Field Ready
Posted on January 10, 2023 by CEPS Marketing and Communications
The 麻豆直播 College of Education and Professional Studies prides itself on providing students with opportunities for hands-on experience in their disciplines. That creates long-lasting relationships between students and the college鈥檚 industry partners. Field experience lets students apply classroom-learned skills to real-world problems. Those connections give students an advantage over future job competitors.
Dylan Thomas will earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in exercise science in spring 2023. He chose this discipline
because of his passion for fitness and family. Through his mentor, Dr. Shelly Holden,
a professor in the Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, Thomas has learned
how to help people develop a better sense of wellness. As an intern with a home healthcare
clinic, Saad Healthcare in Mobile, he helps guide and motivate patients in Saad's
Rock Steady Boxing program for individuals with Parkinson's disease. He鈥檚 eager to
show his patients that no task is too big. Thomas鈥� favorite part of the internship
has been connecting with each individual, making an impact on their lives and 鈥渟eeing
a smile on their faces after a workout, knowing they鈥檙e improving.鈥� After graduation,
Thomas hopes for a job that inspires him to wake up each morning looking forward to
assisting people with their overall wellness.
Katie Wilson recently earned a master鈥檚 degree in higher education administration at 麻豆直播. She
also earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in art with a concentration in studio art from the
University. Wilson was eager to understand the dynamics of higher education. She also
wanted to apply the creative skills from her undergraduate program. Courses about
law and regulations gave her a new perspective on the field. Dr. Peggy Delmas, assistant
professor in the Department of Leadership and Teacher Education, arranged an internship
for Wilson at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Wilson worked for the
housing and residence life department as well as the department administering compliance
with Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination. She learned
the dynamics of the campus, grew connections and explored the operations of different
departments. Wilson would like to pursue a doctorate in education and work in a university鈥檚
student services department.
Laura Thomas earned a bachelor鈥檚 and a master鈥檚 degree in elementary education at 麻豆直播. She needed
library media certification to accept an opportunity for her dream job as a library
media specialist. So she enrolled in the fully online Master of Education in Educational
Media program at 麻豆直播, which leads to library media certification. She said she enjoyed
麻豆直播's 鈥渇amily feel鈥� and credited much of her success in the program to advisor and
Assistant Professor Dr. Pamela Moore. Thomas will earn a master's in educational media
in May 2023. She interned with the Fairhope Public Library in Baldwin County, Alabama,
and learned the importance of collaborating with local libraries. That hands-on experience
enabled her to form long-lasting relationships with the staff, who continue to support
and mentor Thomas to this day. She now serves as the library media specialist at Fairhope
Middle School.
Samuel Richardson will graduate in fall 2022 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in interdisciplinary studies
and a concentration in applied sciences. In summer 2020, Richardson earned an Emergency
Medical Technician certification, which helped establish his passion for a career
in the health field. He pursued an interdisciplinary studies degree at 麻豆直播 because
the program accepted previously earned credits and offered new credits needed for
physician assistant school. He loves the variety and flexibility of the program courses.
Richardson interned with Victory Health Partners in Mobile, where he gained experience
working with patients who lack health insurance. The internship showed him how what
he had learned in each of his disciplines in school applied in real life. It also
helped him improve at balancing life, work and school. After graduation, Richardson
plans to move abroad to practice medicine in a low-income community.
Kristi Kadel will earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in hospitality and tourism management in spring 2023.
鈥淭he program combines a variety of subject matters in order to create the perfect
range of skill sets needed to enter the workforce,鈥� Kadel said. Her mentor, Assistant
Professor Amanda Donaldson, helped her connect with her current supervisor at the
Fort Cond茅 Inn and its restaurant, Bistro St. Emanuel, in Mobile, where she still
works after starting as an intern. Working in a hotel setting has given Kadel a variety
of skills needed for a career in hospitality and tourism management. 鈥淭he bond at
both Fort Cond茅 Inn and Bistro St. Emanuel is like no other,鈥� Kadel said. The job
has shown her how classroom information applies in the professional world. After graduation,
Kadel hopes to work in management and possibly explore different sectors of hospitality.