Research for CST 515: Privacy and Technology Freedom of Speech Social Issues
I am enrolled in my first graduate school course, CST 515 Technology and Communication. I am working on a master's degree in Contemporary Communication.
I have a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park. I have worked for the Department of the Army for most of my career as a public affairs specialist.
This is the first advanced education I have pursued since graduating from college 23 years ago. My work has been very supportive, and is funding my master's degree. I recently separated after a 17-year marriage, and have had to take a long look at my career as my retirement plans and goals have changed drastically.
The separation came as a complete surprise, but I can't say it has been unwelcome. I don't have much time for hobbies; I spend most of my free time with my children. My primary concern has been the well-being of my two sons, Jonathan and Christopher, who are 16 and 14, respectively. They both are excellent students, and have adapted well to our "new" lives.
I had applied for graduate school 10 months earlier, but hadn't followed up on sending in my transcripts. One week after the separation, I received an email from the Admissions Office reminding me that I had a few months to complete my application. I sat down that night, wrote my essay, sent away for my transcripts, and walked into work the next Monday and asked if they would pay for graduate school. They said yes.