FOSTERING LIFELONG LEARNING

Reasons for earning a graduate degree vary, but a common theme among CSP graduate students is a desire to use education to advance their career goals. We spoke with three current graduate students about their experiences in CSP's graduate programs to learn how furthering their education impacts their career and life trajectories.

Sravanthi Pasala is a student in CSP’s Masters in IT Management program. Originally hailing from Hyderabad, India, Pasala sought a graduate program that she felt could advance her career. Primarily, she looked for a program with both technical and managerial elements in its curriculum.

CSP appealed to Pasala because of its mission statement and commitment to faith and service. “It’s a complete package for any student who wants to grow as an individual, both professionally and personally,” she says.

For her plans after CSP, Pasala already secured a job at US Bank and has the long-term goal of becoming a technical manager. Beyond that, she hopes to start an organization that can financially help students and orphans with their educational and faith journeys.

Carolyn FitzPatrick, MAEd ‘20, is a special education teacher currently studying in the Doctor of Education (EDD) program. She was teaching in Minneapolis schools when her cousin recommended CSP’s Master of Arts in Education program. After completing that program, FitzPatrick decided to continue her education by pursuing her doctorate. The online format of the EDD was especially helpful as she moved to the Washington, DC area to continue her career.

FitzPatrick appreciates the smaller setting at CSP where she is able to get to know her professors, especially in contrast to the larger school she attended for her undergraduate degree. She also finds that what she learns as a student is incredibly practical and applicable to her everyday life as a teacher. Moreover, she raves about the flexibility of her program. “It’s realistic for my crazy schedule as a teacher,” she shares.

Most of all, FitzPatrick sees her time at CSP preparing her for whatever her future may be. As a younger educator, she emphasizes the leadership skills she is learning as she looks toward her current and future opportunities. She says, “[this program] has made me more confident in what I am doing.”

Tim Hunt is the Community Relations Coordinator for the Roseville Police Department (RPD) and a Masters of Strategic Communications student. Before joining the RPD, Hunt was an airport police officer for three years. Toward the latter part of his time at the airport, he became a “quasimedia relations person,” which involved photo and video work for the department.

In part, Hunt’s experience at the airport piqued his interest in furthering his skills in communications and public relations, ultimately deciding that a graduate degree in Strategic Communications from CSP was the best path forward.

Hunt highlights the real-world applications of his graduate program. Specifically, he notes the value of learning from his cohort members’ experiences, as everyone in the program is at different points in their careers. Additionally, Tim loves being able to translate what he is doing in the classroom into his work. For instance, he recently created a crisis communication plan for the RPD through his Crisis Communication Management course.

In the future, Hunt wants to be in a leadership position with an organization where he can teach people how to effectively communicate and brand themselves. One of his biggest takeaways from the program so far is this: “If you want to effectively lead, you first and foremost have to be an effective communicator.”

STORY: Evan Galchutt, '24

PHOTOS: Courtesy of interviewees