Master of Reflection
I’ve just completed the final semester in my graduate program at the University of Tennessee, and I have a head full of thoughts about it. And no, to answer your question, this isn’t part of an assignment.
Look at my cap, isn’t it neat?
Details-
Program: Master of Science
Major: Communication and Information
Concentration: Strategic & Digital Communication
Why this one?
This concentration offers courses from each of the four schools within the College of Communication and Information. The schools focus on advertising and public relations, communication studies, journalism and media, and information sciences. The concentration is designed to basically be a “choose your own adventure” where you can take any of the offered courses with no restrictions- you just have to accumulate the required amount of hours. Oh, and it’s completely online.
Why, in general?
Frankly, my BS felt like bs. While I put in ALL the work, I still felt like I cut corners. I was “supposed” to graduate with my bachelor’s in early childhood education and a Florida teaching certificate with a PreK-3 endorsement. However, the summer before my fall internship was about to start, I was offered the Director position at the preschool I was working at. I was only two semesters away from graduation, but this seemed like an experience I shouldn’t pass up. I contacted the department head to let them know of my career change, and put my degree on hold.
My preschool lobby, pre-glow up (2020)
A couple years later, I received a postcard in the mail that was advertising a new program at the university. It seemed too good to be true. I reached out for more information and met with an advisor. She explained that with my course history, all I had to do was take two online classes to meet the requirements for this new program! It was honestly a dream come true. I re-enrolled at the university, signed up for those two classes, and a few months later, I had officially completed my Bachelor of Integrative General Studies with a minor in Early Childhood Development and Education. While this opened some very important doors for me, it wasn’t a diploma I wanted to hang on my wall. Considering my AA was also in general studies, it really just made me feel like I had no direction.
So why now?
I’d spent the majority of my academic and professional careers focusing on early childhood education. I’d taught in infant and toddler classrooms, studied child development, and managed a preschool of more than eighty children. I had just been hired to use my experiences and knowledge to coach childcare administrators on the best practices to promote quality care in their programs.
Ultimately, I wanted something I could hang on the wall that I could be proud of. We had just moved to Tennessee, and I had just started my coaching position. I was experiencing a bit of imposter syndrome in my new role, and on a whim, began researching graduate programs. I realize that doesn’t make much sense- I’m not entirely sure why one led to another. As a kid, I wanted to go to the University of Tennessee, so I really focused there during my search. I didn’t have a specific goal in mind, I just wanted to know what was being offered.
I looked at the education tracks that were being offered, but none of them interested me. It’s not that I felt like I knew everything there was to know, it’s just that there wasn’t anywhere I was interested in going with the information. I wasn’t interested in going back into the classroom, and I didn’t want to be a principal, so I felt like that wasn’t the path I needed to take.
A cotton-headed tamarin I created for my graphic design certificate
I’d always had a passion and interest in design, and even toured a couple of art schools during my senior year of high school. In recent years, I’d played around with designing websites, and have repeatedly found reasons to create flyers, handouts, or other digital products. Two summers ago, I even completed an online graphic design course just for fun! With all that in mind, when I came across the Strategic & Digital Communication program at the University of Tennessee, I was drawn to one class specifically, INSC 589: Web Design. After what feels like very little consideration for the bigger picture, I submitted my application, and was accepted into the S&DC program.
Was it worth it?
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this program, and am so happy I took this leap. I’ve learned more about social media than I ever cared to, and learned that I have absolutely no interest in becoming a social media manager or content creator. I’m creative, but I’m not that kind of creative…
Ultimately, I’m walking away with three favorite courses:
INSC 589: Web Design — I’m SO RELIEVED to have loved this course. I had prepared myself for a bad experience, just in case, so I wouldn’t be too disappointed. We worked on a group project the entire semester, which is usually terrible news. However, it was the best group project I’d ever experienced. Jeff and Erik were so much fun, and I couldn’t have asked for better guys to have worked with. Our final project was to design a Wordpress website, using code. As a SquareSpace girlie, this was intimidating. However, the three of us collaborated together to create a Marvel website we could all be proud of. Fun note: during one of our Zoom meetings, I was explaining the different “main” Marvel characters. I mentioned Hawkeye, and Erik, who was unfamiliar with the Marvel Universe, says “Wait, there’s a HOT GUY in Marvel??” Great time.
CMST 554: Organizational Communication, Strategic Leadership, and Culture — This mouthful of a course was surprisingly really enjoyable. When it began, I was afraid it was just going to be a lot of boring reading assignments. What it ended up being, while still technically a bunch of reading assignments, was incredibly insightful. This course went hand-in-hand with my current coaching position. It talked about leadership styles, onboarding procedures, workplace dynamics, and so much more. I took so many notes during this class, and saved every file the instructor provided, with the intention of creating my own training for childcare administrators based on the information.
INSC 525: Information Architecture — This was one of the two courses I took during my last semester at UT. I’m happy that it worked out that way, because now I get to leave this program on a high note. During this course, we chose one website that we felt had room for improvement. I won’t mention it specifically here, but I chose one that’s extremely relevant to my current position. During the semester, piece by piece, we worked on a pitch to the company to redesign their website. I learned what information architecture is, and that I’m really passionate about it. While web design has been a continued interest of mine, it’s really the information architecture piece that I enjoy. This class taught me about sitemaps and wireframes, organization and navigation structures, and that the most important part of a site isn’t just how it looks. It’s been such a good semester!
What’s next?
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that I’m not a five-year-plan type of girl. 2020 Jill did not anticipate going to grad school. Heck, 2025 Jill still can’t really believe she went to grad school. From the beginning of this program, I’ve kept the same stance- everything I’m learning can be applied to operating a childcare program. It’s never been about what’s next. The focus was always improving where I’m at.
I no longer have imposter syndrome. I’m confident in my abilities to not only meet, but exceed expectations in my position. I’ve gained valuable skills during this program. I redid my husband’s website to reflect the things I learned. My perspective towards designs has become even more detail-oriented, and I’m more sensitive to the overall user experience.
Anywho
Why’d I write all this?
Who’s going to read this?
I don’t know, and it really doesn’t matter. I’ve put time, energy, and a lot of money into this program, and it feels almost irresponsible to just shut my laptop after hitting that final “submit,” and have that be the end of it.
To close this, I’ll quote one of my favorite authors and creators of good things, Brad Montague; “With a growth mindset, there’s no end to what someone might be able to do. It’s the idea that we can always be learning and advancing, in every area of our lives. A tough patch is not an automatic failure; it’s a challenge. We just have to be willing to grow.”
Thanks for being here.
