{"id":801,"date":"2020-08-31T18:39:22","date_gmt":"2020-08-31T18:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/professional-studies\/?p=801"},"modified":"2023-11-30T14:56:34","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T14:56:34","slug":"sps-graduates-find-career-success","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/schools\/professional-studies\/2020\/08\/31\/sps-graduates-find-career-success\/","title":{"rendered":"SPS graduates find career success"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"jonas<\/a><\/p>\n

The Clark University School of Professional Studies<\/a> (SPS) focuses on practical education, delivering an academic experience grounded in the professional world. Strong belief in the power of leadership and effective practice has earned the school a reputation for providing excellent professional preparation to students at all stages in their careers.<\/p>\n

The outcomes of these graduates are testament to how the School of Professional Studies prepares its students for professional careers and how its commitment to deep and relevant experience creates positive results.<\/p>\n

\"Jennifer
Jennifer Ingham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After nearly a decade working in marketing and communications for social impact organizations, Jennifer Ingham<\/strong>, MSC \u201920, made the decision to launch her own consulting company, WordSpark Digital Consulting<\/a>, after earning her master\u2019s in communication<\/a> through SPS. Her Clark coursework helped focus her skills and experience to meet the business goals of others.<\/p>\n

\u201cReturning to the classroom after so long and being an active student at Clark University was such a valuable experience. I learned so much through getting to know and collaborate with students of all ages, backgrounds, and experience, and found immense value in the academic aspects of the program,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Ingham continues to work with local, regional, and national organizations that work to solve social challenges with innovative approaches, and praises Clark\u2019s inclusive environment. \u201cI felt like I belonged here, from the moment I started talking with the admissions team and throughout my year as a full-time graduate student. I am SO proud to have been part of the Clark community as a student, and now as an alumna \u2014 forever a Clarkie!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Ron<\/a>
Ron Pawelski<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At 70, Ron Pawelski<\/strong>, MPA \u201920, is this year\u2019s oldest graduate, proving that it\u2019s never too late to finish your degree. He has been an elder care advocate for more than 15 years and is currently the president of the Massachusetts Association of Residential Care Homes<\/a> (MARCH), where he focuses on legislative advocacy as a lobbyist, sets strategic direction, and develops public awareness of the industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess you could say that I believe in delayed gratification,\u201d he says about returning to Clark after more than 30 years to finish his master’s in public administration<\/a>. \u201cGetting my degree represented a second chance to do something \u2014 almost a bucket list opportunity for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pawelski praises Clark\u2019s faculty and staff for providing the opportunity and encouragement he needed to complete his degree.\u00a0 \u201cClark\u2019s program had a huge \u2018wow\u2019 factor associated with it \u2014 it introduced me to current and up-and-coming leaders in the community. It was great to be in a team setting where I was the oldest person in the class, working with people at the beginning of their careers,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Tianbao Mei<\/strong>, MPA \u201920, believes the leadership skills he learned while at SPS provided the management experience he needed to succeed. Mei returned to China and secured a position as a production manager trainee with Everbright Bank in Beijing.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring my time at SPS I learned how to be a good leader \u2014 and what a good leader means to a team,\u201d he says. \u201cThe SPS program gave me the knowledge and courage I needed to get this job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more graduate student success stories from Clark\u2019s class of 2020:<\/em><\/p>\n