Dr. Randall Cuthbert
Associate Professor of Emergency & Disaster Management at American Public University
In what seem both an eternity and a short lifetime ago—1977, to be precise—I visited a friend who was studying for his Master’s in Fisheries at Oregon State University. I had, to that point, disdained the idea of higher education in favor of trying to forge adequate support for my salmon fishing obsession through manual labor alone. But four years out of high school, I was finally tired and frustrated about my lack of progress through the ranks (pretty much none) and so it led me to the conclusion that I would need to get educated to make anything out of myself.
So I went into my friend’s office where he demonstrated for me the economic alternatives of stocking a lake with 6-inch trout vs. stocking it with 10-inch trout—exciting stuff (he became a banker). I asked him what field of study would guarantee me a good-paying job on graduation, and he said: “Engineering.” And that’s pretty much the reason I became an engineer.
His advice proved to be good. After attaining my Bachelor’s in Engineering, I had a fine career as an Air Force engineer and retired from that after putting in my 20 years. Along the way, I picked up my own Master’s in Systems Management.
Throughout my career, I would tell anyone who asked that the great opportunities in life began when I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, and I’ve never wavered from that assessment. Similarly, I attained my master’s degree to achieve advancement within the profession, but during that process, something unexpected happened; I began to see my participation in our society as something more than my own economic interests. I began to understand that I was making a contribution to our society as a whole and had some responsibility for making sure that happened.
After retirement, I went on to get my Ph.D. in Human Science/Social Transformation/Peace and Conflict Resolution. I did it solely for myself, with no thought of using it for any particular career. Of course, it unexpectedly did lead to a career as an associate professor, teaching Emergency & Disaster Management for American Public University.
You probably recognize and identify with the motivation associated with my first two degrees, and ascribe to them yourself. If you’re in a bachelor’s program, you’re probably looking to attain a set of knowledge, skills, and abilities that will allow you to enter into the profession of your choice. If you’re in a master’s program, you’re probably seeking to advance yourself within your chosen profession. These are honorable motives.
But life and career are so much more. Education can support career attainment, but along the way it affects your ability to understand and impact things as diverse as climate change, community resilience, social justice, and environmental stewardship. Powerful! Understanding how being cognizant of and integrating these features of modern society into your career plan will enhance your career opportunities, while at the same time exercising and fulfilling your responsibilities as an educated member of our society.
I’ll delve deeper into these topics in future posts at this blog. Your questions, feedback, and suggestions will always be welcome, and I will do my best to respond to all. I can be reached at randall.cuthbert@mycampus.apus.edu.
Onward and upward!
About the Author: Dr. Randall Cuthbert is an associate professor of Emergency & Disaster Management at American Public University. He currently lives somewhere in tornado alley.
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