Annie Prafcke

I had a unique experience with the Harvard Extension School. When I started the journalism program, I had multiple part-time jobs. While studying with HES, I got a full-time job and then later moved to the Boston area, where I worked at the Harvard Division of Continuing Education computer labs for roughly the last year of my program.

Because I made so many life changes while completing my master’s, I had to be adaptable and use my time wisely. I took summer classes and January classes when my work schedule allowed it.

The time commitment was significant, but it kept me on track and allowed me to have a lighter course load at times when I knew I would be busier. Taking on more classes at the beginning allowed me to have a lighter load at the end of my program. For example, I did not take any other classes while completing my capstone.

Careful planning was also paramount. I tracked my credits each semester and checked in with my advisor regularly.

My Harvard Extension School courses taught me that when I step out of my comfort zone, I am capable of accomplishing more than I thought possible.

For an assignment in a journalism course, I had to write an article about the James Webb Space Telescope’s newest image of the early universe. I needed to complete the article the same evening it was assigned. I didn’t have any experience with science writing, and I had no immediate contacts in the field.

I wasn’t used to cold contacting people at an agency as prestigious as NASA. But after several cold emails, I was thrilled to get in contact with a NASA deputy senior project scientist who was generous enough to answer my questions. It was exciting to have the privilege to speak with someone directly involved in the project.

I learned that even under time pressure, I can work through challenges and produce quality work.

Sometimes stepping out of my comfort zone meant taking a class that felt out of my depth. I took a film editing class in which I had to edit a scene using footage from a “Law & Order: SVU” episode. I had done a bit of film editing in college, but I felt intimidated by the idea of editing a scene from a famous TV show.

Yet, with the guidance of my instructors and lots of practice, I ended up creating a successful continuity edit. From that experience, I realized my dream to create a documentary might not be so crazy.

I started my program with HES expecting the coursework to be rigorous. I expected Harvard to challenge me. These expectations were met. There were many days when I came home from a long workday and had to almost immediately log in to a class meeting. I pulled several all-nighters, knowing I would still have to make it to work at 8 a.m. the next day.

I found HES online classes to be incredibly engaging. I almost always had interesting discussions that left me with something new to consider.

What I did not expect was how much I enjoyed online learning. As an undergraduate, I loved being on a college campus because it offered a strong sense of community. I was worried that enrolling in a primarily virtual program would mean I would miss out on that aspect of my education.

However, I found HES online classes to be incredibly engaging. I almost always had interesting discussions that left me with something new to consider. I frequently met virtually with professors and classmates outside of class hours and got to know a few very well.

HES also provided me with the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with a diversity of students. I met students from Australia, Pakistan, and states across the U.S. From school teachers joining class meetings on their breaks to professional actors striving to learn a new skill to single mothers advancing their careers, everyone in my classes offered a unique perspective.

I’m grateful to HES for introducing me to these thoughtful, interesting people and for connecting me to a community that shares my passion for learning.

Describe your Extension experience in one word.

Enriching.