Cohort certificate program leads Honda employee to pursue a master's

Harley Fuller, senior facilities engineer at Honda Development and Manufacturing of America, says the cohort format of his graduate certificate program gave him the confidence to take on the challenge and, later, pursue a full master's degree through Auburn Engineering Online. 

Why did you decide to join the Auburn/Honda cohort group?
Once I started working in the manufacturing industry, I realized I wanted to continue learning about subjects I could apply to my role. When I learned that Honda was partnering with Auburn for a Graduate Certificate in Manufacturing Systems, I knew it was a good match for me. Pursuing this as a cohort gave me the confidence to take the first step because I knew I wouldn't be doing it alone. 

Why did you decide to continue on from the graduate certificate to earn a master's degree? 
After taking my first couple of classes, I was hooked. I knew I wanted to continue learning more. Specifically, Lean Manufacturing has been my favorite subject to learn and apply.

What has your experience been like as an online graduate student?
It's been great taking classes online. It's the only way I can manage working toward a degree while also working full time. The flexibility is key!

How is this degree currently benefitting your career and how will it continue to in the future?
I have learned several methods to support my team at Honda, including Six Sigma, Lean, and Project Management. My role is heavily focused on project work, and I have gained several tools to help me run my projects more efficiently.