practical vs. educational experience: what experienced professionals should consider when going back...

Practical vs. Educational Experience:

What Experienced Professionals Should Consider When Going Back to School

04/10/2023 2AWC Webinar: Practical vs. Educational Experience ...

Director of Faculty Development

18 years in Higher Education

4 years in industry and not-for-profit

18 years as a student

ABE Admissions Counselor

7+ years in Higher Education working with non-traditional students

20 years in workforce

Dr. Amber D. Marcu Courtney Grose

Center for Accelerated Learning (CAL) at Lincoln College-Normal


Considering going back to school?1. How to approach education,

internships, and core education-related experiences as an adult learner.

2. How to navigate the challenges of getting an education AFTER starting a life.

3. How to leverage your work experience in classroom.

Purpose and Objectives


education, internships, and core education-related experiences as an adult learner.

How to approach …


Why return to school? Career advancement Self-actualization Mastery or Specialization Improved opportunities Higher pay (sometimes) Networking Recognition

Education / Schooling


Where am I? (Current situation) What is my goal? (Desired situation) What marks progress?

Identify milestones What marks “the end” or success?

Individual freedom? Advancement? Modeling behavior? A “piece of paper”?

Perform a “gap analysis”


Current

Desired

Where am I? What is my goal?

Experience,Time

(seniority) Education,Knowledge,

Skills & Abilities,

Resources

Connections, Resources, Opportunity

What is required?


Andragogy (Knowles)

Transformational Learning (Mezirow)

Experiential Learning (Kolb)

Adulthood as Social Construction (Pogson & Tennant)

Adult Learning and Liberation (Freire)

Adult Learning as Constructive-Development Model (Kegan)

Know thyself as an Adult Learner

“Faculty are companions in the learning journey … True learning challenges the adult’s perception of self, community, and worldview.”


the challenges of getting an education AFTER starting a life.

How to navigate …


Sum of our experiences, successes, challenges and roles

Work-life balance Family support Employer support Finding long-term value in process

Degree/certificate is a “piece of paper”

Challenges of getting education AFTER starting a life


Mother Partner Sister Daughter Caregiver Volunteer Community member Employee Supervisor

My roles … My hobbies … Exercise Reading for pleasure Cooking/dinner

parties Traveling

Career focus is least of roles

Work-Life Balance


What do you perceive to be your primary role?

Poll


Absent from responsibilities – will they be O.K.?!

GUILT!

Family Support

Employer Support Flexible schedule Research programs that are a good fit

for my needs


What is the goal? More than just a “piece of paper” I want to make meaningful contributions!

Contribute to my industry Continue my education

Long-term value in process


Partner Caregiver Daughter Sister Friend

Employee Supervisor

My roles … My hobbies … Exercise/Athletics Reading for pleasure Cooking/dinner

parties Arts/Crafts Traveling

Graduate (Masters) Balance

All above rotated as 1st role.

School was always 2nd role.


Someone once said to me, “getting your Ph.D. is the most selfish thing you will ever do.”

They were right.

Graduate (Doctorate) Balance

Career/Partner/School shared 1st role.

School was also always 2nd role.


Cheerleaders Partner became head-of-household. But missed weddings, showers, & parties. Denied sister’s request to be her Maid-of-Honor.

Family & Friend Support

Employer Support Flexible schedule & tuition waiver! Researched programs that were a good

fit in interest, but not for my needs.


your work experience in classroom.

How to leverage …


21 million students enrolled.

You are NOT alone


21 million students enrolled. 8 million students are part-time.

You are NOT alone


21 million students enrolled. 8 million students are part-time. 57% of part-time students are female.

You are NOT alone


57% of part-time students are female.

That’s nearly 6 out of 10 part-time students!

All balancing work/life + school.

You are NOT alone


Think of a life experience you believe to be a success.

For 2 minutes, write:• How the success came about, and• Why you feel it was a success.

Your Strengths


Use your skills in and outside of the classroom: Rich work/life experience Problem-solving Understanding Observation Applied knowledge or theory Time management

Strengths you bring to learning


What is the end? There is no end, but there are

MILESTONES! Achieving balance Critical thinking/problem solving Time Management

Long-term value in education

…BETTER IN MY ROLES!


Assess “the gap”: Current vs. Desired

Identify challenges and supports Self-Assess: What kind of Learner are you?

Knowles, Mezirow, Kolb, Pogson and Tennant, Freire, Kegan, etc.

Research schools and programs Find a good fit. “Recognize that graduate school is a second

job.”

Best Practices for Success


Use these tips to ensure your success once you are committed to returning to school: Be a student 2nd. Attend an orientation session. Identify ALL costs. List ALL student services available to you. When in doubt, reach out.

Buddy-system. Find a mentor. Use a calendar. Make a list. Stay on track.

Recommendations


Director of Faculty Development

Center for Accelerated Learning

[email protected]

ABE Admissions Counselor

Accelerated Bridge to Education Program

[email protected]

Dr. Amber D. Marcu Courtney Grose

Thank YouVisit ABE in the Center for Accelerated Learning: http://abe.lincolncollege.edu/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://abe.lincolncollege.edu/


Brennan, S. (2010, September). An open letter to part-time graduate students, ProfHacker blog. Chronicle of Higher Education. http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/an-open-letter-to-part-time-graduate-students

Gomez, C. (2013, September). Return to college provides important lessons about how to help adults succeed. Recruiting and Retaining Adult Learners, 15(12).

Grose, C. (2013, November). My journey as an adult learner. CAP Connected, 11(3) newsletter.

National Center for Education Statistics. (2010). Total fall enrollment in degree-granting institutions, by attendance status, sex of student, and control of institution: Selected years, 1947 through 2010. http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d11/tables/dt11_198asp

References & Resources

http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/an-open-letter-to-part-time-graduate-students




http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d11/tables/dt11_198asp