Grad School Reflections

As part of my Capstone course, I have been asked to write a reflection of my time in graduate school. How will I use these experiences to make myself a better professional? What was my experience actually like? Below are the answers to those questions and more.

How has your thinking changed over your tenure in the program?

At the beginning of my tenure in this program, I was a fully online student, seven months after graduating with my bachelor's degree. I was a student leader, highly involved on campus and in my community, but with little experience as a professional. After teaching nearly 100 students in the past year, learning from two practicum experiences, and having access to the program's faculty, my thinking has drastically changed. I take more time to listen to others and ask more questions before reacting to a situation. My students come from diverse backgrounds, have different abilities and intelligences, and a multitude of dreams. My practicum internships have provided me with two very unique, very valuable experiences that have taught me how to effectively collaborate with people who have contrasting working and communication styles. I have also had access to some of the most intelligent and experienced mentors in the CSP office that have encouraged and motivated me to keep growing and moving forward. Overall, I think I am coming out of this program with way of thinking that allows me to adapt to the people around me and be open to their wisdom and individual realities.

What concerns/fears do you now have as you prepare to graduate?

My biggest concern now that I am preparing to graduate is the fear of the unknown. I have an amazing support system with my family, friends, and CSP family, but the idea that I do not have complete control over my future is very scary to me. And very exciting. It's a frightening exhilaration that inspires me to work harder, be resilient, and be more vulnerable.

What are some of the valuable lessons learned? What wisdom have you acquired as a result of your graduate experiences?

In my first practicum internship, my site host Allison Vatzlavick gave me this piece of advice: "In the first year of your job, you are learning how to do your job. In the second year, you start to feel like you are able to do your job. By the third year, you are actually good at your job." Since I tend to try and deliver quality and perfection, these words made me realize that making mistakes is acceptable and is just part of the learning process.

What would you do differently if given the opportunity?

If given the opportunity, I would have taken my time with this experience. Originally, I wanted to graduate as quickly as possible and created a degree program that would span a year and half. But I now that the end is near, I find myself wishing for one more semester with the CSP office, with Arkansas Tech University, and with my students in the classroom. I have absolutely enjoyed providing my students with the resources and education to succeed in college and watching them grow in such a short amount of time. I only hope that I have had a fraction of the impact on them that they have had on me.

What are 3 career-related goals you would like to accomplish within the next 5 years and what steps do you plan to take to reach those goals?

The first career-related goal that I would like to accomplish within the next five years would be presenting at a regional or national conference. I plan to find opportunities to collaborate with other professionals, develop innovative programming that meets student and institutional needs, and say "yes" when the opportunities are presented.

I would also like to beginning applying for doctorate programs within the next 4-5 years. Lifelong education is an aspect of student affairs that really attracted me to the field. In order to accomplish this goal, I will research programs (including at whichever institution I may work for) in order to find a one that meets my professional goals, offers a specialization I will be interested in, and is affordable.

My third career-related goal is to build a large, strong network within the field. I plan to attend conferences, work with others on campus, and stay connected with people I know from other institutions. Over and over, I have heard about how small the student affairs world is. I also know that there are many philosophies and perspectives that I have yet to learn. I hope that I can find people that will teach me and help me grow in this field.

Most beneficial courses completed in the program and why?

The courses that have impacted my experience teaching my college success courses have be Assessment, Counseling, and Student Development Theory. When creating lesson plans that worked with my teaching style, Assessment helped me develop presentations, activities, and workshops that provided students with a clear learning objective as well as methods for measuring their comprehension. As for Counseling, I used my helping skills constantly to facilitate discussions and to make connections with students during office hours. My roommates have also made comments to me that their bad weeks get much better after talking to me about them! How I react to each individual is also influenced by my understanding of Student Development Theory. When a student is not understanding a lesson or exhibits behaviors that other students find annoying, I am much more patient and adapt to their personality type, psycho-social status, or learning needs.

What skills/courses do you wish you would have gained in the program?

With technology being implemented more and more on campuses, I believe that a course is needed to teach students about various resources, trends, professional associations or conferences, and best practices for incorporating technology and social media into a student affairs practice. Students are beginning to expect us to meet them where they are at, and institutions value professionals that are competent in this area. Looking to the updated professional competencies proves that this is true.

What did you enjoy the most about your graduate experience?

The most enjoyable aspects of my graduate experience is two fold: Connecting with students and professionals on campus who have greatly impacted my philosophies and realizing how much I have grown in the last year and a half. I truly love this program and all the people associated with it. I have written countless papers, completed numerous article critiques and case studies, and discussed each topic with the inspiring new professionals in this program. The faculty have also been extremely encouraging; I am not sure how this experience would have ended had I not had Mrs. Jackson, Dr. Underwood, and Dr. Carter providing me with their support and guidance throughout this process. I truly feel like I have become a better person after being part of the College Student Personnel program.