How One Former Military Officer Used His Love Of Language To Explore A New Career Path

by BDG Studios

While most people may be looking to go back to school at some point, many have a hard time committing to it. For some, it’s the very real concern of not having enough time in the day or choosing the right program to study. For others, it's a matter of balancing classes in an online format with the responsibilities of starting a new family.

For Tim Bailey of Alexandria, Virginia, it was all of the above.

As a former officer with the Air Force, Bailey knew the value of broadening one’s horizons. He capitalized on this during his military service by specializing in linguistics. Bailey’s path back then involved him learning a few different languages, which he says opened his eyes to how he absorbed information.

“There's a lot to learning an entire language in a year, a year and a half. I knew how I learned best because I had gone through so much schooling, and I knew what didn't work for me.”

As he was transitioning from military to civilian life, Bailey put his study of language and the knowledge he gained in the military to use in guiding him in his career path. As his interest in different languages evolved, it grew to include computing languages, a development that would impact the shape of his career.

Bailey’s new passion led him to study software engineering. “I did quite a bit of research just on what online programs were available for the direction I wanted to go in software engineering. I was working full-time...and then of course, later throwing a baby on top of that, there was just not a lot of time.”

On a co-worker’s recommendation, he looked into the STEM programs offered online at Arizona State University and applied to the Bachelor of Science in software engineering program.

Bailey worked with enrollment coaches to help him navigate the application and enrollment process as well as success coaches, who offered guidance and support while he was enrolled in his classes. “They really worked with me in ensuring I was prepared for it, ensuring I had the requisites to be successful in the courses.”

For Bailey, one huge benefit of studying software engineering in an online format was the course’s many flexibilities.

“I could pace [out the course load] as I needed to. When I had the time, I could watch the lectures. I would often listen to lectures just on my commute to and from work.”

Bailey found ASU’s course design, resources, and faculty to be of the highest caliber, especially for his field. He would eventually become a teacher’s assistant, which further enriched his experience as he got more satisfaction from being able to help other students with any challenges they would run into during courses.

He considers his TA duties all part of paying it forward for the time his professors took with him earlier in the program. “The tools are there and just having the TAs in classes, along with the professor, was super helpful.”

Being able to be there for his fellow students really made an impact on Bailey as he earned his degree. “I really love helping people out. I could help bridge that gap between what I had learned as a student, and what's being shown to them from the lectures, and connect the dots for them.”

Being in the program has also fueled Bailey to continue his educational path even further, and imbued a new confidence in him to do so.

“I'll be going for a master's in the fall. I couldn't have imagined it five years ago really. I felt engaged. I enjoyed what I was doing. I enjoyed learning. I enjoyed the experience. I enjoyed the community.”

For Bailey, earning a STEM degree online at ASU was the right choice due to passionate and involved faculty as well as their innovative approach to learning online. “I had the opportunity to get involved with the community [and faculty] that I don't think I would've been able to otherwise in a different program. I appreciate the way ASU has diverged from that traditional online model, I don't think I would've had that opportunity elsewhere.”