Before pursuing a master’s degree in creative writing at Harvard Extension School (HES), I’d spent 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
I had been a senior executive at a Fortune 500 company for more than a decade, launching some of the most consequential brands in immuno-oncology and cardiovascular medicine.
Like many, I was profoundly affected by the pandemic. In its early days, I lost two family members. That experience of loss, coupled with ample time to reflect, led me to think more deeply about what I wanted from my life.
I was ready to focus on chasing joy, instead of professional titles or accolades. I’d always wanted to pursue my passion for writing as something more than a hobby; my inner voice was telling me to take that next step and study creative writing. That led me to Harvard Extension School.
Starting With One Harvard Course
Writing had long been my passion, and I realized this was my opportunity to take it more seriously. I decided to invest in my writing, but I wasn’t sure what that would look like yet. When I saw that Harvard Extension School offered standalone creative writing and literature courses with high-caliber faculty, I decided to enroll in one course to see how I liked it.
I absolutely fell in love. I felt alive and joyful in a new way. After that first class, I decided to go through the full admissions process and apply for the degree program. That’s one of the great things about Harvard Extension School; I could take a course before enrolling in the degree program. When I did decide to enroll, that first course also counted toward my degree.
The Impact of My Harvard Extension School Degree on My Career
I was pursuing this degree to develop my passion, but I was surprised by how unexpectedly this program impacted my career. Toward the end of my creative writing degree program, I applied for a teaching position at Arcadia University. I already had 10 years of teaching experience, including a former adjunct position at another university and thought I would be hired as a lecturer.
Instead, the school offered me a position as a professor. I am now assistant professor of marketing and one of only three non-Ph.D. faculty in the School of Global Business. I also teach business writing through Arcadia University’s English department and continue to serve as principal of my own marketing strategy and communications consultancy, New Path Ventures LLC. My Harvard degree allowed me to make that professional leap and to unite all my passions: writing, teaching, and marketing.
Finding a Creative Community
Beyond the career opportunities, HES’s creative writing degree program has given me an important creative community. Writing is very much a solitary activity, but you need other writers to critique your work to make you stronger. To establish this kind of community, I was looking for an authentic experience that allowed me to meet my classmates in person, while still having the flexibility to take classes that worked with my schedule. HES’s unique programming checked both boxes.
I formed strong relationships with my classmates through our online classes, and Harvard Extension School’s in-person writers’ residency gave me the opportunity to meet my peers in real life. Meeting them face-to-face allowed me to get to know them on an entirely different level.
During the writers’ residency, we didn’t just take classes together — we lived together in Harvard dorms, studied in Harvard’s libraries, and enjoyed Harvard Square. After our on-campus experience, my cohort felt even more connected. Even though we’re graduating soon, we’ll continue our monthly workshops, and we’re already planning reunions to get together in person. I feel incredibly fortunate that I’ve made creative friendships through this program that will continue long after graduation.
Harvard Extension School’s Flexibility
Harvard Extension School is designed for busy adults, and its accessible programming made this degree possible for me. HES is not easy, but it’s truly accessible. You can take classes from home — online, synchronously or asynchronously — or you can attend in person.
To me, there are three things that make Harvard Extension School stand out: its reputation, its high-caliber faculty and students, and its accessibility. Most schools offer one or two of those options — only HES offers all three.
To anyone considering Harvard Extension School, I would encourage you to listen to that inner voice. We all have one. Sometimes we listen, sometimes we don’t. I chose to listen this time, and it’s been a life-changing experience.
