Eamon Radburn’s career in the fire service began in September 1993 when a friend encouraged him to volunteer with the Ridgefield Park Fire Department in New Jersey. Drawn to the opportunity to serve his community, Radburn quickly discovered a passion for firefighting.
“I wanted to do something meaningful and give back,” he said. “The excitement of the job, the responsibility, and the chance to help people in their time of need really spoke to me.”
What started as a proposition, evolved into a lifelong calling, leading him to a career as a professional firefighter.
Now, nearly 32 years later, Radburn still loves firefighting. In addition to his career, he has added another accomplishment to his resume: earning his bachelor’s degree from Columbia Southern University.
A Daunting Decision
“I graduated from high school in 1993 and had little interest in pursuing higher education at the time,” Radburn said. “Fast forward 30 years, and I found myself needing college credit to advance my career in the fire service.”
The idea of going back to school was daunting, but Radburn knew it was necessary. He admitted the most challenging part was finding the confidence to enroll.
“I was nervous and overwhelmed to say the least,” he said. “I had been out of high school for almost three decades, and I wasn’t sure if I could keep up with college-level coursework. I underestimated my own abilities and didn’t give myself enough credit for what I could accomplish.”
However, once he became a CSU student, he quickly realized he was not alone.
“I found out there were numerous resources available to help me succeed,” he said. “I initially took one or two classes…after completing my first courses, I gained confidence and decided to earn my degree.”
Learning Partners
Radburn, a firefighter with the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue in Virginia, was introduced to CSU through the department’s Learning Partnership with the university. This partnership not only provided him with insights from colleagues who had attended CSU, but also offered a tuition discount that helped ease the financial burden of higher education.
“Talking to my coworkers who were already enrolled made a huge difference,” Radburn said. “They reassured me that CSU’s program was manageable, even with a full-time job and family responsibilities. Hearing about their experiences gave me the confidence to move forward, and knowing I had a support system in place helped me stay motivated.”
“Cost is always a concern, so learning about the tuition discount was a huge benefit and made my decision to enroll much easier,” he said.
Gaining Confidence and New Perspectives
Radburn found that he gained more than just an academic credential. The experience strengthened his confidence, broadened his perspective through discussions with peers from across the country and introduced him to new skills.
“One of my favorite classes was English, which I never expected,” Radburn said. “Learning how to write more concisely and format documents correctly has had a direct impact on my career. My report writing and communication skills have improved significantly.”
Throughout his academic journey, Radburn was motivated by several factors, including his late mother.
“My primary motivation was to graduate for my mom,” he said. “She passed away in 2018 and didn’t get to see me walk across the stage, but I know she was there in my heart. On nights when I was tired or didn’t feel like doing coursework, I thought of her and how proud she would be.”
Radburn’s colleagues also encouraged him. While he knew a few fellow firefighters enrolled at CSU when he started, he later realized that many of his peers were also pursuing their degrees.
“It was comforting to be able to bounce questions off of them and share our experiences,” he said.
“Just Do It”
With his degree in fire administration now complete, Radburn is setting new professional goals. He hopes to advance through the ranks and eventually achieve the position of battalion chief. He also plans to continue his education by earning a master’s degree from CSU.
“I never thought I would go back to school, but I realized attaining my degree was an achievable goal,” he said. “CSU’s course delivery made it easier to stay on track. I would tell anyone on the fence about earning a degree—just do it.”
For Radburn, the biggest reward of his CSU experience is the pride of being a college graduate. His journey proves that it is never too late to pursue education and achieve lifelong goals.
“I underestimated my own abilities,” he said. “Looking back, I didn’t give myself enough credit for what I could accomplish. Now, I can say with confidence that earning my degree was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Disclaimer: These testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes.
CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
