In 2015, Madison, Wisconsin resident, Tim Drexler, a delivery operations support manager at South Central Library System, began looking for a degree that would prepare him for a more technology-focused career. As a self-described “Evolving Data Scientist,” Tim knew an online program would work best for his busy schedule. He considered Madison Area Technical College, but it offered programs with in-person class requirements that didn’t fit into his life.
However, University of Wisconsin Flexible Option caught his eye, especially its 100% online Information Science and Technology (IST) bachelor’s degree. It felt like an attainable next step that worked with Tim’s goals and around his work/life schedule.
It took Tim only 13 months to graduate from the UW Flexible Option IST program with a UW-Milwaukee bachelor’s degree.
“I can definitely say that I wouldn’t have made it through the UW Flexible Option without (Success Coach) Danielle Stertz’s help,” Tim said. “She was a great advocate and was always there to answer questions. I had some tough moments in that program, and I wouldn’t have pulled through without her support.”
This educational milestone motivated Tim to consider pursuing a master’s degree in data science. In 2018, he enrolled into the 100% online UW Master of Science in Data Science program (UW MSDS).
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“UW Flexible Option was really good preparation for online learning in general,” Tim said. “I had experience within the learning system, and I knew how to motivate myself and manage my time, which are skills I continue to use in UW MSDS.”
Read Tim’s full story on the UW Master of Science in Data Science website.
Want to learn more about the UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology through UW Flexible Option? Talk with an enrollment adviser at 608-800-6762 or flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.