Times, They Are a Changing
To be honest, when starting the Masters of Arts in Education (MAED) program through Michigan State University (MSU), I didn’t have clearly defined goals for myself. Part of me wanted to start the program hoping that by the time I finished it, I would be able to use it for pursuing a college coaching position. In most cases to be a college head coach it is necessary to have a Master’s degree, so I figured why not? Oh how times have changed since then!
Since starting my program last May (2014), my life goals have shifted drastically. At the time my sole goal was to become a full-time college lacrosse coach, no matter what it took. However, priorities shifted, and spending time chasing my dream was taking a toll on my personal life. I decided what was really important was being close to loved ones and friends, and that a career change was eminent. I wanted a house for my fiancé and I, a new car, things a struggling lacrosse coach can’t afford. My father gave me some great advice about switching my focus, “lacrosse can always be your hobby, it can always be a part of your life, find a way to make a living and let lacrosse be what you do for fun”. This change in focus immediately led me to apply for teaching jobs and fortunately I secured one that August as a Physical Education and Health teacher at brand new high school.
With my new teaching job, I was able to buy my first house, a new car, and accomplish the many short term goals I had, while coaching lacrosse in the evening to satisfy my obsession. These events then led me to create new goals for myself and for the use of my master’s program. I now want to use my Master’s to further my career as a school teacher and possibly as an administrator. I have looked into possibly getting my Michigan Administrator’s Certificate, or possibly a doctorate in education degree. Just one year ago I started this program in hopes to become a college lacrosse coach, and now I finish it in hopes to become a school administrator. It’s funny how life can change so drastically in such a short period of time. Lacrosse is still a big part of my life and I’m using my newly received Graduate Certificate in Coaching from MSU to become a better coach.
My new long term goals are to become a school administrator, to continue coaching lacrosse in my free time, and to possibly pursue an advanced education degree. While my goals have definitely changed, one thing that hasn’t changed is that my Master’s degree through MSU has set helped me achieve my old goals, and has set me up for success in achieving my new goals.
