From Elementary Teacher to Academic Advisor: Emily Boyd’s Journey Back to NC State

Early in her career, Emily Boyd recognized that she enjoyed supporting students as a cheerleader. After spending a decade as an elementary school teacher and then taking several years to raise her own children, she felt a strong desire to return to the field of education.

“I always wanted to work in higher education, specifically at NC State,” Boyd shared. “I worked as a teacher for 10 years and then started staying home with my small children. I kept coming back to the thoughts of how do I get to become an academic advisor.”

Her research directed her to the cohort-style, online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in College Counseling and Student Development at NC State. The program’s evening class schedule and online format would accommodate her family responsibilities while also providing the foundation she needed for academic advising. It seemed like the perfect fit, and the interview process confirmed her decision.

“After the interview, I felt like I really wanted to be a part of the NC State community. I was so excited to be accepted into the program,” Boyd explained.

Building Community Through Virtual Connection

The M.Ed. in College Counseling program at NC State fosters an environment where students can fully engage with their learning experience while maintaining their personal and professional commitments. As a busy mother of four, Boyd found this particularly important as she navigated the challenges of graduate school with young children at home.

“Being a part of a cohort, I have been able to get to know and learn from a group of people who are all going through the same thing within the program,” she explained. “We see one another during the week during class virtually, but also communicate through text and email daily.”

This sense of community extended far beyond academic collaboration. “If I was having a hard week, one of my colleagues was there to empathize, listen or make me laugh. There were many nights I would be on the phone with a classmate just talking about life, assignments and the future. It felt like a family.”

Boyd found that the program offered more than just academic rigor. It provided a supportive environment where students could explore deeper themes of purpose and professional identity in an encouraging setting. “From the first interaction I had with the faculty during the interview process, I knew they cared for their students and wanted them to succeed,” she shared.

Balancing Life, Family and Graduate Coursework

Many graduate students have to juggle family responsibilities while pursuing their degrees, but few will face welcoming their fourth child during the program!

“When I found out I was accepted into the M.Ed. program at NC State, I was 8 weeks pregnant with my fourth child. I have to say that I had thoughts about how I would complete the program with so much going on,” she reflected. “I am lucky to have a great support system surrounding me.”

The support came from multiple sources. Her husband took over bedtime duties on Wednesday nights and extended family stepped in to help with childcare during classes and when assignments were due. Boyd emphasized the importance of the program’s built-in emphasis on emotional well-being.

“The faculty in the M.Ed. program really want to make sure all of their students are practicing self-care,” Boyd noted. “I believe that there is an assignment centered around self-care in most every class you take.”

The program’s structure also supported work-life balance through organization and clear expectations. “The syllabus for each class was organized in a way that we knew when assignments were due and what was expected of us for each week. This made it easy to put into a Google Calendar and make use of good time management,” Boyd explained.

Experience in the Online College Counseling Program

The online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in College Counseling and Student Development is designed specifically for counseling professionals working in higher education. This three-year, part-time cohort program equips graduates for counseling and advising positions in student service agencies at colleges and universities, including counseling centers, advising offices and career services.

“The M.Ed. in Counseling program prepared [me] with the necessary education in counseling theories and techniques, as well as how to be a culturally competent counselor. Every assignment was purposeful,” she explained. “Working in advising, I have been able to use counseling skills firsthand with my students.”

Currently working as an academic advising intern in the Computer Science Department within the College of Engineering, Boyd has witnessed the direct application of her graduate training. “Advising is a great balance of knowing university policies and procedures and being a trusted person for students to come to. Through practicum and internship, I have been able to build rapport with my students and work with an amazing advising team,” she explained.

She greatly appreciated the mentorship she received from her supervisor, ToniAnn Marini, and her colleague, Ashley Hamilton. “I feel really blessed to have worked with Ms. ToniAnn Marini and Mrs. Ashley Hamilton who are both phenomenal academic advisors. They have taught me many things about advising and been wonderful mentors,” she said.

Several faculty members made a lasting impression on Boyd, including Angie Smith, Christina Braga, Rolanda Mitchell and Terri Tilford. “Every faculty member I have met in the M.Ed. program has been inspiring to me,” she said. “They all presented real-life scenarios and case studies in class that challenged us as students to see how we would handle situations if we were the counselors.”

Professor Angie Smith holds special significance, having taught both Boyd’s first and final classes in the program. “Dr. Smith is one of the most caring individuals you will ever meet. She is always eager to answer questions, be a support, and help her students make connections with other people.”

Advocacy, Growth and Giving Back Through the Online M.Ed. in College Counseling

For those considering a career in counseling or thinking about continuing their education, Boyd offered enthusiastic encouragement: “I would absolutely encourage anyone who is questioning if they are capable of doing the online program to do it,” she explained. 

“If you are passionate about counseling, mental health and advocacy, and want a program that is flexible and supportive, then the NC State M.Ed. online program is the place to be!”

Walking across the stage at the College of Education in-person commencement ceremony held special significance for Boyd and her family. “I am excited to see my cohort friends and the counseling faculty! My family is also coming to watch me graduate. My kids are excited to watch their mom walk across the stage,” she shared.

The ceremony was a particularly meaningful part of the experience for Boyd, and she hopes that it will leave a lasting impression on her children. “I hope that by seeing me graduate, they will be inspired to pursue their dreams, whatever they will be,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Boyd hoped to secure a permanent academic advising position at NC State, where she could continue supporting students’ academic and personal growth. “I am hopeful to find an advising job at NC State cheering on more students to reach their goals!”

Reflecting on her journey with the university, through different phases of her life, she had this to say: “NC State is a special place to me. It is where I learned to be an adult in undergraduate school. It is where I came to graduate school to continue my education and pursue my dreams. It is where I worked to help current undergraduate students. I am proud to be part of the PACK!”

Interested in learning more about the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in College Counseling program? Visit the NC State Online programs page to explore this and other flexible, online options for working professionals and non-traditional students.