Alumni Spotlight: Anna Clark gains valuable skills after completing the MESA program
Alumni Spotlight: MESA alum gains valuable skills after completing the program Heading link
Anna Clark is a 2022 graduate of the online Master of Education in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment. Clark currently works as the Director of Institutional Research at Knox College in Galesburg, IL.
Learning to balance school, work, and her home life, Clark recognizes the convenience and flexibility of the online program that allowed her to continue working while earning her degree. She also touches on the confidence she built throughout her education and how she hopes it will impact her career journey.
What skills did you gain through your MESA program at UIC and how do you use them today?
My statistical skills were sharpened through the MESA program and I am now more confident after completing the courses. My degree helped me realize that I am qualified to do my current work in institutional research and assessment.
The assessment skills I gained have been valuable. The assessment skills I had previously were hands-on through my job, but now having the classroom experience, it has helped strengthen my understanding of the bigger picture of assessment.
What was a challenge you faced during your program, and who or what helped you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I faced during the program was finding the time to do the work for the course as well as take the exams. My husband stepped up a lot during this time so that I could have the time to be successful. My children were very understanding when I needed to focus on my coursework even when it meant I wasn’t available for them.
What was the biggest takeaway from your MESA degree?
My biggest takeaway were the skills I learned as well as the confidence I gained from earning the degree. I had been doing similar work prior to the program but was worried that I would not be seen as qualified since my previous degrees did not relate to my work.
The skills you gain from the classes can really enhance your resume and are applicable to work both inside and outside of education. The more work you put into the program the more you get out of it.
MESA online quantitative research graduates are in high demand. Receiving this nationally ranked graduate degree or certificate, students are ready to succeed in a variety of research settings and environments. Choose from two online programs, a Master of Education Degree or a Graduate Certificate, and begin your journey today. To learn more about these online programs, visit mesaonline.ec.uic.edu/programs/contact-us.