Career Roadmap
Laurel's work combines: Writing, Education, and Problem Solving
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
St. Agnes
Bachelor's Degree
History, General
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Bachelor's Degree
English Language and Literature, General
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Graduate Degree
Writing, General
Hamline University
Doctorate
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
Hamline University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Instructional Coordinators:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: History, General
Bachelor's Degree: English Language and Literature, General
Graduate Degree: Writing, General
Doctorate: Educational Leadership and Administration, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
After completing my MFA, I became the editor of an online visual and literary arts magazine.
2.
I began academic editing; I taught many sections of Freshman Composition.
3.
I paid for my graduate education in cash by waiting tables and tending bar at an Irish American pub.
4.
The service industry helped me learn how to diffuse interpersonal situations and prioritize.
5.
Teaching night classes at the local urban university allowed me to stay home with my kids.
6.
When my youngest was three, I enrolled in Hamline's doctoral program; I came to Walden in 2008.
7.
I co-authored a few courses; I love first term undergraduates and the faculty who teach them.
8.
I have the humbling task of teaching other faculty, and in doing so, I learn daily.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Going to school when you have young children is selfish.
How I responded:
Being a single mother at the time I was in my doctoral program was viewed by some people in my life as self-focused. To me, it felt like the least "me" thing possible. I understood that a terminal degree was the path to greater job security for us. The people I met while I was attending my EdD program helped prepare me for all elements of my work life today. The course readings thrilled me. I had never been submerged into academic theory before, it was craft altering and life-enhancing.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
They say that research is "me" search. I used my doctoral journey to investigate how single moms, like myself, navigate post-secondary institutions. I wanted to better understand the support necessary to enable women to persist through to graduation.