Mika Low

Why FSU?

The Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies Program (ISLT) in the College of Education continues to be prestigious in the field of education and training design. Many generations of students who came before me spoke highly of the program and the faculty and staff. I'm privileged to be able to learn and contribute ideas alongside fellow classmates who hail from various parts of the world.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

I come from Singapore, where education and training is highly valued. There is a strong belief in the foundations of knowledge-building to enhance organizational effectiveness. Hence, pursuing a graduate degree in ISLT helps my organization to stay ahead in the field, especially with the latest trends in education.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

Based on my experience having gone through two semesters so far, the work and assignments have helped me build a good foundation in education. In addition, it has allowed me to better appreciate the complexities of driving educational change in a professional setting. I look forward to learning more so that the knowledge gained can be plowed back to the organization.

Describe an aspect of your military service that is especially memorable or exceptional

Training soldiers is an especially meaningful endeavor. Besides imparting knowledge, we also watch them grow up and learn to operate effectively in teams. The experience of building future generations of leaders through military work was profound and valuable.

Tell us how your military service provided skills and experiences that you were able to apply to your graduate studies

Military work and training has a unique set of challenges, given the risks we undertake with the equipment we use. This experience has exposed me to various training systems and methodologies. Coming into a graduate setting, it has allowed me to evaluate how effective they are in serving organizational training needs, especially a large one like the military.

Career Aspirations

As a military professional, it is in our psyche to place country before self at all times. In terms of career aspirations, I hope to make meaningful contributions in army training plans and policies, specifically in the areas of enhancing training through learning analytics.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Anyone considering graduate school may be concerned with the academic rigor of their program. Personally, I found it more engaging when selecting courses/projects/assignments that are either relevant to your profession or aligned with personal aspirations. I find that this approach keeps learning relatable, useful, and sometimes fun, too.