As I always mention, pursuing a Master’s Degree was never a part of my original plan. It took landing a position that required a masters degree, while only having my bachelors, to push me into something I hadn’t originally imagined for myself. I knew, however, that I wanted to combine my passion for supporting students with my interest in technology and design, so I applied to the Master’s in Educational Technology (MAET) program at Michigan State University. Little did I know how transformative this journey would be, shaping not only my career but also my confidence, my outlook on educational practice, and my pride in my achievements. This program has become more than just a degree—it has redefined who I am as both a person and an educator.

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Overall Changes​

Throughout my journey in the MAET program, I’ve experienced immense growth, not only in my professional abilities but also in my personal development. This program has expanded my perspective and honed skills I hadn’t even realized I had, impacting how I approach my role in higher education and helping me find my purpose. As I reflect on the past year and a half, I recognize several key areas where my experiences in the program have truly transformed me—enhancing my confidence, refining my approach to assessing my work, and deepening my pride as a first-generation college student. These changes are more than just adjustments; they represent a new understanding of my potential and the impact I can have on those around me.

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Confidence

Being in a masters program has affected my confidence. Being someone with a bachelor's degree who was working with colleagues who had masters and doctoral degrees it made me feel more confident to know I was leveling up my education. I approached my work more confidently and felt more prepared. I have learned so much during the past year and a half that I know I have the educational knowledge and feel like I know what I’m talking about.

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I have become a resource at my institution and in my office for educational technology. Whether it be things that actually pertain to the work I’ve done or just fall into one or the other category I have been recommended as a voice and a resource. I have assisted coworkers with their classes, and I have created many digital presentations that have been used at events and training sessions.

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Assessing My Work

Each class I took during my masters program affected the way I looked at my job and myself as an educator. In most of my courses, I was the only person who was not teaching a course. This was a challenge throughout my program as I felt like I always had to think outside the box for each assignment. While others could work on their assignments based on their lesson plans or things they had implemented in their classrooms, I was creating lesson plans for the first time ever, implementing structure for my learners outside of a classroom, and constantly adapting.

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Working outside of my comfort zone allowed me to really take a look at what I do and see the value of the work I do with students. In July 2024, I even decided to make a change in my career and became and Academic Advisor and began assisting students with the process of registering for courses and transferring. I again had to adapt to how I worked on assignments, and how I was going to carry over what I have learned during my time here. It has been a great transition and I feel that my studies have allowed me to serve the students in my new role effectively.

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First Generational Pride and Opportunity
 

Being in a masters program has made me proud of the honor I have brought to my family as a first generation college student. Going to a community college in 2015 was the first time I truly felt this, but it has been exemplified the further I have gone in my education. Education has given me so many opportunities to make myself and my family proud and I have done things they have never imagined that would be possible. 

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I have won awards, like the Outstanding Entry-Level Professional of Michigan, while being a part of the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officials (GLACUHO). This was an honor to even be nominated for the years before, but once I was awarded this title, I was recognized by my organization, my department, the board of trustees and president of my institution, and even our Probate and Chief Judge for the county I live in.

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If I had not furthered my education, I truly don’t believe that this would have been possible. Being in a masters program has made me and my family very proud, and that makes me feel very good and excited for the future and all the things I will continue to do, and excel in, that will continue to make me and the people I love proud. 

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My Courses

The way the MAET program is structured itself has impacted me and my practice. The set up of the program changed the way I look at education, and gave me so many ideas and methods to use in my own practice. Things like ungrading, creations, and the sharetracker all impacted me immensely and are things I use in my everyday life with my learners. While this structure alone impacted me, there were several courses along the way that impacted me. I have gained something from each course I have taken in my program and will continue to, but there are a few that stick out to me.
 

CEP 810 Teaching for Understanding with Technology

CEP 810 was the first class I took in the program and I was amazed. Teaching for Understanding with Technology changed the way I approached learning with my students. I experienced ‘creations’ for the first time. I did things like making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a plate bowl and whisk to learn about TPACK and taught myself how to play acoustic guitar using only online resources to learn about networked learning. These creations changed what I knew about not only education but what I knew about online learning. It was so much more interactive than I ever thought it could be, and I have carried that with me throughout my journey since.

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CEP 812 Applying Educational Technology to Issues of Practice

CEP 812 changed the way I problem solve and how I react to challenges. It was the 3rd class I took in my program, and I loved each assignment. From making my first screencast, to working on my Wicked Problems project all semester I had fun trying new things and diving deep into the problems I faced. During but especially after this course, I started assessing all areas of struggle I was facing in my department at work. I couldn’t help but dive into these issues and look for solutions to make things better for not only myself but my students. 

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I ultimately ended up completely restructuring my institution's sign-in procedures for guests on campus. We had been doing everything on paper and it was creating significant problems not only on the student side but an administrative side. We ended up moving things digitally, making things easier for the students and staff members. Before CEP 812, I would have just kept things the way they are to be ‘easier’ but after CEP 812 I was craving productive change.

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CEP 820 Teaching and Learning Online

CEP 820 truly impacted me as a learner, educator, and person. This course taught me so much about connecting with and communicating learners online. I created so many materials that helped humanize the experience of online learning while also making things convenient and accessible for me and my students. During this course, I created a Student Learner Inventory that I still use today. This resource has helped me get to know my students and open up communication with them so they can get to know me before we even meet in person, if we do. This course continues to make me think about how I can make learning more humanized and accessible for my students. 

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Each course gave me new knowledge and also helped me tap into my previous knowledge. I used things I learned in previous classes to give myself the most well-rounded arguments and explanations. I took all of the articles I had read into account and I could tell that I was actually learning and able to apply what I had learned. I am thankful for each course I took during my time in my program and I will take something from each course with me into my future.

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Conclusion

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Looking back, I see how much I have changed, both professionally and personally, throughout my time in the MAET program. The courses and experiences have given me new tools and approaches that I use daily in my role as an academic advisor and as a resource to my colleagues. My confidence, adaptability, and sense of pride have grown in ways I didn’t know was possible. I’ve become more than just a first-generation student; I’m now a professional who contributes meaningfully to my field and my institution. This journey has solidified my commitment to education and technology and has shown me that, with perseverance and a willingness to learn, I can continue to achieve things I once thought were out of reach. I can’t wait to see what I will continue to do, and look forward to reaching my goals beyond graduation.