Skills for Immediate Workplace Impact: Q&A With Becky Shaw

Why did you decide to return to school for a master’s degree?

I had always been intimidated by the idea of a master’s degree. I enjoyed undergrad and I was an average student, but I knew a master’s would be a lot of work and there was not a degree I saw where I was passionate enough about the topic to take on that workload. I ended up taking a few professional development courses for work and I was blown away by how much I enjoyed them – there were people in different professional stages coming together to learn new skills. As I sat in that classroom I had a moment of realizing this is what more education could look like – listening to people and seeing how their stories impact how they approach a problem or find a solution.

Why did you choose Gonzaga and the Online M.A. in Organizational Leadership program?

I looked at a lot of different programs – some specifically targeted towards my career, but I’m big on trusting my gut and nothing felt right. A friend of mine had been working on a master’s degree and when she initially told me about it, I thought it sounded incredible, so I asked her for more information. She raved about the Gonzaga ORGL program and compared it to an MBA but said it was more people-focused versus business-focused. When I heard that I gasped out loud and whispered, “yes!” I needed to know more. I immediately started researching and the more I read the more my gut told me this was where I belonged. I loved the emphasis Gonzaga puts on people, the course offerings sounded fascinating, and when I read the history of Gonzaga and saw they opened on my birth date (September 17th) I laughed and thought, okay, how many more signs do I need – this program is meant for me!

How has the program helped you in your current career so far? / What skills have you developed?

I am amazed how quickly I can take observations from the classroom and immediately put them into daily practices in my professional life. This graduate program has exposed me to different leadership practices and theories, but it has helped me hone skills like active listening, leaning into dialogue (not debate), and maintaining presence in the moment. I have implemented these in my professional life and have seen not only an improvement in myself as an employee, but this has positively affected the people around me as well.

What are you looking to get out of your degree? / What has your return on investment been? / What surprised you about the program?

When I started this program, I was excited but saw this simply as a steppingstone to advance in my career – literally checking a box to show I have a master’s degree. I did not expect it to be so transformative. Everything I have learned I can apply in my professional and personal life, and I am not exaggerating when I say it has made me a better person. I used to think there was one way to be a good leader, but this program has shown me that leaders need to be adaptable, and a core value of an adaptable leader is being open – to learning, to change, and to others’ opinions. I could completely switch careers and still apply all the skills I have learned in this program.

What was your experience with the faculty like?

I have been blown away by the level of care shown to me by the Gonzaga faculty. They are invested in making sure you are learning but they also care about you as a person – truly the Jesuit values at work.

Have you done an immersion? If so, what was your experience?

In general, travel changes you – it literally takes you to a new place and exposes you to different perspectives. The ORGL program is asynchronous and can be done from anywhere and I so appreciate that as a working professional. However, the classes I have taken with immersions have been my favorites. I have been amazed at how virtual classes can create a community within that class and the immersions are that same community but on a bigger level. I have visited the Gonzaga campus and now also Belgium because of immersions through this program. Every course in this program you will get out what you put in, but the immersion classes have been the most life-changing for me – both in experiences and the relationships formed.

What advice would you give to someone considering the ORGL program?

Do it. Seriously. This program has lit a fire in me I did not know had been dormant and honestly, because of the perspectives I have now and the skills I have developed, I do not ever see that fire going out. It is hard work but you will walk away with so much more than you would have thought possible. (Oh, and take ORGL 605 as your second class – it has an immersion to campus and helps you get to know the ORGL program – it can really help you shape the program to meet your needs!)