NACTEL Program

The NACTEL Program successfully completed its 13^th year of operation.  Five hundred and ninety-two students pursuing either an AS or BS degree are currently registered in the program.  In May 2011, 95 students graduated with a BS in Telecommunications and 49 students completed an associate’s degree.

New this year is a Mobile Technologies tract within the AS offering.  A corresponding Mobile Technologies Certificate was also made available.

The NACTEL Board, consisting of individuals from AT&T, Verizon, CenturyLink, the IBEW and CWA, continue to be very supportive of the NACTEL program.  In fact, the NACTEL board recently signed a five-year contract with the University in order to ensure that the NACTEL program continues and thrives.  Here are some comments from recent NACTEL graduates:

Jovany Alvarez
Verizon, Field Tech
CWA Local 1101
New York, NY
B.S. – Telecommunications

One of the best parts of the NACTEL program for Jovanny was the interaction he had with his professors.  “They were so helpful,” he said.  “You could just e-mail them, and they were always there to help.  The classes really helped me understand my job better – in theory and also some things in the field, application-wise, said Jovanny.  It really helped me out.  I’ve been recommending it to a couple of friends at work now.”

Mike Anderson
Verizon, Field Tech
CWA Local 1101
New York, NY
A.S. – Networking Technologies

Mike really enjoyed the bonding aspect of working with other students online.  “Unlike at a traditional school where you might have one classmate you bond with when you’re online you can build a bond with many people through the discussion boards.”

Online learning has been a great way to accomplish my educational goals.

Scott Blauth
Verizon
Outside Plant Technician
IBEW Local 827
Hightstown, NJ
B.S. – Telecommunications

Scott earned his associates degree in Business Administration and it was at that same time his wife, Dolores, was working toward her nursing degree.  To continue his education, Scott chose the B.S. in Telecommunications at Pace University because it helped him follow a career path in Homeland Security.  “The ever changing world of technology and the heightened security of our country has opened many doors for a person who would consider this field,” Scott said.

Scott said that as an adult, online education has many benefits.  “I have attended a traditional college before and campus life is nice to try, but being able to work around family and work schedules was fantastic.  Scott was very pleased NACTEL’s online program at Pace University.  From the initial application process to the school to applying from graduation, my experience at Pace was one I will always remember.  This institution works with the student and keeps you on track to be successful.”

Earning my degree will open up a lot of avenues for me because telecom is a broad field.

Kelly Holland
AT&T
Service Representative for Credit and Collection
CWA local 4004
Detroit, MI
B.S. – Telecommunications

After earning her Associate’s degree in Telecommunications at Pace University through the NACTEL program, Kelly decided to continue on with Pace to earn her bachelor’s in telecommunications.  The online format of these programs fit her lifestyle because she was working full time while raising a teenage son.

It was easy because it was online and available to me as a working adult while having a teenager,” said Kelly.  “It was a difficult time going through his teen years while juggling school – you have to be attentive to what they’re going through.”

“But he was proud of what I was doing and it let him know he can succeed in life, even if it’s delayed until later in life,” she said.  “I’d prefer he do it sooner, actually, but the concept he learned was to never give up on what you can do.”

Earning this degree gives me a more well-rounded experience.  It really opens me up for more opportunities in this company.

Christopher Latty
AT&T
Administrative Manager, Records, Construction and Engineering
Saginaw, MI
A.S. Degree – Wireless Networking

Christopher is a busy guy at home.  He just got married in June 2011, has two children of his own from a previous relationship, and his wife has two children as well.  So, earning his degree online through the NACTEL program at Pace University was crucial.

“I had to be really disciplined and find a schedule that worked best for my family,” said Christopher.  “The NACTEL program gives you a lot of latitude in terms of letting you pick and choose times to study, so my school time didn’t have too much effect on my family.”

Christopher previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in Administration from Northwood University.  Once he joined At&T and saw the potential and the direction the company was headed, he thought it would be in his best interests to have a more technical background and get into the wireless realm.

Christopher said his degree taught him skills that helped him in his current work.  “I work hand-in-hand with the engineers, and now that I have a better grasp of the infrastructure, it just makes a lot of things click.”

This degree gives me a sense of completion, and now that I’ve started, I don’t want to quit.

Karl Peterson
Frontier
Construction Supervisor
IBEW Local 89
Snohomish, WA
B.S. – Telecommunications

Karl had been a cable splicer from 2006 to 2010 with IBEW Local 89.  It was through an IBEW newsletter that he learned about the NACTEL program at Pace.  Karl is very happy he earned his degree because it helped him gain a broader view of his world.

“I thought I knew fiber optics, until I started these classes,” said Karl.  “Now I have a much greater understanding of what goes on in my departments.”

He also knew earning his degree would mean better job security.  And with a family – a wife and two children – that was important.  His wife is also in school and taking online classes.  “There were a lot of sleepless nights at times, with a family and trying to stay on task in classes,” he admitted.

With this degree, I’ll be able to compete five years from now.

Jay Thomas
TDS Telecommunications
Analyst
Madison, WI
B.S. – Telecommunications

After receiving his A.S. in Telecommunications through the NACTEL program at Pace, Jay decided to keep going – he could easily roll his credits into NACTEL’s B.S. in Telecommunications and didn’t have to worry about transferring to another school.  He earned his B.S. in May 2011 and plans to continue on for an online master’s degree at Pace.

“When I started working, I figured I could get my next job without a degree, but after that, I knew I probably wouldn’t be promoted very easily,” said Jay.

He said his current position at TDS Communications requires a pretty high level of skill and earning his degree helped him get there.  “I think my degree helped a lot in terms of getting into a new job,” he said.  “On a personal level, you’re much better in an interview when you know you have the credentials to back it up.”