November 2015 Student Spotlight
November Student Spotlight with Caitlin Massey, MSEd ‘16
Caitlin Massey has worked hard as both a student and higher education assistant to create an enriching foundation on which to build a “rewarding and exciting career.” She speaks about her educational and professional experiences at the School of Public Affairs and how they’ve helped her move toward this critical life goal.
What about the Baruch College School of Public Affairs Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Administration (MSEd-HEA) attracted you? How do you believe it’ll help you fulfill your career aspirations?
When I began looking into grad programs for higher education, I knew I wanted to look at schools in Boston and New York City. After doing a lot of research, I decided that Baruch’s MSEd-HEA program would benefit me the most and allow me to expand my knowledge and potential, both professionally and personally.
The availability of experienced and knowledgeable faculty, the diverse body of students, and the wealth of networking and career opportunities made the School of Public Affairs an attractive place to be, and it has exceeded my expectations. The skills I’ve gained and the connections I’ve made have already projected me towards a rewarding and exciting career, and will give me an advantage in the higher education administration world.
Can you tell us about the classes you’re currently taking? Are you finding them enjoyable? Challenging?
I’m currently taking Educational Policy (taught by Judith Kafka), and Administrative Services (co-taught by Ron Spalter and Linda Shatzer).
Educational Policy has been extremely fascinating thus far. While it is focused on K-12 education, there is much for me to know and learn as a higher education student. What happens in the world of K-12 has a direct impact on colleges and universities. Many of the students in the class are in the School Building/District Leadership programs here at Baruch, and their knowledge and experience have been just as useful as Dr. Kafka’s seminars.
Administrative Services is a challenging but invaluable course, due to both its content and its methods. Each student is given a role as the Vice President of a major division within a college, and we have to work in groups (or “cabinets”) in order to solve real world problems that administrators face every day.
It is exciting to have the opportunity to put theory to practice.
You’re one of the more involved students at Baruch College. What have you gotten from each of your roles working at Baruch College? What have you put into them?
In every position I’ve had, one of my primary goals has been to get to know as many people as I can. Higher education, like many industries, places a major emphasis on interpersonal relationships. It’s important for me to make connections and expand my professional network.
However, it’s also important for me to see what others do and how they do it, so that I can learn and grow from their expertise. This applies to my peers as well, since their support and experience have been crucial to my personal development.
