Goal Reflection
The Few, the Proud…
…those that possess a Graduate Degree.
Although borrowing heavily from the U.S. Marine’s theme, this introduction fits well to individuals that have earned an advanced degree. Belonging to an elite and small group of people was one of three driving goals on why I applied to Michigan State for a Master’s Degree.
This original goal evolved when an instructor from one of my Bachelor’s classes at Northwood University challenged everyone in his class to consider taking the next steps to earn a graduate degree; for it places one into a small class of like people. He mentioned that a Master’s Degree is now viewed in the same way a Bachelor’s degree was viewed 20 years ago.
Reviewing the 2013 report from the US Census below, the percentage of Americans over the age of 25 with a Master’s degree is about 8.5%, less than half the rate of those with a Bachelor’s degree (see Table 1). I took this message to heart, and the desire for completing a Master’s Degree was established.
Table 1
US Census Report Link [MS Excel Format]: https://www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/education/data/cps/2013/Table%203.xlsx
US Census Report Link [Comma-Separated Value (CSV) Format]: https://www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/education/data/cps/2013/Table%203.csv
My second goal centered around the fact that I’ve been a huge Michigan State fan since I was young, and have long had a strong desire to graduate from MSU. But I wanted an MSU degree program that suited my technical background and experiences, and something that I could apply what I learned to my MSU employment position as a business analyst and technical writer for software users. I recognized a need to strengthen my understanding on the different ways people learn, how to use different technical delivery methods to effectively communicate information to end users, and best practices to analyze the success or failure of my communication methods.
After researching my options, the Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) was a great match, and I also discovered MSU has an extensive and proven reputation for providing some of the highest educational programs in the nation. Throughout this program I identified how others acquire and retain new information, and which instructional technologies best support their understanding and use of MSU business software that I work with. I was fortunate to be accepted into this program, and in hindsight this degree was the perfect choice for me.
Finally, I have an interest in online teaching, and currently this is still an unfulfilled goal. But there is an area within my larger MSU department that develops and supports many of the online classes here at the University. With my MAET degree I am now qualified if I want to move in that direction. I would also consider working as a technical integrator and liaison for a primary or secondary school, should the right opportunity arise. These are roles that before my MSU classes I would not have been properly prepared to follow.
In summary, I’m proud of the goals I have accomplished; but I also recognize there is much to learn. Not only around student instruction, but the continued introduction and evolution of technologies that directly (and through creative adaption) support deep learning and understanding. While I can’t solve every instructional issue that arises, today I am able to provide more effective suggestions on possible courses of action, and better prepared on where to research and recommend long term technology-based learning approaches and solutions.
Brian Jenks
June, 2014
June, 2014