Mastering his way to a better future

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachiah Roberson
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The path to earning a Master's Degree can be a long and difficult one, often spanning numerous years to accomplish.

However, Staff Sgt. Peter Burke, 319th Contracting Flight contract specialist, earned not one but two Master's Degrees in a mere 16 months.

Burke has a Master's Degree in Business Administration in Accounting which was completed in May of 2009 and a Master of Science in Acquisition and Contract Management that he completed in December 2013.

He decided before even joining the military that he would strive to earn his high level education certification at all costs, and he has proven so.

"At first I just wanted to sharpen my accounting skills so I decided to complete the MBA program," said Burke. "I studied business because I knew it would always be in demand, I made a calculated decision that would affect my life forever."

For the programs Burke was enrolled in, typically the completion time exceeds three years, nothing close to what he finished it in. The main factors in his fast pace mindset was determination and devotion along with many sacrifices which were difficult, but not impossible.

"I was working the overnight shift at the Flight kitchen and was able to take care of most of the work throughout the days," said Burke. "I had to juggle and be very efficient and effective with my time management skills, it was hard work and my social life did struggle, but it was worth it."

Burke even had to concentrate on school and a temporary duty assignment at the same time at one point in his career. He wasn't truly as confident as he wanted to be in the first half of his courses, but the true confidence arrived when he was far enough into the course to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"I always felt like quitting just before the halfway mark, but once that was reached it gave me a confidence boost knowing I was halfway through the program," Burke said.

He intends to use his degrees to enhance his abilities in the contracting career field. He feels both degrees will play huge roles in his future performance.

"The MBA will allow me to gain better knowledge of contracting from a business perspective, and the MS will enable me to become more knowledgeable on the contracting process from start to finish," said Burke.

Displaying what is possible with educational enhancement while working in the Air Force, Burke hopes to leave a small but mighty message to people on the fence about starting school while in a military career.

"If I can give advice for anyone wanting to increase their level of education, it is to set realistic goals and figure out where you want to be in the next two, five or 10 years," said Burke.