My Life, a Journey of Learning

This is my final paper for my Multiple Disciplinary Studies class.  

Susan Fullmer

MDS 300

12/11/2015

Reflections: My Life, a Journey of Learning

     I have worked as a licensed practical nurse for the past 33 years in many areas of health care.  Along the way I grew rather bored with nursing so when my son was old enough, I went back to school and became a licensed massage therapist.  It was a dream come true to own my own business doing energy work, energy readings, and massage.  After 13 years I closed my private practice due to health issues.  I then returned to nursing, but this time to mental health where I worked as a psychiatric nurse case manager and teacher.  After 10 years in mental health, I was again ready for a change, so I worked as an Equal Opportunity Employment Specialist in a hospital.  I had never done this kind of work before, but I really enjoyed it.  This experience set the stage and desire to go back to school and get a degree so that I could have more choices in the non-nursing work world.  

     When I found the Multidisciplinary Studies Program, I felt that it had been designed just for me.  I plan to graduate with certificates in Leadership and Human Relations, and Dispute Resolution.  I first interviewed Dr. S who is my Foundations of Leadership 325 class professor.  This was an easy choice as he is an excellent teacher.  But more importantly, I wanted to get a better understanding of leadership in order to determine if I should indeed, seek a leadership certificate with my degree.  I have always been what you might call a “natural leader”, but does that translate into a good idea for a degree plan?  After this interview, I knew I was on the right track!

     He also recommended I study Conflict Management along with Leadership, which is why I am now incorporating a second certificate in Dispute Resolution.  I have experience in this subject, and I believe it will be a natural compliment to my leadership studies. 

     When I asked Dr. S how his credentials helped him obtain his current job he said, "The simple answer is that you need certain credentials to hold certain positions.  I would imagine that most everyone who has my position in the United States has a Master’s degree, and I would estimate that the vast majority hold a PhD as well.  The more nuanced answer has to do with capacity building.  I believe I’m good at my job because I understand the landscape of higher education, the function of a university and the leadership of people, and how it all fits together.  All of that helped me obtain my current job because I was pretty good at my last one.  And I was good at my last job because I understood how things fit together." 

     My second interview was more of a whim.  I met professor C. last summer when I took her UF 100 class, The History and Future of Education.  I interviewed her because of a class I will be taking from her this coming spring term called, Non Fiction Writing.  I have only discovered this past year from a blog, that I love to write!  But what do I do with this discovery?  Can I make some kind of a career from that?  I didn’t think so, but I knew I would always regret not exploring this question – hence the interview.

     We had a wonderful discussion about writing and writing options.  We concluded that I definitely shouldn’t quit my day job and write the next great American novel.  But on the other hand, there are some fun writing options out there.  I now feel even more solid about pursing leadership AND keeping my new passion of writing. . . on the side.  Ms. C. gave me some ideas for good classes, interesting professors, and folks to talk to in the community.  And because of her recommendation, I am now the new board member of the University Foundations Advisory Board for BSU.  I decided that would be helpful in my leadership training.  Isn’t networking a wonderful thing.

     I'm thrilled to be in the MDS program where I can custom design my own curriculum.  As I am going to school part time, I will graduate in the spring of 2019.  I see no barriers to this goal other than financial, but with careful planning that will not hinder me at all.  At this point, I don't know exactly where I want to be a leader, but I don't seem to be concerned about that.  As Dr. S said when I asked him what type of jobs are available with this discipline, "Every discipline, every profession, every community needs good leaders".