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Thinkers360

Old School to New School: My Path from Traditional Education to a Tech-Savvy Master's Degree

Mar14



In 1992, the year I graduated from college, the world of education and technology was vastly different. My days were filled with sitting in desks and libraries, engrossed in the quiet solitude of books and the shared discussions of customary classroom settings. Fast forward to today, and at age 54, I have completed my Master’s degree in Executive Leadership with high distinction. This journey has been more than an academic pursuit. It has been an extensive lesson, highlighting the transition from a past of what was into the current wave of what is.


The journey of this second chapter later in life creates particular challenges. The digital transformation reshaped the process of how we learn, communicate, and access information. Instead of books and limited sources, the Master’s program encompassed sitting at a standing desk full of cutting-edge technology, scouring every library in the world through cyberspace. The known world and then some were accessible through a click of a mouse, requiring a willingness to learn and adapt, essential qualities in any leadership role.


It was paved through predawn mornings and extended into marathon evenings. It was a testimony to the devotion and discipline essential to navigating life’s responsibilities through the tired eyes of academic pursuits. It was filled with lectures, reading, writing, rewriting, posting, and researching. Each phase was a renewed light of a deepened understanding and sharpened skill, made possible by modern technology that gives a much broader and deeper access to information than time has ever given us.


It was a lesson that learning is an ongoing journey. It emphasizes that as technology evolves and knowledge inflates in the field of executive leadership, the message is that curiosity and change are the ingredients that quintessentially matter. It is also the safety net that ensures the necessity of the overarching values of perseverance and resilience, which are critical to any successful journey of leadership.


This journey has been a rewarding experience, filled with lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. The transition from the traditional learning environments of my college days to the advanced digital workspace of my Master's studies underscores the dynamic nature of education and the endless possibilities that come with embracing change.


 

By Dean Miles

Keywords: Business Continuity, Coaching, Mental Health

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