Writing and Research for Master's Degree Students asked in the M.Ed./Extension Forums at UMD Q&A Forum -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Writing and Research Clark B. Montgomery January 8, 1999 SELF ASSESSMENT

Background For an M.Ed. Extension cohort who will be celebrating his 35th high school reunion this year, reflecting on the past requires a little more effort than what would be required of a more reasonably aged graduate student. Not only is there more ground to cover, but after all this time, some of its getting pretty hazy. In any event, I grew up in Colorado and graduated from Colorado State University in 1973 with a B.S. in Agronomy. From then until moving to Minnesota in 1986, I worked as a private agricultural consultant in NW Nebraska. The agricultural consulting field is a mentally and physically demanding profession. To be successful requires current and in-depth technical competency, personal communication skills, strong business acumen and a good set of legs. Although writing was an important part of my responsibilities, it was primarily limited to technical reports and assessments. Joining the Minnesota Extension Service in 1986, I have since served as an Extension Educator in Beltrami County, Minnesota. As a public educator focusing on agriculture and natural resource/environmental protection issues, I have made good use of my past educational and professional experiences. While my extension position is not physically demanding, as compared to consulting, it does require equal or greater technical competency and certainly much better oral and written communication skills. Writing is a major obligation of this vocation and the range of topics and styles addressed are as diverse as the audiences served. Typical writings within a years activities will include grant proposals, project reports, research reports, office assessments, personal assessments, and a litany of educational materials involving curriculums, newsletters, columns, news releases and handouts. If nothing else, Extension has afforded me the opportunity to work on my writing skills.

Professional Issues of Interest In spite of strong links to the technical applications of physical science, my real interests involve Public Policy Decisionmaking. Although technical knowledge is not exactly a hindrance, successful efforts involving Public Policy determination are largely the result of educator skills and communication effectiveness. Common sense and intuition are also helpful attributes. My position and role as Extension Educator has afforded opportunities to have been involved with, and instrumental in, resolving several local public policy issues. I find this to be an exciting, challenging, and satisfying role for myself. Involvement in these activities are not without considerable risk. So far, I have experienced only success. Perhaps failure, and it will happen, will dampen my enthusiasm.

Professional Goals Pursuing my professional interests, on a scale that allows for expansion beyond what my current situation allows, will require three accomplishments. Those include the need to develop greater knowledge and skills as an educator, to develop greater ability as a communicator, and to have the educational credentials that will permit demonstration of my abilities and talents. I fully expect completion of the M.Ed. program to satisfy those requirements. Although I have only been involved with the program for less than a year, the courses and activities completed have already enhanced my educator and communication skills. I can actually see that happening and expect much greater gains by the programs completion. Once completed, I expect a graduate degree to open doors that, within this and similar organizations, are currently closed.

Thesis Project Due to enrollment in the M.Ed. Extension Cohort Program, I am fortunate to have become acquainted and professionally involved with Sue Damme, Minnesota Extension Service Staff Development Leader. It is within the broad area of staff development that I will make exploration regarding the thesis project. More specifically, three areas of effort are already occurring involving staff orientation, staff mentoring and staff diversity education/training. It is likely these efforts will be involved with the thesis project.

-- Clark B. Montgomery (cmontgomery@extension.umn.edu), January 07, 1999

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