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Mason Harris has had a busy first year working for the state of Ohio. The Union Education Trust helped make it a lot easier.
“While completing my master’s degree, I learned that I was capable of balancing far more in my life than I had ever imagined,” Harris, an Environmental Specialist 2 with the Ohio EPA, said. “This past year, I have juggled a new job and transitioning to the public sector, planning a wedding, and my coursework, among many other things.”
Harris started in this role in May 2022 and immediately began using his UET benefit. He participated in the UET Career Improvement Program – College Credit Reimbursement Program (CIP-CR) as he studied geological sciences at Ohio University. He earned his degree on May 5, 2023. He also got married that month!
UET made juggling those commitments easier, both with the financial assistance but also the personal support.
“I believe that the best feature of UET is the simplicity of the application process and the genuinely helpful and amazing people that work at the office,” Harris said. “Any time I had a question about a class, taxes, or the application, a representative from UET was always there to get me the information I needed over both phone and email.”
“They really helped to make it a positive experience for me, knowing that I could lean on their expertise when needed.”
Harris has been encouraging co-workers to use their UET benefits, pointing out that because of the variety of programs in UET, funding can be used prior to taking courses or as reimbursement afterwards.
“Being able to use UET funding has allowed my fiancé and me to plan our future together without having to consider repaying student loan debt from my graduate coursework,” Harris said. “I think it goes without saying that is a huge weight off our shoulders, and great reason for anyone to look into the many UET programs.”
For anyone considering continuing their education and using UET, Harris has several tips for success: “I highly suggest diligently mapping out your workload each week,” Harris said. “It sounds obvious, but I would have been lost without my plans, lists, and calendars.”
“Keep the reasons why you are in the courses front and center in your life, they make it all worthwhile,” he added.
An Ohio native, Harris has earned degrees from The Ohio State University and Ohio University. He was drawn to working for the Ohio EPA because he appreciates the natural world and environment and wants to protect it, he said.
And he’ll likely be participating in UET again soon!
“I have always known that I wanted to work in a role or industry where lifelong learning was necessary for success,” Harris said. “At an agency like the Ohio EPA, lifelong learning is crucial. Whether it is a rule change, new site, a new method to learn about in facilities or places that we regulate, or countless of other reasons, it seems like the opportunity to learn is always out there.”