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