Need help writing that application essay?

Here is a terrific site (one that you will likely get to know if you join our program!). The Owl at Purdue is an online writing center with a variety of terrific resources. This page will help you craft your application essay:

Writing the personal statement

You can do this!

Harriet

Reporting In from Internship

This from second-year student Pam Coudriet, of UPMC Human Resources:

The goal of my internship is to reduce turnover, improve employee engagement, and increase patient satisfaction by working with the front line staff at a cancer care facility in Pittsburgh. Part of the internship involved collecting data in two tiers; an online survey to measure “where we’re at” and an in depth root cause analysis that involved shadowing front line staff. I expected to learn about their jobs, record their complaints, and take detailed notes on the experiences they face each day.

As a result of my root cause analysis investigation, I was able to do all of those things – however, the largest impact on me had nothing to do with what I expected. Listening to these front line staff members talk about their patients was incredibly inspirational. There is a general consensus that they know they need to treat patients like they would their own family; sometimes, patients actually are family members of staff members. Other times, they keep in mind that the patients are someone’s family and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect during a frightening time in their life. They told me stories about the direct impact file clerks with no patient interaction made, going to patient funerals, and making patients feel welcome and important each time they entered the building.

While I do not work directly in patient care, this experience has impacted the way I work and interact with people. I try to heed Plato’s advice: “be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”. Be it cancer or a tough day, I try to keep in mind that everyone is struggling with something and a little kindness can go a long way. I had not anticipated that an internship could teach this, but this will – by far – be the most valuable lesson I am taking away from the experience.

More than I bargained for…..in a good way.

Prior to applying to the PRL program at Carlow, I had been searching for a number of years to find the right university and the right graduate program for me. As it often is with most people, the timing never seemed right. I was either too busy at work or too busy with family. I knew that getting a masters degree would benefit my career in the long run and I even worked for a company willing to pay for it, but still I struggled with making the commitment.

After finding the PRL program at Carlow and I knew that I had found the program that was worth me making the commitment, worth me taking the time away from my family, worth the long hours and late nights of studying and writing papers. The coursework looked interesting to me, aligned with my career path, and would help get me where I wanted to go professionally. In hindsight, I believe that I was looking to learn a lot and then “check the box” that I have a Masters degree.

As it turned out, the PRL program has meant so much more to me than the piece of paper I will be walking away with in a few weeks. I didn’t just “learn about leadership” during the program, I truly transformed my thinking on so many topics and levels. I established long lasting relationships with women that I grew deep respect for over the last two years. And through those women, I was pushed to see leadership in my work, in my community, and in my life in ways that I hadn’t considered before.

As I work through my last few weeks in the PRL program, I have mixed feelings of relief, sadness, excitement, and fear. Relief that the writing of papers and other various school deadlines will be over, sadness because I will not be seeing my classmates and professors with regularity anymore (and because I will deeply miss our insightful conversations and respectful debates), excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead of me, and fear of not meeting all of the new personal expectations that I have set for myself.

It has been an amazing two year journey and one that has changed me forever for the better. The PRL program and all of the people that were part of my journey have helped me to want to be a better person and leader. They have supported me, encouraged me, and challenged me to think deeper and broader than I ever thought that I could. And I thank each and every one of them for making this experience more than I bargained for!!

Kim Martin, Second-year student

Senior Performance and Learning Consultant, Eaton Corporation

Photo: Kim working with a horse at the Unbridled Performance experiential learning program

Sports Leadership -- new concentration!

We are delighted to announce a second new concentration in PRL. The sports leadership concentration will focus on leading athletic departments on the scholastic and collegiate levels, as well as other amateur and community sports organizations.

This concentration will serve people who seek to begin a career in athletic administration as well as those who seek further credentialing for coaching and administrative positions.

Students will take the leadership core courses as well as three new classes “Athletics in Context,” “Athletic Departments and Sports Organizations,” and “Psychology of Motivation.” Students will complete an internship in a local athletic department or organization.

Coursework taken for this concentration will fulfill Act 48 credits for teachers.

We are now taking applications for the January cohort!

Grad open house, and application fee waived!

Hi All, There are two Graduate Open House programs scheduled for folks interested in graduate study at Carlow. The first is this Thursday, and the second in November. Here's the info:

October 15, 2009
and
November 19, 2009

6:00 pm - Registration
6:30 pm - Program

A.J. Palumbo Hall of Science and Technology
(corner of 5th and Craft Avenues in Oakland)

• Talk to faculty and admissions staff
• Attend a financial aid information session
• Apply for admission
• Obtain an application fee waiver ($35 value)

arts leadership -- new concentration

We are proud to announce the addition of two new concentrations to the PRL program, arts leadership and sports leadership.

Today's feature is the new arts leadership track.

The arts leadership concentration is designed for people working in arts organizations who seek a master’s degree to further their careers.

This track is also a viable and rich option for working artists and others who wish to transition into a career in an arts organization.

The arts leadership track provides a bridge for people aspiring to work in the various areas of arts leadership including: human resources, community and public relations, operations, and development. This program also provides preparation for those seeking mid-level generalist opportunities as well as director and chief-level positions.

Students will take courses addressing fundraising and finance, management of non-profits, an arts leadership seminar, and the leadership core courses.

Students will also engage in a 16-week internship in an arts organization, gaining valuable experience and networking contacts.

PRL G-20 panel

Sr. Pat McCann addresses Carlow PRL students and alumni

Last night we held our G-20 panel. The event included a terrific roster of panelists. Dr. Allyson Lowe, political scientist, set the stage by giving us an overview of the G-20 and what having it here in Pittsburgh might mean for us. Sr. Pat McCann discussed the importance of the G-20 in terms of bringing to the forefront issues of poverty and peace. She also provided her perspective on the role of protest. Paula Harris, of the Pittsburgh ACLU, also gave context to the role of protests and the tensions between perceived security vis-a-vis government control and civil liberties. And Joyce Rothermel, CEO of the Greater Pgh Food Bank, discussed issues of poverty, particularly the right to food, as well as power, and forms of activism.

Students, alumni, and other guests asked a range of stimulating and important questions. All students who are taking PRL 713 (Leadership and Ethics) will continue this dialog on line this week, I look forward to hearing their thoughts on the panel and the issues raised.

cheers all!

Harriet