How it started:

School has never been something that I have enjoyed....to be brutally honest. I have never been hungry to be in a classroom learning, writing essays, or doing projects. For me, it seemed like a waste of time because there was no real motivation. Yes, the end goal was to get a degree in Biology so that one day I could be a Physician Assistant. That excited me! Because there was a goal/motive, plus I would be learning something I could use every day and be the best.

I did a 180 turn in life after college and got into coaching college football. I loved coaching, developing, leading, motivating, the pressure of game day, and everything else that went into coaching. As most do not know coaching is not a lucrative profession.... I was paid with free tuition.

My first Master's Degree was a Master's in Business (MBA) from Elmhurst University. I received this degree while I was a Graduate Assistant there on staff with the football team.

My second degree I started while I was coaching football at Michigan State University as a Graduate Assistant again.

My current reasoning:

In 2020 there was a coaching change at MSU and unfortunately a pitfall of coaching at a high level is when a new head coach comes in the previous staff gets let go. Right after being let go from my position at MSU COVID spread and shut everything down. I could not find a coaching position, so I started thinking about my next phase in life or completing my circle. I went back to the medical field.

At the end of 2020, I received an entry-level position at Stryker. I quickly worked my way up to a Regional Supervisor. While working in my current role, I thought back on how similar management was to coaching. Plus, I keep the same mindset that I want to be the best at my craft. After talking with my mother about ways I could enhance my management skills, she brought up that I could go back and finish my second master's degree.

I am using this second degree to help me become the best leader I can be for my job and my people.