Marine spouse & USC’s Rossier School of Education Career Placement Specialist
Degrees:
- –Master of Arts in Teaching with Elementary Education Teaching Credential from University of Southern California (USC)
- -Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Affairs & Anthropology from George Washington University
When Marine spouse Anita Singh completed her BA from George Washington University, it was important to her to find a high superiority Master’s program. Thus, she focused on research-research-research. Utilizing various outlets, such as Military OneSource, National Military Family Association, US News, World Report Rankings, and Google, Anita was able to compare schools, their programs, and how they conduct their classes. Next, she spoke to teachers, to include fellow military spouses, to find out how they became credentialed.
Eventually she found USC, a renowned school known for offering quality courses, but she was skeptical about doing a MA program online. Through her inquiry she discovered that USC utilized various mediums of technology to give the in-classroom feel, to include live teachings. Because of the innovative offerings and the time Anita invested in learning about institutions, she successfully completed her degree and found employment at the school as well.
Anita’s Tips That Led Her to Graduation Day- TWICE!
- -Create a calendar (online or on paper) and include all of your assignments, your activities, etc. to help you manage your schedule effectively. If you are a parent whose spouse is deployed, it’s especially important that you utilize a calendar since you will need to balance your academic schedule along with your children’s schedules and the other little things that come up in your day-to-day life! Having a calendar helped me stay on top of my workload!
- -Post a picture of your school’s commencement ceremony or something that reminds you of your school in your study area. I hung a USC banner above my desk! This is a great way to stay inspired and to remember what you are working towards!
- -Don’t forget that the end goal of your studies is to find the right career path for you. In my current role as a Career Counselor for educators, I always remind students that it’s important to start thinking about your job search the moment you enter your program of study. As military spouses, we face unique challenges when it comes to employment opportunities. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and to use the resources available including your school’s Career Center!