With an Air Force position that required extensive traveling, King knew she needed to choose a graduate program that fit her educational needs while providing the flexibility required for her career and travels. After significant research of online graduate programs in security from across the country, King decided to pursue ASU Online’s Master of Arts in global security. While she found a handful of options with reputational credit, King chose ASU Online for their extensive research and accredited faculty portfolio.
“Security tends to be a military-heavy study, yet ASU held a diverse faculty with varying perspectives and experiences that could provide a well-rounded picture of the immensity of the field,” King said. “The course catalog offered unique paths that could meet a variety of specialties or interests, and their availability catered to both global security and cybersecurity disciplines.”
King is currently stationed in Guam with a 17-hour time difference from Arizona. She admits that holding a full-time job in another timezone while pursuing a degree can be a challenge, but with the right mindset and time management, she has successfully balanced her education and career.
“The best practice I’ve had is to dedicate a predetermined number of hours on specific dates throughout the week for schoolwork based on deadlines,” King explained. “During those hours, that’s your main focus. Outside your school work hours, your focus can be work, family and friends or hobbies that recharge you.”
With her busy schedule, King also accredits the support she’s received from her academic advisor, success coach and professors to her success in the program.
“The faculty has been incredible in maintaining flexibility throughout my short-notice deployments and tours,” King said. “They’ve provided read-ahead coursework and have modified pre-communicated deadlines to support my education while adjusting to real-world complications. I simply couldn’t have asked for a better support team from ASU.”
While King sought out a program with this flexibility and communication, she admits that she wasn’t expecting the level of support that she received for her guiding faculty.
“Coming from a large university with an egregious student-to-faculty ratio, I wasn’t sure what to expect regarding interactions and feedback,” King said. “This team certainly raised the standard and showed me what true dedication to students’ success and growth could look like. I can’t thank them enough for their time and commitment.”
The master’s in global security program is a stepping stone for the plans King has for her future. Once she graduates, she plans to continue her career in the Air Force with aspirations to pursue a PhD.
“With a PhD, I’d love to pay forward the experience my professors have provided me by serving as an instructor at the United States Air Force Academy,” King said. “If the opportunities align, my pinnacle assignment would be a security strategy position within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.”
As King prepares to move on to the next chapter of her life, she knows her goodbye will be bittersweet.
“I’ve received more tailor-made feedback and instruction during my time in the global security program than in any previous scholastic experience,” King said. “Though I’m excited about the opportunities ahead with a master’s degree from ASU, I’m sad to close such an impactful chapter.”
King’s exemplary dedication to her education and country are at the forefront of her success. “Time is a finite gift, and we must be intentional to get the most out of it,” she said. As she continues to invest her time into her service and education, King demonstrates that with intention, discipline and determination, it’s possible to reach and surpass your goals.
