Stephen Douhne
BIT
MBA - Human Resource Management

Stephen Douhne, a son of two highly-educated schoolteachers, always dreamed of continuing his education and earning a Bachelor's degree. His dream, unfortunately, kept getting put on hold due to military service and contracting work that took him to six different countries, including Kuwait, Iraq, Korea and Uzbekistan (near Afghanistan). "Since there were no schools I could attend in a war zone, I looked online and found AIU Online. It was the answer to my prayers."

Stephen served on active duty in the United States Army for four years, where he learned various technical skills such as installing fiber optic networks and maintaining satellite communications networks. That led him to work with a major telecommunications company after leaving active duty, which in turn, led him to independent contracting work. "I was offered a position supporting U.S. Army telecommunications as a contractor. Next thing I knew I was in Kuwait and then Iraq supporting our troops with internet and telephone service via satellite telecommunications. I was very happy to do that but I still had my dream of getting a university degree."

Stephen chose to pursue his dream through AIU Online after speaking with an Admissions Advisor. "My advisor's assistance made the difference. She gave me enough personal attention to convince me she really cared. She showed me various degree programs and assisted me with financial aid available through the Army GI Bill and through my company. She considered my goals and made recommendations. She went above and beyond the call of duty, so to speak, and as a result of this I chose to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology through AIU Online."

Online learning through AIU Online had many benefits for Stephen. "When I started my degree program I was in Uzbekistan, going online in the middle of nowhere. Most of America was asleep in the middle of my day there. The flexibility offered at AIU Online was the biggest advantage for me. The interactive media enabled me to have more control of my courses. I could review the recorded sessions as many times as I needed to learn the material instead of getting one shot at it in a traditional class setting. Distance learning, moreover, helped me focus better on the reading and gave me time to collect my thoughts before asking questions. AIU Online also shipped my books to me via FedEx or the military's mail service, APO. That helped me a lot since I did not have a regular mailing address overseas. AIU Online is very military-friendly and is a great learning experience."

In fact, AIU Online was such a good experience for Stephen that he continued on to earn a MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management. Stephen is now the project leader of a $15 million satellite communications contract for the Department of Defense in which he manages 32 people. According to Stephen, "When you are not there to present yourself and showcase your skills, a degree carries a lot of weight. It can make your résumé stand out or get you noticed by your superiors. I was promoted over others who had more technical skills and expertise, but did not have a degree. When I combined my Master's degree concentration in human resources with my Bachelor's degree in IT, it opened the door to management for me."

The knowledge and skills Stephen acquired from his courses through AIU Online were immediately applicable to his career. "I knew very little about programming before my courses at AIU Online, now I know enough about it to understand the issues that the programmers in my staff bring to my attention. There is always a potential for conflict with a staff of 32. In my human resources courses I learned how to help others avoid conflict and deal with it when it arises. I acquired a very diverse set of skills that have made me a better manager. More importantly, my sense of accomplishment has given me more confidence and has earned me the respect of my peers."

Stephen's ultimate goal is to own his own business and work for himself, not in some far-away land, but closer to home and his family. "I am in the process of starting a small strip mall with a coffee shop as its centerpiece. I believe all the skills and knowledge I have gained through the military, AIU Online and my experience as a contractor will come together and make me successful in owning and operating a business." Stephen has some words of advice for prospective students. "Keep striving to achieve your goals, do not procrastinate and do not hesitate if you are thinking of enrolling. AIU Online has opened many new doors for me and it can do the same for you too!"

Back to Student/Alumni Profiles