• Clinic Manager, Sonus Hearing Care Professionals (West St. Paul, MN)

MSU: Why did you choose Missouri State for your graduate studies?

MH: When I decided to pursue a doctorate degree in audiology, I looked at four universities – three public and one private.

When I toured the facilities, I was impressed with the research equipment and space available. I felt safe and comfortable in the Springfield community and found the academic, research and clinic environments in my department to be at or above those available at the other universities. My final decision to attend was based on my tour, the multidisciplinary approach of the program, the faculty, and the overall monetary value of both the undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the nonmonetary values I discovered is that classes are largely taught by faculty and not by student teaching assistants.

MSU: How did Missouri State help ease the transition from full-time professional to full-time student?

MH: During that first year, as a nontraditional student, I relied on the librarians to show me the new computerized method of exploring research articles. Taylor Health and Wellness Center staff provided outstanding medical services. Faculty members in other departments provided additional study guides for me as a nontraditional student who was not fresh out of high school courses. Dr. Neil DiSarno, the CSD department head, was my research advisor, and he provided outstanding support and direction.

MSU: Did you have the opportunity to work one-on-one with your professors?

MH: I found the faculty to be some of the most dedicated and hardest-working people anywhere. All are open to individual discussion, including areas of academic or clinical difficulty or identifying methods to work through the emotional rigors of a doctoral program. Sometimes the discussions involved ideas for changes in the program, for new student activity or about some quirky research model. I appreciated their candor and openness. I recognized the high demands on their time and learned a great deal from each of them.

MSU: How was the job-search process after you graduated with your degree?

MH: Looking for a job is an integrated part of my program. I was exposed to multiple prospective job sites during the internship and externship components of the program. The variety of practice settings available during these clinic rotations allowed great exposure to other professionals to seek guidance for possible job placements. My clinical experiences included the Missouri School for the Deaf, St. John’s Audiology in Joplin, three private practice ENT and audiology clinics, Mayo Clinic Audiology in Rochester, Minn., and a regional hospital in southeast Iowa.

MSU: Any advice for prospective graduate students who are seeking a career change or advancement?

MH: My advice is to prepare a five-year plan, including details of what you expect to accomplish in graduate training, where you would like to apply those highly specialized skills and, most importantly, identify your support system.

MSU: What do you tell people about your experience at Missouri State?

MH: I am pleased that there are two students now attending Missouri State who I encouraged to take a look and compare the value of their potential outcome. Missouri State is an outstanding value for higher education and offers students of all ages the opportunity to excel. In today’s changing environment, Missouri State is positioned to expand its influence in the world and to develop world leaders. I am very proud to have gained my doctoral degree. I thank the leadership, faculty, staff and the many students I came to know for providing me with such fond memories.