OMDE 670: Research Project and
E-Portfolio
Assignments and Coursework
OMDE 670 Course Journal
I was unsure of whether or not to take this course. I started a new job days before the course began and wasn't sure I'd have the time to dedicate to my final course towards my master's degree. Knowing I only had this one course left, I decided to push forward and see how things played out. I mean, I could always drop the course before the deadline if things got too hairy, right? One thing I loved about this course was the ability to set my own deadline for the assignment deliverables. This course, for those who aren't familiar with the layout, requires you to write a monster research paper and complete an e-portfolio (which you are browsing through now).
For the first half of the semester, I was meeting my milestones and feeling really good about proceeding with this course. Then it seemed like I hit a brick wall. Luckily, I kept up with my portfolio as I completed each course. So there was very little work to do for that particular part of the course. I thought to myself, "I can spend the entire semester working on my research paper, and time like that will more than likely facilitate the creation of my greatest paper to date." Unfortunately, I was so very wrong. Time flew by. I was consumed with the daily goings-on; the family, the house, the job....I missed the due date for my third deliverable for my research paper. Fortunately, the milestones were not set in stone (bad joke, I know). Then I missed the fourth, and when it came time to turn in my first draft I was late on that one too.
I eventually turned each deliverable in, but days late. I was most certainly NOT sticking to the timeline I created. My first draft was very raw, and didn't include nearly as much as I intended. At this point, I was twelve days away from the final paper due date, and didn't have an entire paper written. As life would have it, the final due date falls the weekend after Thanksgiving. So on top of getting my paper ready for grading, I also had to manage putting together a memorable Thanksgiving feast for my family and guests. It was at this point I really regretted signing up for the course in the first place. I thought to myself, "I was crazy to think I could handle such a huge undertaking." By some stroke of luck, and having the best husband in the world carry the extra load, I was able to complete a second draft and get the final copy turned in on time.
This has been, undoubtedly the craziest semester in the entire two years spent working towards this master's degree. One thing I noticed when I was awarded my bachelor's degree was that I didn't feel any different, and I often forgot I even had the degree. Completing and being awarded a master's degree feels totally different. No one in my family has achieved academic status higher than a high school diploma and I am so proud to have accomplished as much as I have before the age of 35. While I'll probably never work in the education profession, I know this master's degree will be the ticket to better things for me. Even though I just started working at my new job a few months ago, I already have my eyes set on a government position with the FAA, and I know that master's degree will be the deciding factor when it comes to being hired there.
I am so grateful to the faculty and staff at UMUC. The instructors have been so helpful, so knowledgeable, and so patient. My MDE journey has been nothing short of amazing. I met a lot of great people, most of whom I'll stay in contact with for years to come, and I learned so much more than I ever thought possible. For those who are skimming through this, deciding whether or not the MDE is for them, I would definitely recommend this program at this school. Regardless of your background, how long it's been since you were last in a classroom, or the amount of time you can presently commit, take a chance. It just might pay off!
For the first half of the semester, I was meeting my milestones and feeling really good about proceeding with this course. Then it seemed like I hit a brick wall. Luckily, I kept up with my portfolio as I completed each course. So there was very little work to do for that particular part of the course. I thought to myself, "I can spend the entire semester working on my research paper, and time like that will more than likely facilitate the creation of my greatest paper to date." Unfortunately, I was so very wrong. Time flew by. I was consumed with the daily goings-on; the family, the house, the job....I missed the due date for my third deliverable for my research paper. Fortunately, the milestones were not set in stone (bad joke, I know). Then I missed the fourth, and when it came time to turn in my first draft I was late on that one too.
I eventually turned each deliverable in, but days late. I was most certainly NOT sticking to the timeline I created. My first draft was very raw, and didn't include nearly as much as I intended. At this point, I was twelve days away from the final paper due date, and didn't have an entire paper written. As life would have it, the final due date falls the weekend after Thanksgiving. So on top of getting my paper ready for grading, I also had to manage putting together a memorable Thanksgiving feast for my family and guests. It was at this point I really regretted signing up for the course in the first place. I thought to myself, "I was crazy to think I could handle such a huge undertaking." By some stroke of luck, and having the best husband in the world carry the extra load, I was able to complete a second draft and get the final copy turned in on time.
This has been, undoubtedly the craziest semester in the entire two years spent working towards this master's degree. One thing I noticed when I was awarded my bachelor's degree was that I didn't feel any different, and I often forgot I even had the degree. Completing and being awarded a master's degree feels totally different. No one in my family has achieved academic status higher than a high school diploma and I am so proud to have accomplished as much as I have before the age of 35. While I'll probably never work in the education profession, I know this master's degree will be the ticket to better things for me. Even though I just started working at my new job a few months ago, I already have my eyes set on a government position with the FAA, and I know that master's degree will be the deciding factor when it comes to being hired there.
I am so grateful to the faculty and staff at UMUC. The instructors have been so helpful, so knowledgeable, and so patient. My MDE journey has been nothing short of amazing. I met a lot of great people, most of whom I'll stay in contact with for years to come, and I learned so much more than I ever thought possible. For those who are skimming through this, deciding whether or not the MDE is for them, I would definitely recommend this program at this school. Regardless of your background, how long it's been since you were last in a classroom, or the amount of time you can presently commit, take a chance. It just might pay off!