In the Beginning...          

 

              I applied to Michigan State University’s Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program back in the fall of 2013. Back then my goals were vague yet earnest. Having graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education, I originally had the plan to teach. That, unfortunately, didn’t work out. In 2013 I found myself employed at a community college. Working for a postsecondary institution I was inspired by the many ways I could still impact students’ lives without being in a classroom. I wanted to take this inspiration and turn it into something greater, something I could put on paper for the world to see as proof of my eagerness to learn and, in turn, use that knowledge to better myself and the people and students around me. This led me to the decision to go back to school and earn my master's. So while I had no clear cut goal in mind, I knew I wanted to get out there and learn more about the world of education, especially with a concentration on leadership and adult learning. With this knowledge I was hoping to become more marketable, opening doors that would have been otherwise closed. Earning more money has never been the goal, only to maximize my capabilities so that my personality, my strengths, and knowledge are being utilized to their highest potential.

 

Now...

                Currently, my goals are to take what I’ve learned and use it as such that I can better the community college I work for. I’m hoping to get promoted somewhere down the line and utilize the many important things I’ve learned throughout my education at Michigan State University. While my previous goals were vague, there now seems to be a more defined feel to them. Pretty soon I will be on the other side of earning my master's which will mean I am officially ready to put it to use. That is exciting (and perhaps a bit intimidating!)  Just like in my admissions application I referenced the various career opportunities that might be available to someone with their Master of Arts in Education, this still rings true today. I am still not tying myself to any particular position but instead keeping my options open, but perhaps more importantly, my mind open.

 

And Still...

                As one can see my goals have not changed, only further solidified themselves. The time and energy spent throughout the last few years while in this program have only further proved to myself that what I am capable of has no limits. I am still as passionate as ever about education, only more so. In this MAED program I’ve been fortunate enough to learn about adult learning, leadership, and diversity, among many other topics. This program and the success I’ve had throughout only confirm my initial goal of wanting to maximize my potential. There is no doubt in my mind that I have the strengths and capabilities to have a positive impact on students’ lives at the community college level, whether I’m a Technician, Staff Assistant, Manager, or Director. With this master's, I have paved the way to what I’m hoping to be many open doors along the way.