Jennifer Murphy

For some, graduate school paired with working full-time may seem overwhelming. Jennifer Murphy, Tennessee Tech’s Interim Director of Student Success for the College of Engineering and Licensed Professional Counselor, has not only accomplished this once, but she is currently working on her third degree!  

Murphy holds a MA in educational psychology & counselor education, an EdS in instructional leadership, and is currently working toward her PhD in higher education administration – all from Tech. As her education advanced, so did her career.   

“I worked a full-time job as a high school English teacher while I earned my master’s, and I worked full time as a school counselor while I earned my EdS,” Murphy explained.

Murphy first fell in love with Tech during her undergraduate experience.

“My undergrad experience at Tech was amazing, and I wanted that same experience as I pushed myself to learn even deeper,” she said.

As she continued her education, she not only became more equipped in her occupation, but also her life.

“My graduate degrees, collectively, offer me a more comprehensive lens to view my life through and give me the courage to face other difficult situations in my life,” Murphy continued. “The resiliency they have taught me is priceless.”

Murphy discussed that her parents influenced her drive to pursue higher education.

“My parents instilled in me a love of learning, so it was a natural progression for me to pursue a graduate degree, but from a practical standpoint, I got my first two graduate degrees to give me job flexibility within the K-12 school system,” Murphy stated. “I’m pursuing my PhD for that same love of learning, but this time I’m learning all about the institution that raised me.”

Her dedication to graduate school not only impacted her, but also her family.

“I love to learn, so the inspiration comes easily to me, but one of the bigger payoffs from pursuing those degrees was getting to inspire both my sons to love learning for themselves,” Murphy continued. “Watching me get those degrees has changed them, not just me, and that’s pretty inspiring as a parent.”

Murphy revealed that the hardest part of working and obtaining a graduate degree was feeling guilty for doing something for herself and not spending as much time with her family, but she overcame that by being open with her family.

“I had open, honest conversations with my family about the expectations I had placed on myself, and they completely understood and were very gracious toward me,” she continued. “Then, they helped me find ways to still work toward my degree but be with family when I could.”

Murphy offers advice to anyone considering graduate school but doubting their own ability.

“My advice to someone considering earning a graduate degree is simply make some time in your schedule, and take the first class,” she encouraged. “Much of the hesitation and self-doubt I felt each time I went back for another degree came from the anticipation, not the actual coursework – you’re more capable than you think.”

 She notes that Tech’s graduate programs stand out because of the professors who genuinely care about each student and their success.

“The professors in the graduate programs love the content they’re teaching, but they love me as a human first,” she explained. “You can get a graduate degree from anywhere, but you won’t find humans who care about student humans anywhere like you find them at Tech.”