April 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 43

program allowed me to work on my
classwork on my own time. I was able
to respond to discussion questions at
my leisure through an app or on my
computer and work on papers whenever I was free between my busy work
schedule and personal commitments.
I read the course materials when it
suited me and I could work ahead if
I knew I had busy weeks coming up.
I enjoyed the mobile aspect of an online program and the opportunity it
allowed me to focus on all areas of
my life and create balance.
The challenge of pursuing a degree
online was that it was very much a
self-guided study. The role of the
instructor was to act more as a conversation facilitator and not a lecturer. Lecture notes and PowerPoints
sometimes were posted, but it varied
instructor to instructor. Additionally,
each weekly set of discussion questions and responses required a great
deal of time writing and editing.
Think of all the conversations you
have at work in a staff meeting and
then imagine typing all those conversations out word for word. Finally, it
felt very isolating. Interactions with
your instructor and your cohort exist solely online. Without face-to-face
interaction, it was difficult to connect
to my instructors and peers. I will
admit the experience finally felt real
and complete when I received my diploma in the mail.
Derek Donlevy - Obtained a
Master's Degree on Campus
After my undergraduate studies, my
first position working in the park
and recreation field lasted only seven months because of budget cuts.
With minimal full-time opportunities
available in Wisconsin at the time, I
decided to obtain a master's degree
to continue moving forward with

Derek Donlevy

greatest benefit I received was serving
as a graduate assistant at the campus
recreation center. This allowed me to
work part-time, gaining valuable experience equivalent to an entry-level
professional position, and it paid for
the full cost of my tuition. I was able
to build on the knowledge I gained
from the classroom, which made me
a very competitive candidate when I
re-entered the job market after twoand-a-half years of school.
The greatest challenge of being
a full-time graduate student is the

Achieving [a master's degree] offers the benefits of
personal and professional growth, qualifying for
higher administrative positions, higher salaries and
future career-change opportunities.
my career aspirations. Remembering
an online course I had taken in high
school, and finding the format antithetical to my learning style, I made
the decision enroll in a traditional,
on-campus program and commit to
once again being a full-time student.
It was the best decision I ever made
in my life.
Being on campus made me feel like
a part of the university and kept me
accountable to attend class and do
my homework. I enjoyed being part
of classroom discussions and group
presentations at the graduate level -
the topics were more challenging and
thought-provoking than my undergraduate studies. I felt the professors
invested more in me as a student and
I took advantage of it, viewing them
more as mentors and visiting during
their office hours.
Aside from my education, the

delay it caused, both professionally
and personally. Classmates from my
bachelor's degree program are further
along in their professional careers
and some have already advanced to
administrative positions. The loss
of a salary and benefits during that
time means I am behind my peers in
saving for retirement and a mortgage
down payment. In the long run, I
know the benefits of my experience
and the opportunity of free tuition
will continue to outweigh the drawbacks as my career advances.

Anthony Iracki, MS, CPRP, is a Recreation
Supervisor for Milwaukee Public Schools
Department of Recreation and Community
Services (anthony@milwaukeerecreation.
net). Derek Donlevy, M. Ed., is a Recreation
Supervisor for Milwaukee Public Schools
Department of Recreation and Community
Services (derek@milwaukeerecreation.net).

W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G | A P R I L 2 0 1 6 |

Parks & Recreation

April 2016 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2016 - Parks & Recreation