The second week in Costa Rica has come to an end. This past weekend we went to Manuel Antonio National Park. We spent Saturday laying out at the beach, eating civiche, and relaxing. At one point a bunch of men began running to one side of the beach and were then followed by a truck. Of course we had to get in on the chismes, so we asked nearby onlookers what was happening. One lady told us that a parasailing cord broke and that a couple had flown toward the land before falling. No ne was certain what happened to the parasailors, but it was then that we decided not o do any water sports. It began to pour shortly after the incident, so we went to eat lunch. The rain did not stop until around nine at night. Although it rained, we had a good time shopping around and even squeezing in a small siesta.

Hello!

Hello!

Studying to become a coach for business leaders did not match what had I expected of graduate study. I hadn’t been to graduate school, but plenty of friends had told stories.

Of course, I expected to study hard, learn theories and techniques, and rely on memory and experience to synthesize ideas and see me through. But good coaches offer much more than smarts and tactics and models. In fact, the first lesson of the GCEC is learning the difference between knowledge and practice. If you’re considering a coaching ceritifcation program, you should expect that in addition to rigorous formal education, you are laying the foundation of a practice rather than simply acquiring skills and knowledge.

Education for practice

Before I was admitted to the seven-month Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching, I learned from my colleague Ann that she’d completed the program when it was two years in duration. Now, I love a challenge. And I wanted to get a lot out of this program. Ann’s a great coach. Was I missing something?

Before it was over, I did wish the program were longer. Not because it wasn’t rigorous and complete. I came to appreciate my instructors and classmates. Sometimes, the learning and the challenge of putting theory into practice made the assignments intense. And I was stimulated by the satisfaction of learning not just ideas, but ways to use what I learned.

Contributed By Margaret Hannah, Executive Director of the Freedman Center for Child and Family Development

If you're worried about the future, you're in good company. But it isn't company that's good for you. Not only are we still in a stubborn economic recession, we're in an expectations recession.

I am a part-time student in MSPP's Organizational Psychology & Leadership graduate program. The part-time program works really well for me with my full-time career and mobile, active lifestyle. I began in the program in August 2013 and anticipate graduating with a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Psychology in August 2015.

As tax day approached, so, too, did the deadline to respond to invitations graduate programs. I think back to a year ago when I was buried in my own decision-making process; I had spreadsheets, pro-con columns strewn about, and the counsel of friends and family. The factors included in my process were the following: