Unsatisfied with earning just course work, Knapick researched degree programs on the internet, where he discovered that UWP's MOE curriculum offered a program of study blending graduate-level technical course work with more general courses such as project management and design of experiments. Knapick was gratified to learn that he could transfer credits from some of his earlier course work and that he could continue to supplement his online work with on-campus classes at institutions in his area.

Knapick, who was one of the first students admitted in the MOE program in October 2000, says being a student in a newly established program wasn't always easy. The original software interface used for the online courses was rather cumbersome in his opinion, and in his first class (Advanced Control Theory with Dr. Momot) he discovered that he was the only student. The curriculum for some courses was still being developed, but he appreciated the individualized attention and the student-teacher interaction the courses offered. He was glad, however, when the class population grew and the online interface improved.

"Just showing up for class is not enough," Knapick says of online courses. While not having to travel to a campus and having a flexible schedule are certainly benefits, he notes that the online interface also compels students to interact with instructors and students to a greater degree than in most traditional courses. He says that he found that most of his fellow students were people like him:  "People with jobs, families, homes, kids, and other commitments who were nevertheless taking the time to learn something new.  Some wanted to make themselves more promote-able or complete their degrees sooner, but all shared a real enthusiasm for learning." 

Knapick advises new students to tackle the most difficult courses they can because this will lend more credibility to their degrees and show that they don't fear a good challenge. 

"At UWP I took a few courses in engineering that were outside the realm of my undergraduate course work and quite foreign to me," Knapick states. "I think that these courses have made me a more well-rounded engineer." Knapick was awarded the Master of Engineering degree from UW-Platteville in August 2002.

In April 2003, Knapick took the Fundamentals-of-Engineering examination and has just learned that he passed successfully. Although he spent a lot of time preparing for the exam during the winter and early spring, he says he definitely had a head start, thanks to the technical courses and financial management electives he took at UW-Platteville.  His next step is to take the professional engineering licensure exam.

Knapick currently works in Pearl River, New York, for the technical services group of Wyeth Vaccines as a senior validation specialist.  Continuing education will always be a part of his life because he believes that  "education definitely opens doors and keeps one in charge of his own destiny."