Student Spotlight

While sitting in a cubicle at an auto insurance company for the first 10 years of his professional career, Doug King dreamt about hitting the links and joked that he was going to leave the office life behind for the golf course. One day, he did just that — embarking on a 2-week road trip to golf courses on the East Coast and eventually finding Penn State's undergraduate certificate in turfgrass management to help make his dream job a reality.

"The great benefits and incredible vacation time at my job couldn't hold me there any longer," he said. "I was going to do what I had always wanted to do. I was going to become a golf course superintendent."

Doug started off working on the grounds crew and eventually worked his way up to second assistant superintendent. In this position, he provides support to the course superintendent and first assistant superintendent on everything from paying bills to overseeing pesticide application.

"I've been golfing for about fifteen years, so this just seemed like a natural transition," he said. "It's been six or seven years now, and I just keep going. I love it and really enjoy what I’m doing now."

Doug's Penn State online courses were not his first experience with this University. He had attended Penn State Altoona for 3 semesters before returning to his home state of Massachusetts. This time around, he's taking his education online.

"I can't say enough about how much I have learned. I am able to discuss subjects at hand with my boss and other professionals in the field with greater confidence and understanding," he said. "The education I am receiving will only help me reach my goal of becoming head superintendent of my own course."