaitlin-Thurman-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2557,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/explore-3-online-degrees-focused-on-animal-science-and-conservation\/","url_meta":{"origin":2614,"position":4},"title":"Which online animal science or conservation degree should I choose?","author":"Elena Moffet","date":"November 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State offers several bachelor's programs in conservation and animal sciences that you can earn online. 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