Advice, Reflection, and a Look Ahead From Our Award-Winning Students

We at the Office of Distance Education have long believed the students in our online programs are among the very best and brightest of any in the university — and that opinion was validated as fact during Metropolitan College’s recent commencement exercises, when a quartet of our standouts were celebrated with academic excellence awards.

The honorees were Lisa Blubaugh, who excelled in Health Communication; Matthew Muscat, who earned a master’s degree in Criminal Justice; Freeman G. Corkum, who received a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree; and Irina Kofman, who was honored for her work toward a Master of Science in Project Management diploma.

With so much wisdom among that group, we couldn’t let them graduate without asking each of them to reflect on his or her experience, share some tips, recognize those who helped in the achievement of another goal, and tell everyone where they’re headed next. Here’s what they had to say…

Lisa Blubaugh (right) was all smiles at MET Commencement.

Lisa Blubaugh (right) was all smiles at MET Commencement.

LISA BLUBAUGH

Master of Science in Health Communication

If you could give an online student one piece of advice as they start their program, what would it be?
Although it’s an online program, don’t short change the personal connections you can make with fellow students, facilitators, and professors. It takes some extra effort, but connect through Blackboard, Facebook, and email. It helps so very much to not feel like you’re going at this alone.

Irina KofmanHow did you successfully balance your school and personal lives, and what helped you to manage your time?
Discipline and structure. And acceptance that sometimes you can’t do it all. I also work full-time, and my company was fortunately really great with being flexible if I needed to take off early to do research, work on projects, or study for an exam. But inevitably, something has to give. It take a while to find that balance, but you have to understand your limits. When you know you can only give 3 hours a day during a particular week because of other things going on in your life, you plan to put in more time the week before or the week after.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank for the help they’ve lent you?
Everyone! My co-workers, friends, and of course my family have all been so supportive and understanding. That makes a really big difference in being able to plow through such an intense program.

What were the highlights of coming to Boston for commencement? Would you recommend that students do so?
I would absolutely recommend that students come to the commencement. The highlight — by far — was meeting people I’d been talking to for 18 months but had never met. It was like we were all the best of friends despite never having actually met in person. It was a great feeling.

What’s the next step in your career?
I’m already a health communicator, and have been working in health communications my entire career, so getting my masters in the field just made sense, but I wasn’t trying to change career directions. In many ways, that makes my next step not nearly as big as deciding to go back to school! I hope that this degree will allow me to take on greater responsibility and explore other opportunities within the field. But mostly, I plan to keep doing what I do, and I know that the program has helped me be better at what I do.

 

Matthew Muscat with some of the MET CJ faculty and staff.

Matthew Muscat (center) with some of the MET CJ faculty and staff.

MATTHEW MUSCAT

Master of Criminal Justice

If you could give an online student one piece of advice as they start their program, what would it be?
My one piece of advice is actually a scout’s motto: be prepared. Be prepared for the intensity of the online course and to sacrifice time with family and friends.

How did you successfully balance your school and personal lives, and what helped you to manage your time?
Lisa BlubaughBalancing school and my personal life was rather tough, owing to the intensive nature of the course. Nonetheless, I made it a point to relax for 2 to 3 hours every day. In addition, I also took a few short holidays abroad between courses. These holidays used to help me de-stress.

An organized timetable is a valuable tool for managing time. I used to prepare one for each module.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank for the help they’ve lent you?
My Dad for being a rock. My sister who stuck by my side even though I was a bore. The fine academic staff at Metropolitan College, in particular Professors LeClair, Mastrorilli, Cadigan, and Choi. And last but not least BU for providing an organized and thought-provoking learning environment.

What were the highlights of coming to Boston for commencement? Would you recommend that students do so?
Putting a face to various online students and visiting the wonderful city of Boston.

What’s the next step in your career?
Reading for an M.Phil in Criminology and Criminological Research at the University of Cambridge. I plan to delve deeper into the criminological aspects of financial crime.

 

Freeman G. Corkum receives his award at MET commencement.

Freeman G. Corkum receives his award.

FREEMAN G. CORKUM

Undergraduate Degree Completion Program (UDCP)
Bachelor of Liberal Studies

If you could give an online student one piece of advice as they start their program, what would it be?
One piece of advice I would give is consistency. I think one of the greatest challenges with this rather intensive degree completion program is balancing work, family life, as well as other commitments. I found that devoting some time daily was key in keeping pace. With short class schedules of just 6-7 weeks it is easy to fall behind, then very hard to make up the workload deficit. Even if some days it means grabbing 45 minutes or an hour and other days a block of a few (or more) hours, the daily commitment was key to success.

Is there anything you wish you knew on Day 1?
Matthew Muscat
On the same topic was the fact that there is a kind of rhythm to the classes and coursework that I would find. I used to be a long-distance runner and it is analogous to finding and tapping into the pace or rhythm on a run. Whether 5, 10, 15 miles or a marathon, it really is an integral part of maintaining progress and persisting to achieve the goal. Overall in the BU UDCP there was a certain rhythm and of course it would vary somewhat from class to class due to the nature and subject matter of the different courses.

