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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

University of Charleston (WV) - New Job

Sometimes things happen to force us down a path we know we should have been on already. Back in May, I was laid off from my job at GamePlan Technologies.  It wasn't a surprise.  I was pretty sure it was coming and had started looking for another job in spring.  I looked at various teaching positions for sports admin programs and/or jobs at universities or in college towns so that I could pursue my PhD.  Teaching full-time is something I've been saying I wanted to do for the last three years.  

I found a posting for the University of Charleston (www.ucwv.edu) in February, but didn't post for it at that time.  In May, I did post for it and was called in for an interview the next week.  I fell in love with the program and the staff!  It's a practical, real-world program that has a huge amount of potential, and a lot of the staff have had a great deal of entrepreneurial success, which I love.  I have a lot of ideas for the program and how I would like to see it grow.  I've also already started speaking to people in my network about internships for the students, ideas for projects, and information for class content.  

I'm very excited to start my new job on Friday as a professor and program coordinator for the University of Charleston's sports administration program.  If I hadn't been laid off, I wouldn't have pursued my dream of teaching full-time for several more years.  Sometimes the things that happen in our careers that seem unpleasant are really serendipitous.  We just need to make sure we're receptive to those moments and take advantage of them. 

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Michelle:

Love the blog! I wish you all the best in your new position, I am sure you will love it. Once you get settled, let's talk about getting our students from the different institutions to work together on something.

Cordially,
Chrystal Denmark Porter, Ph.D., Ed.S.
Assistant Dean of Sport Science/Chair of Sport Management
Endicott College

Anonymous said...

Many congrats, Michelle.

Best of luck with the new position!!

Anonymous said...

The best advice I've ever received is that "things happen for a reason". Congrats on the new position, will you still be blogging?

MW said...

Thanks for the comments. I still plan on blogging. I have a list of future topics saved in my drafts, so it's not like I lack for anything to say (and people who know me can attest to that. :)

Balindy said...

Michelle:

I liked the blog and it sounds like you are in a great situation, too.

From what I read it sounds like you and I are similar in terms of career aspirations. I have felt for a long time that I would like to return for a Ph.D. and become a University professor. I want to gain more experience first and it has been difficult breaking into the industry. Glad to hear things worked out for you and hopefully some karma will work its way over here.

Unknown said...

Very well indeed. It was kind of the same route for me, I had been previously made redundant from a local firm I worked for 6 years, and being an athletic person I decided to teach sport full time.

Over here in the UK we have the Job Centre Plus (http://jobcentreplusuk.co.uk/sports-related-jobs.htm) which helps you a great deal in finding the perfect placement, and without much effort was placed onto a great scheme. Suprising how 1 page on a website and a quick phone call can get things moving so rapid. Now I've been at it for a few weeks and am as happy as can be, plus looking forward immensly to developing some great regimes for the kids to follow.

I wish you all the best!

MW said...

Wood -- Thank you so much. I'm glad you've also found enjoyment in teaching. Where are you teaching and what subjects?

Best of luck to you and your students!

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