Adult Student Services is lucky to have a nontraditional student serving as our administrative graduate assistant. Jesica Boone took a few moments to share her experiences with us.
Jesica is originally from Springfield, Missouri, but graduated from Paris High School. While it was initially a culture shock to live somewhere so rural, she ultimately made good friends and enjoyed her time there. She spent time with her family, particularly her sister and grandmother, who she shared strong relationships with. It was until much later in her life that Jesica realized what a strong impact her grandmother had made on her. Her grandmother was a gardener and very artistic. Jesica added, “She was eccentric, but she was content and lived by her own rules. She encouraged me to be curious and she let me explore and experiment and make mistakes. She was also kind. To everyone, all the time, without being judgmental or placing her expectations on them…”
Jesica finds herself trying to do the same by caring for others, spending time outdoors with her husband, and working with stained-glass art. With her busy schedule, she wishes she had a bit more time for the latter.
Jesica graduated with her undergraduate degree from Missouri State University this past spring. Currently, she’s in her first year of the Audiology doctorate program. She plans to graduate with her doctorate in 2027.
Why Missouri State?
Prior to attending Missouri State, Jesica had taken classes at both Drury and Ozarks Technical College, where she ultimately earned her Associate’s degree. She struggled to commit to a degree path as she was interested in so many career options: architect, librarian, dietician. During COVID, it became clear that a change was necessary. Even though her job paid well, she was unable to take the time needed to care for family when facing significant health scares. MSU was a convenient option, affordable, and with the program Jesica decided she wanted to pursue – Communication Sciences and Disorders.
This program helps to prepare students for graduate studies in either speech pathology or audiology. Jesica believes that communication is the most underused tool in helping people to live happier, more fulfilling lives. “Intervention for children who need it can change the course of their lives. Poor communication skills affect a person’s socioeconomic status, health, relationships, social status; every aspect of their life, in one way or another. ”
This degree can lead to a broad range of career fields: education and literacy, healthcare, gender affirming care, entertainment, and more. And clients will range from young children to aging adults. “With so many career options, it’s important to keep an open mind,” she says, but is very interested in the medical aspects of the profession. Specifically, she’s drawn to working with ear/nose/throat teams or with cochlear implants. But at the moment, Jesica is taking advantage of the clinical trainings and externships and gaining hands-on experience within her doctoral program in the various emphasis areas.
Highlights and Challenges
Jesica has particularly enjoyed being back in Springfield, where she feels anchored with her family and support base. She’s been able to dive into her studies and enjoy her time at Missouri State. When asked about some of her favorite aspects, she shared that her instructors and professors have made positive impressions. “I’ve had some amazing professors who have wonderful field experience to draw from while teaching, and who are so passionate about the field and making sure their students succeed,” she added.
Final Thoughts
Jesica shares one last thought with us as she considered her full experiences at Missouri State,
“Something I have learned since working as a GA in Adult Student Services is that there are so many resources available that a lot of people don’t know about or don’t know can be beneficial to them. I missed out on a lot of things that could have been beneficial because I didn’t utilize the resources, including funding, that are available. Even if you aren’t sure if something is applicable for you, it never hurts to ask. “
If you’d like help exploring resources, schedule a meeting with Jesica.
Jesica, thank you for being a Bear and for all the work you do in Adult Student Services!
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