How did you successfully balance your school and personal lives, and what helped you to manage your time?
Consistency. I also realized after the first couple of classes that the 7 week course length was going to be achievable. There were times when it seemed overwhelming to complete all that would be required but keeping a focus on what I could do that day or that week and realizing it would end in 6 to 7 weeks frequently motivated me. I think we can survive about anything for only 7 weeks. 🙂

Is there anyone you’d like to thank for the help they’ve lent you?
There are so many people I would like to thank including my wife and family who certainly supported and tolerated all those nights, weekends, and holidays of study time. Of course the professors and facilitators I found overall to be excellent. My classmates that interestingly enough I got to know very well over the course of the program yet we were distributed around the globe. My fellow students were great and at times quite helpful and encouraging and I value all that I learned from our interactions and discussions. I used to wonder how an online education program could replicate or compensate for the lack of classroom experience. I found the interactions through discussion boards, live classrooms, and even occasional working groups and group projects even more meaningful and interesting than many of the more traditional classes I have attended. I would also like to thank the staff and BU administrators that keep the program running and provide all that vital and useful information. Finally, my co-workers and manager were also quite supportive. I think they may have worried at the start since I have a demanding work schedule but I am also proof that it is certainly possible to balance if not juggle the work, family life, and school commitments and workload to achieve success.

What were the highlights of coming to Boston for commencement?
It was a phenomenal experience and I certainly feel it was the right way to culminate the completion of the BU UDCP. I questioned for a while whether to make the trip from California but found it to be a tremendously rich experience. I didn’t realize until being there how powerful the acknowledgement by the university, alumni, family, and friends at the commencement ceremonies could be. Not to mention the connections made with fellow alumni and also meeting professors and staff at BU. My wife and some family in the Boston area also attended and were very impressed as well. I also briefly attended the pre-commencement reception where I spent some time with classmates that, although we knew each other, had never met face to face — another great reason to attend. Of course, Boston is a magnificent city and one of my favorite places. I was also very impressed by the BU campus and facilities. Attending the commencement and reception is an experience not to be missed in my opinion.

What’s the next step in your career?
I have been established in my current career in the software field for quite a while but found the Bachelor of Liberal Studies has enhanced my life and career in ways I wouldn’t have imagined at the start of the UDCP program. I am now taking a foundation course over the summer and hope to matriculate in the BU Masters of Science in Computer Information Systems online program in the fall. Although I don’t have an immediate next step, both the undergraduate and graduate degrees will extend opportunities both within the company I work for and beyond. I am currently in a lead position and completion of the Bachelor’s degree and potentially the Masters will help me to elevate my skills and knowledge for the next level of management and certainly open up many more opportunities.

The value of this course of study and completion of my undergraduate degree at Boston University’s Metropolitan College is in my opinion without parallel. I found it to be academically rigorous, challenging, and at times a very intense commitment of time and energy but well worth it and I am very grateful for the experience. I highly recommend the BU UDCP to anyone planning to complete their degree — it is certainly one of the most rewarding achievements of my life.

 

Irina Kofman with Professors Roger Warburton and Vijay Kanabar.

Irina Kofman with Professors Roger Warburton (left) and Vijay Kanabar (right).

IRINA KOFMAN

Master of Science in Project Management

If you could give an online student one piece of advice as they start their program, what would it be?
This is way more challenging than many expect, but will fly by way faster than most imagine and you can do it if you put in the effort. Forming study groups and getting to know your peers can aide you and help bring the program to life. Once all the textbooks are read, exams taken, and grades input, these friendships and connections will live on, so remember to get to know others, share your insight, and you will get out of the program more than 100% of what you put in.

How did you successfully balance your school and personal lives, and what helped you to manage your time?
It sounds silly, but I project managed my own life throughout the program. I set aside time each morning and evening, before and after work to complete discussions (thank goodness for two-hour shuttle rides to and from work!), setup and participated in conference calls weekly with study group partners to get ahead, and kept a schedule for completing deliverables on a Google calendar.

Freeman G

However, given all that, I made it a point to not allow my son, who was only 2 when I started the program, to miss out on anything. No matter what assignment or exam was on the schedule, it was my personal choice to attend every soccer practice, swim class, preschool event, and birthday party. I explained to my family and friends the challenges and limitations my schedule would have the two years I committed to the program, and with their support was able to balance both, while keeping in mind life happens while you are busy making plans. I consistently reminded myself, as did my now 4-year-old, you never get the years back so enjoy your family and make the best out of the time you spend in school.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank for the help they’ve lent you?
My family, especially my husband, parents, and son, who put up with me when I just had to finish that assignment that seemed daunting and all of whom were unwavering in their support. I am grateful for the amazing professors, facilitators, coordinators, and Dean Zlateva, who all have made the experience so unique and rewarding, my coworkers and managers who supported my efforts and encouraged me to pursue the degree, and my study groups and teammates, who helped make the program so much more enjoyable. I would also like to thank Professor Kanabar in particular, who took an interest in me and encouraged some great discussions and helped extend my interest in academics and the field of project management.

What were the highlights of coming to Boston for commencement? Would you recommend that students do so?
Absolutely! Some of the highlights of getting to come to campus and commencement was seeing the university in person and meeting the professors and staff at BU. I also got the chance to meet many of my peers and former teammates on projects in the program. It is really an opportunity you should take if you can. The individuals you meet and the conversations you have you will remember forever, plus you have earned it!

What’s the next step in your career?
I plan to share my experiences about the program and educational opportunities with coworkers to help guide others interested in pursuing graduate education in project management. I’m eager to continue to take on more projects and programs to manage, and pursue corporate operational roles.


Congratulations to all of our honorees and graduates! To check out more stories and reflections from commencement weekend, please visit our YouTube channel

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