Welcome to Name One Thing the interview series where I ask academics, researchers, postdocs, and other professionals what they wished they’d known in grad. school. Today’s guest is Ms. Kim McHugh, an instructional designer who realized she was in the wrong graduate program and faced starting her master’s degree over for a better fit.
Name: Kim McHugh
Degree: M.Ed., Training and Development. B.S., Biology, APTD certified
Current role: Learning Experience Designer with Fidelity
1) Name one thing you wish someone had told you when you were a graduate student.
Finding ways to apply the things you’re learning is the best way to reinforce it and it builds experience you can use for your resume and in interviews. Look for opportunities to do just that. You’re still going to have to do a lot of training on the job once you graduate related to tools and industry, so don’t sweat the actual grades too much.
2) You changed your master’s program from accounting to instructional design part way through. Many students stay in programs they are misaligned with because of the time and money they have already spent. Name one thing you would want students who find themselves misaligned with their programs to know.
Recognize that not everything is going to match your expectations. I went into an accounting program targeted at a personality type I just didn’t have. I could have pushed through and had a decent career, but life circumstances happened and showed me a path that’s given me a lot more fulfillment and similar pay. The whole reason I went to grad school was to find a new path to financial independence and I lucked out in finding something I really enjoyed. Stay open-minded to changes rather than focusing on finishing something that may not be a good fit.
Also, not all programs are designed the same so it’s important to find one that resonates with how you want to accomplish your goals. You’ll find it a lot more motivating and you’ll need that when you’re hitting the proverbial walls.
3) Many graduate students complete teaching assistantships and some go on to be university professors without any training in instructional design. Name one thing that they should do to become more effective instructors.
Spend some time looking into learning strategies and and models (not learning styles) relating to how people actually learn. Cognitive behaviorists have done a lot of research and there are a handful of writers who have distilled this well. Develop plans to help your learners get where they need to be and create activities that have a realistic focus/application.
If you’re teaching adults, they really need relevance as a motivational component, and taking the time to link that is really worth it. It’s important to always keep the learner experience in mind when you’re designing.
There are also some great books out there with these concepts laid out simply. I’d recommend starting with Julie Dirksen’s Design For How People Learn and go from there. Other books for a deeper dive include Make It Stick by Peter Brown and Understanding by Design by Wiggins & McTighe. Map It by Cathy Moore is also great when you’re ready to dive into the actual work.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, Ms. McHugh! We appreciate the insight on being in the wrong graduate program and making the bold move to switch and in helping aspiring professors better prepare for their roles.
Wishing You All the Best in Your Academic Success.
–Dr. Cristie Glasheen, Your Graduate Student Success Coach.
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K.G., Ph.D. Public Health
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M.H., Ph.D. Toxicology
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Thank you for all your help!
I.M., Ph.D. in Economics
What’s been the most helpful? “It has been useful to look at problems from a different/more helpful perspective. I like that I have been able to work on my thesis sustainably without burning out, considering that I have a full-time job. I usually feel very motivated to work on my thesis after the meeting with Cristie, and having weekly meetings helps me be accountable and drastically reduce my procrastination. I also really appreciate the knowledge sharing of resources and the work smarter, not harder approach (e.g. AI suggestions, Andy Stapleton videos, Focusmate, programs that help with identifying duplicates, etc).”
F.N., Ph.D. in Environmental Economics
What’s been the most helpful? “Breaking down tasks that overwhelm me. Navigating many difficult decisions that are crucial towards achieving my PhD. Getting feedback on my work. And tracking the work in progress which is often invisible.”
“I think Dr. Cristie does an amazing job. I have tried the free coaching provided by my institution and I would rather pay Dr. Cristie.”
A.M., PhD Student, Economics
Successfully submitted my online [grant] application! It was an unknown journey for me, but what I now do know is that it was possible greatly thanks to you. So thank you so much!
A.S., Ph.D. Epidemiology
I don’t know how other people who are balancing work and family manage to finish their dissertations without a coach, but I am so glad [other client] told me about you. This was the best decision I could’ve made. I’m so thankful.
G.G., Ph.D. Bioinformatics
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Thank you again for all your help […]!
A.S., Ph.D. Public Health
Finished! My dissertation was defended on 01-July and I am an official Ph.D.! What an incredible journey. I am so grateful for our interactions and still apply [your] lessons in life.
A.S., Ph.D. Candidate, Industrial/Organizational Psychology
I PASSED [the oral comprehensive exams]. Thank you so so so so so much! I could not have done this without you! [redacted for privacy] I can’t believe it’s over […] The beginning of the end is finally here! I’m so happy!!!
R.H., Admissions Coaching for Master’s Higher Education Admin
“Hi Dr. Cristie! (…)
I’m happy to report I got into all the programs I applied for!
- [Redacted] University: fully funded, plus $24,000 stipend & health care (…)
- University of [Redacted]: no scholarship offered, did not apply for GA positions.
- [Redacted] University: offered 50% tuition, GA position offered up to 66% tuition. (…)”
*Some content redacted for privacy.
H.N., Masters in Public Health
Just want to appreciate the incredible Cristie and how wonderful of a mentor she is. I’d want to be your student and to learn from you over and over again! There’s absolutely no one half as good as you’re. Thank you for being a part of my journey. My heart is SO full now that I’m done with my degree and I reflect on the huge role that you played in making it true. What a gem!
K.H., Doctor of Physical Therapy Student
It has been a crazy semester but it is going really well. Just finished 2 of my courses and feel really good about them. I feel like I have been able to use so much from working with you the last year to make this semester go amazing.
T.N., PhD. Evolutionary Biology
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S.C., Professional Development Coaching
It’s so very evident how much Dr. Cristie cares about my progress and successes. It gets me through the hard days knowing how much she is genuinely routing for me. She’s gone out of her way to be responsive and supportive and help me get past the blocks I kept running into. She really did help get me unstuck and now I’m staying that way.
Alex, Ph.D. Environmental Science
Having Cristie as a coach was one of the best investments I made in graduate school. Period. She was instrumental in helping me pass my comprehensive exam and finish my research proposal, all while giving me the tools to manage two other projects I was juggling at the time. Despite being laser-focused and results-driven in helping me achieve my academic outcomes, Cristie is also very human and reminded me that graduate school is more than just academics and that you have to make time for yourself and for fun stuff.
A.M., Postdoc, Atmospheric Science
Hi Cristie, I just wanted to let you know that I finished my presentation on time… one day ahead of schedule! That’s a first for me. Thank you for your help keeping me on track with our coaching sessions!
Interview Disclaimer
We aim to share diverse perspectives and experiences. The views, opinions, and experiences shared by our guests in this interview series are solely their own. Their participation is not an endorsement of our services, products, or views, nor does it imply an endorsement of their services, products, or views by us.
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