M.I.A.

What have I been doing? Where have I been the last two years? What are my plans after college? All the typical questions for the recent college grad…

In spring term 2016, I finished up my final year of collegiate softball. It was the end of a chapter that had lasted 10+ years. Because I transferred in to WOU my junior year, I was a term behind for graduation. I planned on finishing my undergraduate degree in the fall of 2016 and staying around to be a volunteer assistant for softball as well. Due to so unforeseen events taking place in the summer of 2016, I was presented with the opportunity to be a part-time assistant coach while finishing my degree. I then continued to coach the remainder of the season and school year. 

In the fall of 2017, I was offered with the chance to continue my education. I was lucky enough to pursue my graduate degree, while also partaking as a Graduate Assistant coach at Western Oregon University.  The past year and a half, I have been working part time as an assistant coach, while also being a full-time student. 

I am now proud to say, come the end of the 2019 winter term, I will finish my program and receive my Master of Science in Education for Information Technology. My initial question (and the question of many of my friends and family members) was, what will this degree do for me and my career of coaching. I also questioned if it was relative to my undergraduate of business. To answer both questions, after 5 terms of the program I know can confidently say it is extremely beneficial to coaching and….no, it is not relevant to business one bit. 

There are many different routes I can take with my degree in the future, a few options include:

1. I can be an Instructional Designer
2. I can use the skills learned in the program and incorporate technology into my coaching style and philosophy
3. I can showcase my skills, knowledge and abilities digitally, to my future employers

As of now, my plan is to finish the program this term. I will stay on the staff for WOU softball throughout the season and walk at graduation in June. 

Thanks!

Aly