Adam Gleason
Pope Francis recently stated, “You must live, not just exist”. This poses the greater question, what does it mean to live rather than to just exist? In my experience the people who seem to be truly living are those who work in careers that fit their passions. Confucius put it best when he said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. Thus, my philosophy is to pursue a career that fits my talents and passions, so that I may live and not just exist.
Over the past four years at OSU, I have had the opportunity to see success in many diverse areas. From singing in the concert chorale, to assisting with football recruiting, to interning in marketing with Phillips 66, and eventually working with women’s basketball, I have tested my talents to discover my true passions. Ultimately I have come to the conclusion that my strongest desires are to improve the lives of others, challenge them to become the best they can be, and inspire them to pursue their hopes and dreams. Combining these desires with my passion for the sport of basketball has lead me to pursue the profession of a collegiate basketball coach.
Despite my goal of becoming a coach, this program in Educational Technology has helped me learn invaluable lessons about the way students learn and how to utilize technology in a way that helps the learning process rather than hindering it. While I may not be using the information in the most traditional setting, the classroom, I will be taking the information that I have learned and applying it to the teaching of the game of basketball. The skills and techniques that I have developed over the last two years in this program will undoubtedly assist me greatly in my coaching career as I help my student-athletes both on the court and in the classroom.
Earning a Master of Science in Educational Technology is a key differentiator in determining my success as a coach and teacher of basketball. This degree provides me with several advantages. First, I have learned invaluable techniques on how to utilize current technologies in any setting to facilitate learning. Second, the knowledge gained from this program has not only benefited me, but I will be able to share my expertise with my colleagues to improve their teaching strategies. Finally, the connections that I have made over these past two years have enhanced my ability to keep up with the current trends and technologies being implemented in classrooms around the world.
My philosophy is to pursue a career that fits my talents and passions. Through self-evaluation and many experiences I have come to the realization that my strongest passions are to improve the lives of others, challenge them to become the best they can be, and inspire them to pursue their hopes and dreams. These passions have lead me to pursue a career as a collegiate basketball coach, and the Master of Science program in Educational Technology has given me the necessary tools and knowledge to stand out in my field and have success in my career.