Beyond the Books - Fred Lowe

Summary

Fred, a former Army diesel technician and recovery specialist, shares his journey from active military duty to civilian life, transitioning through various careers and education. After serving nine years and traveling extensively, Fred worked in customer support at Pensky Truck Leasing, where he honed his interpersonal skills. Seeking further education, he attended Armstrong University and later South University, before enrolling in Walsh's School of Business. Despite challenges with the shift to online learning due to COVID-19, Fred persevered, applying his military discipline to his studies. Now in his final semester, he reflects on his experiences, the importance of time management, and his future plans, which include exploring market research and possibly opening an audio engineering studio.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Fred's educational journey began with 9 years of active duty in the Army, followed by a transition into diesel technology and recovery specialist roles.
• 🚀 After leaving the military, Fred worked at Penske Truck Leasing, where he developed customer support skills and faced the challenges of career progression.
• 🌟 Fred's transition from military to civilian life involved adapting his interpersonal skills to a less structured and more customer-focused environment.
• 📚 Fred initially attended Armstrong University (now Georgia Southern) for rehabilitation sciences but later shifted his focus to business.
• 🏫 He then enrolled at South University in Savannah, Georgia, for a business program, which was influenced by a conversation with a pharmacy tech he met while driving for Uber.
• 📈 The COVID-19 pandemic led to a restructuring of educational programs, which initially caused Fred to take a hiatus from school and explore other interests like music.
• 🎵 Fred's return to Michigan and further education was influenced by the support of his VR rep and the benefits of the GI Bill, which he used to pursue a business degree.
• 🌐 At Walsh, Fred appreciated the flexibility of both virtual and on-ground classes, which catered to his needs as a working professional.
• 📝 Fred's experience with team projects and real-world assignments at Walsh helped him transition from a diesel technician to a marketing professional.
• 🚀 Fred's future plans include potentially returning to school for audio engineering to open his own studio and exploring market research, which aligns with his interest in psychology and consumer behavior.

Q & A

What was Fred's role in the Army?

Fred served as a diesel technician and a recovery specialist in the Army.

Where did Fred travel during his military service?

Fred traveled to Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, and various places within the United States during his service.

What was Fred's experience like working at Penske Truck Leasing?

Fred had a positive experience at Penske, where he worked for about three years, enhancing his customer support skills and making many friends.

Why did Fred decide to transition from a diesel technician to pursuing a business degree?

Fred realized he enjoyed problem-solving not only through hands-on work but also through strategic thinking and communication, which led him to explore business education.

Which university did Fred first attend for his undergraduate studies?

Fred first attended Armstrong University, now known as Georgia Southern, where he studied rehabilitation sciences.

How did Fred's experience with Uber lead to his decision to pursue a business degree?

Fred met a pharmacy tech student who introduced him to South University's business program, which he found appealing and decided to enroll in.

What was the impact of COVID-19 on Fred's education at South University?

COVID-19 led to a complete shift to online classes at South University, which accelerated the course timeline and required Fred to adapt to a new learning format.

What did Fred do during his hiatus from school due to COVID-19?

During his hiatus, Fred explored his interest in music and recording, enjoying the free time he had available.

Why did Fred choose to attend Walsh College for his graduate studies?

Fred chose Walsh College because of its prestige, the recommendation of a VA representative, and its focus on practical, real-world business applications.

What is Fred's favorite aspect of his graduate classes at Walsh College?

Fred appreciates the focus on quality over quantity in assignments, the real-world relevance of the coursework, and the flexibility of class formats at Walsh College.

What are Fred's future plans after graduating from Walsh College?

Fred is considering going back to school for audio engineering to open his own studio and is also interested in market research due to its connection with psychology and data analytics.