MASTER’S SPOTLIGHT — REMLYN A. GONGOB
Remlyn A. Gongbob, MAE Student
Remlyn A. Gongob’s undergraduate degree is in Mass Communication, which she earned in the Philippines in 1996. After graduating from college, she was offered an admission representative and marketing officer position for a tertiary information technology school in her hometown.Thirteen years ago, Remlyn moved to the United States and became an elementary teacher at a Catholic school here in New Jersey. With many Catholic schools closing, she did not like the feeling of uncertainty within the K-12 job market, so she started to explore her options in Higher Ed.
Currently, she teaches Religious Education to third grade students at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Montclair. Remlyn loves teaching since she is able to interact with children in a classroom setting. As it has been almost 20 years since she was a student herself, and with English as her second language, Remlyn’s graduate school experience has been a bit overwhelming but she has a passion for learning refuses to let anything stop her.
Although she has had several wonderful experiences in the program so far, Remlyn reflects on several learning experiences. “It’s the moments when I learn something new and realize that there is so much about Higher Ed. that I still have to learn about, and it is okay to admit that to my professors, colleagues, and classmates.”
As a staff member and as a graduate student in the College of Education and Human Services, Remlyn likes to think she has the best of both worlds. She is able to apply what she learns in classes to her work, and can share in class what she has been experiencing at work that is related to the discussion. Her Counseling Skills and American College Student courses have helped her understand that behind each student – and each person – is a story and a rationale; while her courses in Directed Research and Organization and Governance have allowed her to broaden her perception about the way universities work and how the external and internal constituencies make up these institutions.
Remlyn’s biggest advice to future and current master’s students is that while getting good grades is a priority, what truly matters is that when looking back, students make sure their experience and journey in SHU’s Higher Education and Student Affairs Master’s Program have been a worthwhile investment. She also shares that it is important to believe you can do the graduate schoolwork, and to take that mentality with you after you graduate. As for writing papers, she suggests to choose a topic that you are truly interested in because when you are vested in the subject, it will drive you to do the work.
Do you know of a Master’s Student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at Seton Hall University? HEGSA is now accepting nominations to be featured in our Student Spotlight section.
Are you looking for internship opportunities in higher education? If so, be sure to see the higher education program internship blog at http://blogs.shu.edu/hei/ for the latest information, forms, placement sites, and more. Please direct any inquiries regarding internships to Dr. Susan Arrigoni at susan.arrigoni@shu.edu.