An as-told-to interview with Tracy Price
When Tracy Price first considered going back to school, he saw himself as "just a grunt"—a manual laborer with no college experience. One day, while at work on the roadside, Price made the bold decision to pursue a degree in cybersecurity from Champlain College Online. This journey, which he describes as transformative, challenged his perceptions of his own capabilities and opened up new career possibilities. "It's been a journey of growth, both in my skills and in my self-belief," he says.
In this interview, Price shares his insights into online education, balancing work and study, and the challenges of returning to school after a 30-year-long gap. He tells us in his own words how he overcame self-doubt, navigated the complexities of online learning, and ultimately transformed from a self-described "grunt" to a cybersecurity graduate, challenging traditional ideas of career trajectories and online learning. Here's what Price had to say:
Taking the first step
Starting was my biggest achievement, easily. I had never gone to college other than some trade schools—minor electrical, firefighting, stuff like that—but nothing from a college perspective. So that was the biggest challenge: just starting.
Champlain College made it easy. I filled out a very simple questionnaire at work under our continuing education program, and someone called me from the college within 10 or 15 minutes. I was actually stunned. I really didn't expect it and wasn't quite prepared when the gentleman called. He said, "We've got this," and explained my options. Turns out Champlain College had a partnership worked out with my company, which made pursuing a degree easy and affordable.
Facing the unknown
Having never been to college, I didn't understand the makeup, the matrix of what you would have to learn, the courses you would have to take, and things of that nature. I had no concept what 120 credit hours meant. And for some reason, I thought, "Well, I guess I'll finish this in six weeks?" Well, no, turns out it's a four-year degree, and here I am graduating four years later.
After that initial conversation with the admissions counselor, I went home to my wife and said, "Hey, I'm going to go to college," I was almost expecting her to say, "Have you lost your mind?" But she didn't. She said, "Just do it. Just go ahead and do it." That was a big game-changer. It gave me a little bit of confidence, knowing she had my back, she was going to support me, and that I could move forward.
The realities of college life
While I started my degree with a lot of enthusiasm, I began to struggle a little, especially with some of the computer-based stuff. I didn't understand the learning management system to start with, but I got help from student advisors and instructors. I didn't know what an APA-formatted paper was—I'm 30 years removed from high school after all! That's a large gap year!
But once you begin to figure these things out—and it takes a little time—things get easier. You set yourself a schedule. In my case, I would start studying at 4 a.m., do two or three hours of homework, and then go to work. And during the day at work, I would have in mind what I was going to do with my course load when I got home.
My top tips for success as an online student
- Just take that first step—Starting was my biggest achievement, easily. Don't be afraid to begin, even if you're not sure about everything.
- Set yourself a schedule—In my case, I would start at 4 a.m., do two or three hours of homework, and go to work. Find a routine that works for you.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help—I got help from student advisors and instructors when I was struggling. That's what they're there for.
- Break big tasks down into smaller chunks—Get the easy tasks out of the way, and if there's a big task due soon, like a paper, peck away at it over a number of days rather than trying to cram it all into one study session.
- Lean on your friends and family—My wife would leave little notes around the house, in my wallet, and in my lunchbox. They would say things like, "I love you" and "Just keep at it!" Those things made a difference, and that's what kept me going.
The future is within reach
What did I learn about myself by taking these college courses? That I wasn't as dumb as I thought I was. Thirty years is a large gap between high school and college. I am now in my second semester of the master's program in Digital Forensics—the knowledge I'm gaining and the personal connections I'm making with other students is making a serious impact on my learning, and my life in general!
My experience at Champlain College has given me the opportunity to pivot and use something other than my hands to earn a living. It has taught me to consider the way in which I show up. I can think through things, I can process things, and I can be someone else, other than just a grunt. I have the ability to go out and do something else because this college has allowed me to do that.
My academic journey has shown me that the future is within reach. It doesn't matter how old you are or how long you've been out of school. If you're willing to put in the work and lean on your support system, you can transform your life. I've gone from seeing myself as just a grunt to becoming a cybersecurity graduate. And let me tell you, the view from here is pretty good.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity
Are you inspired by Tracy's journey? Champlain College Online offers a range of programs designed for modern learners, including the online cybersecurity bachelor's degree that transformed Tracy's career.
Whether you're looking to switch fields, advance in your current role, or simply expand your knowledge, there's an online program that can fit your needs and schedule.
