From then to now: A reflection
Katie Hughes
Katie Hughes
In 2010, I decided I wanted to return to school. I had finished my undergrad degree in physical education in 2008 and life had changed a lot since then. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI, I went to Calvin College. Shortly after graduation, I moved to Tulsa, OK and still live here now. My husband and I were both working and life was busy, but I missed being in school! There were a handful of reasons on why I wanted to return to school, and in the spring of 2011 I made it happen. When I originally submitted my goals during the application process, they resembled the following themes:
Lifelong learning - It almost felt like there was a void when I wasn't a student. I wanted to return to school to learn again. I had become one of those people that actually liked to be in school! I accepted it with gladness and yearned for the knowledge.
Professional development - I know that earning my degree with an emphasis in Postsecondary Leadership would be beneficial for my career. Working in the administrative side of a college allowed me to utilize my passions to work with students and utilize my organizational strengths. I want a degree to push me in these areas, keep me motivated, and teach me new things. I want to be not only a better employee for my company, but a better leader to my team and students.
Master's is the new Bachelor's - In thinking long term, who knows what careers will require or even look like. Will more jobs be requiring a bachelors degree? A lot of people are continuing their education and with our nation's push on education, I want to make sure I stay with the pack. I don't know what my career path will look like, but I do know that I want the education behind me to take me where I need to go.
Two and a half years later, having worked full time and taking classes, my degree is almost earned and wrapping up. In looking back over my goals from the beginning, I can truly say that the goal that sticks out to me the most is my passion for lifelong learning. When work got long and class got tough, I still enjoyed the content. Even if the grade wasn't where I wanted it to be, I felt accomplished in knowing that I was learning and getting the most out of my degree. I was reminded that learning can take place in any environment, so while traditional education is coming to a close, I still have a lot of learning left to do.
Lifelong learning - It almost felt like there was a void when I wasn't a student. I wanted to return to school to learn again. I had become one of those people that actually liked to be in school! I accepted it with gladness and yearned for the knowledge.
Professional development - I know that earning my degree with an emphasis in Postsecondary Leadership would be beneficial for my career. Working in the administrative side of a college allowed me to utilize my passions to work with students and utilize my organizational strengths. I want a degree to push me in these areas, keep me motivated, and teach me new things. I want to be not only a better employee for my company, but a better leader to my team and students.
Master's is the new Bachelor's - In thinking long term, who knows what careers will require or even look like. Will more jobs be requiring a bachelors degree? A lot of people are continuing their education and with our nation's push on education, I want to make sure I stay with the pack. I don't know what my career path will look like, but I do know that I want the education behind me to take me where I need to go.
Two and a half years later, having worked full time and taking classes, my degree is almost earned and wrapping up. In looking back over my goals from the beginning, I can truly say that the goal that sticks out to me the most is my passion for lifelong learning. When work got long and class got tough, I still enjoyed the content. Even if the grade wasn't where I wanted it to be, I felt accomplished in knowing that I was learning and getting the most out of my degree. I was reminded that learning can take place in any environment, so while traditional education is coming to a close, I still have a lot of learning left to do.