You've heard it before – I was in a rut, I needed something else to do, it was time to advance my career, etc.  But there I was, three years ago, in a cross roads in my career and family life.  Economic conditions caused the closure of the children’s agency that I was working for; my consulting work was dwindling as budgets dried up; and I was about to become an empty nester as my youngest was ready to graduate from high school and my oldest graduate from college.  One thought was to retire early; another, more powerful, was that my career wasn’t finished yet.  Obtaining a master’s degree and renewing my teaching certificate were always future goals, and I began to evaluate the direction I would take for the last portion of my career.  After 30 years, my interests still remain in the field of education and training, shared with a fascination for emerging computer technologies. 



A friend pointed me in the direction of MSU’s MAET program.  Upon reviewing an overview of the program, it appeared as though I had already fulfilled the requirements for some of the courses, yet others were new and piqued my interest.   This was one of those moments which confirmed my thoughts about enrolling: the MAET program would provide an ideal opportunity for me to combine my interests with a graduate level program that would help me advance in my career.



I submitted my application to the program in March, 2009, and since that time, I have been in awe at the growth in the use of Web 2.0 technologies, particularly the use of blogs and web-based learning.  Enrolling in the online program was initially just a convenience.  But over time, I began to experience other benefits: collaboration and sharing.  Fellow classmates were more open to online discussions, working together, and providing feedback.  I often thought that people hid behind their computers, and used that façade to remain anonymous.  But I experienced the opposite – all the positives and a frankness that might not reveal itself in a face-to-face environment.



Now, as a Curriculum and Project Lead for a training organization, this program has helped me advance my professional career.  I have renewed my teaching certificate, completed the requirements for the NP endorsement, and want to become involved in using technologies for learning in virtual environments and via mobile devices.  Retiring in that empty nest can wait!