Tom Hughes
MBA - Operations Management

Meet Tom Hughes: Retooling for the Civilian World

At 41, Tom Hughes retired from the Navy. He entered the civilian workforce with a tremendous amount of leadership experience, knowledge gained during his two decades specializing in the nuclear power field, and a Bachelor's degree he had earned after joining the Navy. Those credentials were enough to land Tom a job at a large corporation near his home in upstate New York. But Tom doesn't just want a job, he wants to be challenged and to rise through the ranks with his employer. To do this, he needs something more than what he currently has: he needs a Master's degree.

Tom is scheduled to graduate from AIU with his MBA with a concentration in Operations Management in March.

Now half-way through his program at AIU Online, Tom couldn't be happier with his MBA program. "Contrary to the 'on-line' stereotype, the AIU Online program is intensive, extensive, and requires significant dedicated time to effectively complete the requirements of each class. The assignments are challenging and on topic; group projects require coordination not found in the 'brick and mortar' setting. When I complete this program I will surely be proud of the accomplishment, knowing that I truly had to work hard to succeed."

When first looking at MBA programs, Tom did consider brick and mortar schools. "They never really interested me that much though. I didn't want to take two or three years to get my MBA and I never really found any programs that intrigued me. That, combined with the fact I'd have to go somewhere a few nights a week really made a more traditional school unappealing."

Tom knew that not all online programs were created equal however. He had been warned by a friend in human resources at his company that he should make sure to only go to an accredited school. Tom had also seen an online class his wife had taken through a local community college and was unimpressed. Tom's initial contact with AIU Online was encouraging however. He says it was his Admissions Advisor who really helped him decide that AIU was the right school; the continued service and support available has confirmed Tom made the right decision.

"From the initial entrance assistance to the ever ready technical and account assistance, AIU's staff are top notch. It is reassuring to know that if I ever need to talk to someone, a staff member is ready and eager to help."

Tom isn't the only one in his family to experience the helpfulness of AIU Online's staff. "After seeing firsthand how thorough AIU Online is, my wife has enrolled in an AABA program there. It was very pleasing to see that she got the same treatment throughout the admissions process that I did." Tom's wife starts her degree program in November.

It isn't just the service and staff at AIU Online that impresses Tom and his wife so much though. "The Virtual Campus is awesome! There are too many variables and services that are available to adequately or fairly single out any one specific thing as being the best. The weekly messages, tutorials, labs, and (online) library are exceptional resources students should feel lucky to have literally at their fingertips."

"AIU Online has one heck of a program that deserves to be recognized as an outstanding alternative to on-site college programs. The flexibility it offers me (and my wife and many other students) to pursue a degree when we might not otherwise be able to find the time to go to a local school is great. I recommend AIU Online to everyone I see."

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