Image description: A woman with brown hair and a black shirt is smiling and looking directly at the camera. Her head is pressed against her goldendoodle, a dog with white and golden curls and a brown nose and mouth. The dog is wearing a green collar and is looking away from the camera. The two subjects are sitting on a chair made of natural fibres, against the backdrop of grey bricks and a tan-coloured exterior of a house.
Welcome back to Grad Blog! This week, I sat down with Kylie Rafter to talk about what’s made her stay at 鶹’s. She’s a second-year master’s degree student in the Faculty of Education.
This is her second degree at 鶹’s and is hoping to get her third (a PhD in Education). I asked her: “Kylie, what excites you the most about grad school?”
Kylie: “It’s the opportunity to converse with peers about topics that are important to me in my classes. I’m a student who always raises my hand first when asked a question, and being in grad school has given me a space to share ideas and see different perspectives.”
And I agree! I don’t believe I’m saying this now, but I miss the times where I still had classes; two-hour seminars where discussions were informed by various and often interdisciplinary voices. In my conversations with her, Kylie is often outgoing and I could imagine students enjoying classes with her.
With one degree down, and another on the way, I was curious what she wanted to do after school. Ecstatically, she said her dream was to be a professor for Bachelor of Education students––and such a fitting pathway for students passionate about their field of research and practice, as Kylie is also a teacher.
She’s pictured with her goldendoodle, Sully, and not in the picture, although especially important to her, is her husband. She says that “being with them fills her cup, and that they’re the reason for all that she does.” So, new students, remember to balance the academic, professional, and personal aspects of your life. This reminded me of advice I received: “the degree is a marathon, not a sprint.” Do it well, and in Kylie’s case, do it surrounded by those you love.
Speaking of close relationships, Kylie’s role model is her younger sister because of her “resilience, courage, and tenacity in life.” Another female role model to her is Malala, whom she looks up to in the field of Education.
鶹’s has been more than just a school for Kylie. It’s been a community where peers are always there to help you, a place where you get inspired, and a school that has the best HOCO (homecoming). Kylie shared her amazing Oil Thigh experience in her first year where the street was just full of people and energy. Something you won’t get outside of 鶹’s.
Fun fact: Kylie is really good with names (which helps as a teacher)––don’t forget to tell her yours when you two meet!