David Believes His Business Administration Degree Fuels His Entrepreneurial Spirit

Life hasn’t always been easy for David W., “I suffered a seizure and stroke just two days after I was born, essentially killing off the right temporal lobe of my brain. Because of this, my ability to grasp complex tasks – like school assignments was extremely difficult and as a result I dropped out of high school and eventually community college,” he explains.

This major cognitive challenge didn’t deter David’s drive to excel in academics. “My aptitude for learning has always remained high. That is probably attributed to my parents, who have a real love of reading and learning. My father was a college professor and my mother a librarian. Both of them earned a Ph.D. in their areas of interest. A passion for education and critical thinking has been a part of my life from the very start,” he adds.

Prior to joining UoPeople, David studied political science at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Afterwards, he spent almost 23 years in the workforce, including 10 years working in the field of optometry as a certified optometric technician at leading optical companies.

With his vast experience and an understanding that higher education could provide him more earning potential, he decided to return to school. How did David discover UoPeople? It had actually been on his mind for a while. He found University of the People back in 2017 through a simple Google search. “I was looking for a good quality, low-cost online university that wouldn’t get in the way of my work schedule,” he says.

Currently, David works at Lombard Veterinary Hospital as a client services representative and spends his days off focused on coursework. He was able to provide some advice on how to juggle a busy schedule, “I spend my evenings and early mornings working on assignments with the goal of pacing myself day by day. My main objective is to avoid burnout and so far, I’ve been able to manage it,” he says.

David was immediately drawn to the business administration program because he felt that an Associate degree in Business Administration would help him to better understand the inner workings of company management and factors behind important decision making. “UoPeople’s business classes are thorough and detailed, giving me a solid introduction to the world of business management. The electives at UoPeople also provide one with a solid foundation in other areas. Combined, these courses have tremendously increased my chances for a successful future,” he says.

His interests also revolve around environmental protection and renewable energy issues. “Throughout my life, I’ve remained a steadfast believer in several environmental causes, such as the Sierra Club, a prominent, national environmental organization,” he adds.

In his down time, David spends time reading American history. He takes a keen interest in the American Revolution and the evolution of American democracy. David is also very active in politics. “I’m driven by the understanding that an active participant in a democracy must be reasonably educated and able to think outside of the box. It’s imperative,” he says sincerely.

David’s vision for the future is to be a librarian or a museum guide. He believes that his Associate’s degree in Business Administration will come in handy in any kind of organization. His other passion in life is to open a bookstore in his town, something he finds lacking where he lives. “I’m a passionate reader and I have an entrepreneurial spirit. I’d love to open a bookstore. My ultimate goal in life? Live modestly, read a lot, and live life to the fullest.”