Career Roadmap
Matt's work combines: Technology, Education, and Teaching / Mentoring
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Business/Corporate Communications, General
Central Michigan University
Graduate Degree
Organizational Communication, General
Central Michigan University
Doctorate
Educational/Instructional Technology
Purdue University-Main Campus
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Design and Visual Communications, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
Decided at 20 I wanted to be a University President, so I needed to go to grad school.
2.
Walked out after teaching my first class and "found" my calling.
3.
Started a Ph.D. at Purdue in family studies focused on violence prevention.
4.
Took a 4 week summer class on "Web page programming" back in the 90's that changed EVERYTHING.
5.
Left family studies and started a new Ph.D. in Educational Technology.
6.
Became a Web & database geek and started building amazing things.
7.
Came back to teaching after being a tech administrator, it felt good to come home, until now.
8.
Looking to lead educators and institutions now, I can do more as a leader than I can teaching.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Family:
You should take that job, it's secure and close to home. Do you know how many years I worked to make that kind of salary? Why would you go to grad school and live in near poverty?
How I responded:
My dad had always told me to do something I love, because I was going to have to do it for a long time. That's how I "won" the argument about grad school. I didn't love management and sales. I was good at it, but I knew there was something more out there. My dad's response was "of all the things I said to you, that's what you remember!" My family may not understand what I do, but they are proud of who I am.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I am dyslexic and that has presented some challenges. I've learned to listen better and develop a good memory. I don't read a lot, but I learn constantly. Part of that was understanding different ways of learning.
While education was important in my family, higher education was not. I learned a long time ago, to be OK with my family not really understanding my life or career.