As a passionate educator who now works as a school liaison, we asked alumna Ciera Bohm to tell us about her experience pursuing a CSP Global graduate degree and how it has positively impacted her current job.
Why did you want to work in education? What inspired you?
I did not always know I wanted to be a teacher. Honestly, it sort of happened by accident. In my first year of undergrad, I took an introduction to education course taught by my former high school teacher because I previously loved his class. One night, I left campus in tears, because it finally hit me. My passion is kids. My passion is teaching. Shortly after, I began working as a special education paraprofessional. This gave me incredible insight into just how complex kids are.
There is no manual that can walk you through a day at school. Little humans are unpredictable, and that’s my favorite part. I bonded with students quickly and loved every minute of helping them learn. Two years later, shortly before graduation, I applied to be a fifth-grade teacher at the same school I worked at as a paraprofessional. It was a dream come true in the spring of 2018 when my current principal and grade-level partner offered me the position.
Why did you choose CSP Global for your M.A. in Educational Leadership?
When I was finishing my second year of teaching, I started to get the feeling that I wanted to open myself up to further career options. I absolutely loved my classroom, colleagues, and students, but I knew it wasn’t forever for me. I received a flyer advertising CSP Global’s graduate programs and took a good look at it. In comparing what they offered next to the university I attended for my undergraduate degree, it was an easy decision. CSP’s program was more cost-effective, which is an obvious factor for many when choosing a place of study. Even more enticing was the setup of the program.
To earn my degree, it would take just under two years, and I would be with the same cohort of classmates throughout the program. It also consisted of condensed classes taught within an eight-week time frame, which allowed students to take just one class at a time as opposed to trying to juggle the workload from multiple professors. This was incredibly appealing given that I was also a full-time teacher. After speaking with CSP Global advisory staff, I immediately felt supported and applied immediately.
What skills did you gain or sharpen through your program at CSP Global and how do you use them today?
I have always felt like a natural leader; I enjoy taking charge of situations and spearheading new initiatives. This often gives me the feeling that I know what I’m doing. While I was eager to begin my graduate degree journey, I was incredibly intimidated because I had no idea what I was doing. I was nervous about the increased intensity, more complex topics, and level of competency that would be expected of me. That said, CSP Global’s M.A. in Educational Leadership allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and become more of a leader than ever before. I felt like I truly belonged in the room, and that I was worthy of being there.
How has your M.A. in Educational Leadership impacted you in terms of your current position or a position you’d like to attain in the future?
Pursuing my degree at CSP Global gave me the confidence to go after the kind of life I truly wanted, though that has changed over the years. I initially wanted to become a school principal, then leave education to start my own business, to being completely lost. In the middle of my career crisis, I came across a non-profit in my city that supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I saw they were hiring for their prevention and education team. I had no idea what it would entail, but I applied, went to an interview, and immediately knew it was what I was looking for.
My title is now the School Liaison. In this role, I go into schools across the county to educate about healthy friendships and relationships to prevent future acts of violence as our youth grow into adulthood. This ended up being the perfect fit for me, as it gives me the opportunity to take a leadership role in promoting our programming, maintaining relationships with teachers and administrators, and creating new content, all while having direct contact with kids, which is what truly lights me up. My experience at CSP Global showed me what I truly valued in the education field, which was the well-being of students beyond the classroom. My new role allows me to do just that, and I am so thankful.
What was a challenge you faced during your graduate program, and who or what helped you overcome it?
During my time at CSP Global, while the classes were set up for students to work full-time, many times it felt overwhelming. Combining the daily demands of teaching with graduate-level discussions and coursework along with family and personal obligations was difficult. One of the most helpful pieces of this puzzle was my cohort of classmates. We had a large group chat where everyone could share difficulties, support each other, ask/answer questions, and simply bond over our shared experiences.
Knowing other people were feeling the same way reminded me that I wasn’t alone, and I could do this. We grew close throughout the two-year program, and I know I could not have done it without them. I am also very thankful to have had a support system of colleagues, family, friends, and especially my husband, who picked up the slack when I had homework to do or classes to attend. I will say, completing a graduate degree mimics the saying for raising a child: it takes a village.
What was the biggest takeaway from your graduate program?
Earning my master’s degree did so much more than just giving me a piece of paper; it allowed me to see my true potential. It showed me that I am capable of things I never thought possible. It gave me the confidence to leave my good job and go for the great career I was craving. While I didn’t know it at the time, enrolling in the graduate program at CSP Global ended up kickstarting a whole new life for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
What would you tell (or what advice would you give) prospective students considering a graduate degree program at CSP Global?
If you want a program that is doable with a full-time job, has supportive classmates, professors, and administration, and will give you clarity on your career plan: go to CSP. While I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate education, CSP Global raised the bar exponentially.