March 2012 - Parks & Recreation - 39

By Jody Baker, Michael Bradley,
Tatiana Chalkidou, and
Pamela hawkins

FUTURE L E AD ERS

To What Degree
An Open Discussion about Graduate School

uch attentIon has Been GIVen to the acaDeMIc sector of the parks

Vectorstock / shutterstock

and recreation field lately. The benefits, costs, and an array of other issues have generated much chatter through various networks and conversations. While most conversations tend to focus on undergraduate degree options and
the updated accreditation standards, it is important to consider the implications this
has on graduate programs in the field. For this column, four graduate students in the
parks and recreation field eagerly discussed their graduate education. They wanted
to open a discussion of their graduate school experience in order to help future students and professionals as they consider a graduate degree in parks and recreation.

How did you decide that you should pursue a
graduate degree in parks and recreation?
Pamela Hawkins: My desire to continue my academic career through the leisure program was
determined once I spoke with Dr. Deb Jordan [Professor and Department Chair, East Carolina University] at a workshop. Before that discussion I was
focused on a PhD in Education; I must admit I am satisfied with my decision of Leisure Studies.
Tatiana Chalkidou: My life-long desire to learn
and acquire new skills was the key component in my
decision to attend graduate school. I also believed
that immersing myself in a new culture would be an
eye-opening experience since I was coming from
Greece. At that time of my decision, I was working
in my family-owned business but it was not enough
for me. I could not see myself being in the food and
beverage industry for the rest of my life. Pursuing a
graduate degree in the United States was the next
step to moving forward with my life.
Jody Baker: I came to the decision a bit differently. After working in the recreation industry, I noticed that I was beginning to question some of the
ideas and concepts that I learned as an undergraduate. These questions are what ultimately led to me to
returning to school for more insight.
Explain any challenges you encountered
while pursuing your graduate education that
may impact your professional career.
TC: There are great expectations to publish
in peer-reviewed journals, yet graduating from a

doctoral program does not make you a " writing machine. " To me, being a successful and published author requires not only hard work, but talent.
PH: The thought of explaining my degree (Leisure
Studies) was unusual. Considering that I never had
to explain my Masters in Education; many people
thought it was a wonderful degree. I am not saying
they really understood a leisure studies degree, either; but I now have a summary as well as a detailed
purpose of my degree memorized so that when people ask, I can go through the script.
Michael Bradley: I think the most difficult part
for me was looking four years into the future. " Where
do I want to be when I graduate? " was a decision that
I was not remotely close to answering. I think it is best
to seek out a program with a philosophy that is consistent with what you hope to do.
JB: I think many people believe that graduating
from a graduate school will magically make them a
professional. Not so much. I have found it is not the
school work that transitions you from a student to a
professional. It is all the other work not on my plan
of study that has developed me into a professional,
such as research projects, presentations, and working with state and local associations.

Employers are
looking for
people to " do
more with
less " and see
job experience
as the key
criteria.
-Michael Bradley

How has the economy affected your transition
from a student to a professional?
MB: The economy has made it difficult. While I cannot blame anyone for their personal choices, it seems
that tenured employees are staying in their positions
longer than expected. During times of economic

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March 2012 - Parks & Recreation

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