Alumni Spotlight: Ronald Washington
To Iraq and Back, Ronald Washington Earns His Degree in Fire Science
Ronald Washington , Alumnus
Ronald Washington knew he wanted to earn a BS in Fire Science,
but needed to find a way to manage it while working as a civilian
contractor in Iraq. University of Maryland University College (UMUC)
offered the program and flexibility he needed.
Washington chose UMUC after researching several universities online. “It
seemed like a good fit for me,” he says. “The Web site was very
professional and in addition to fire science, the university offered
other courses of interest to me such as homeland security and emergency
preparedness. UMUC’s program also offered a good combination of class
work and hands-on training.”
Washington became interested in fire science working as a professional
firefighter for 12 years in his hometown of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and
doing part-time safety work. “A lot of the local petroleum and chemical
plants and refineries were hiring fire and safety professionals and
paying them good salaries,” Washington explains. “It’s also a field that
allows me to do what I enjoy—helping people.”
Scheduling time for school was challenging for Washington. He worked
12-hour shifts every day in Iraq as a health and safety coordinator,
conducting safety inspections, audits, assessments and safety meetings.
“I used every minute to my advantage,” he says. “I was blessed to have a
job that allowed me to sit behind a desk at various times throughout
the day. During my free time I did homework or studied for tests and
made phone calls to my wife and family back home.”
Washington returned home permanently from Iraq in November 2008 and
graduated from UMUC in May 2009. He is currently working as a lead
safety health and environmental representative for a large module
company in his hometown.
Washington is grateful to UMUC for everything it has done for him. “UMUC
has prepared me to advance in my profession,” he says. “The teachers
were all great; they were understanding of the hardships I faced working
12-hour shifts in Iraq.” He adds that his most memorable
accomplishments are completing the Fire Science Cooperative Education
Program (COOP), which allows UMUC students to apply classroom theory to
real-world professional projects, and WRTG 394 Advanced Business
Writing.
“Receiving my bachelor’s degree from UMUC has given me the confidence to
succeed in a competitive safety field,” says Washington. “I’m eligible
for promotion with my current employer or if I choose to change
companies, I have the credentials to do so. I have already recommended
UMUC to a lot of my friends and family. And, when I decide to return to
school for my master’s degree, UMUC will definitely be my first choice.”
