April 3, 2023
Following in his parents’ footsteps, Jacob Alley is looking forward to entering a rewarding career when he finishes his education degree at Shawnee State University.
“I originally chose this major because both of my parents were/are involved in the education field and I always felt like teaching would be something I would enjoy as I am a very social person,” he said. “However, I did not start out in education. I came into college as a Political Science major with plans to attend law school. Although I truly enjoyed and did well in my Political Science classes and still believe I would enjoy this profession, after my first semester, I decided to switch to education.”
In the classroom, Alley feels he’s been prepared to enter the classroom right after graduation.
“At the time, my thought was that education was a good ‘backup plan’ should my desire to attend law school change,” he said. “After switching my major to Middle Childhood Education (4-9) with concentrations in Mathematics and Social Studies, I quickly found that this was where I was supposed to be. I have loved my time in SSU’s School of Education. I feel I have been prepared well and have loved all of the classroom experience I have been given throughout these 4 years, specifically throughout my methods and student teaching experience during my senior year.”
Being a male entering the teaching field, Alley is confident in his role in the classroom.
“When I decided to switch to education, I never thought about the fact that it was a female-dominated major and have certainly never allowed that to stop me from pursuing my studies in this field to their fullest extent,” he said. “I feel that males have a lot to offer to education and are certainly needed in this field. Anyone, whether they are male or female, should definitely consider majoring in education to become a teacher. It is an extremely rewarding profession and one that I am very much looking forward to embarking on when I graduate this April.”
Graduating this semester, Alley is thankful for all who have pushed him to succeed on campus.
“There have been a multitude of factors that have been helpful to my success at SSU,” he said. “First and foremost, I am so thankful to God for blessing me throughout my college experience. Without Him, any accomplishment I have achieved during these 4 years would not have been possible. Through His blessing and many generous scholarship donors, I have been blessed to complete my undergraduate studies entirely debt free. Aside from that, I would say my own discipline, organization, and communication skills have helped me find a successful balance between my studies, a social life, work, campus and community involvement, and all of the other responsibilities and obligations of life.”
On and off campus, Alley has found support that has made a huge impact on his time at SSU.
“Additionally, my family, my advisor, my professors in the School of Education, my bosses, my peers, and my friends have all contributed to a successful college experience for me at SSU,” he said. “I have been blessed with so many wonderful opportunities, lessons, experiences, memories, and connections throughout these four years thanks to a culmination of all the mentioned individuals’ contribution to me and my education inside and outside of the classroom. The person I was when I entered college and the person who will walk across the stage in April are not the same. I have grown so much throughout these past four years, and I will forever be grateful for my time as a Shawnee State Bear. Because of all of the mentioned contributors to my success in college, I feel eager and confident to embark on a fulfilling career where I can make a positive contribution, regardless of any preconceived ideas relating to gender.”
Collaborating with the Office of Career Services, SSU’s Women’s & Gender Equity Center is celebrating students who “Flip the Script” on gender stereotypes and enter the programs they are passionate about. Throughout the week, the center will be sharing several spotlights to encourage others to “Flip the Script”.