Career Services

This is an interview with Holly Chandler, a graduate of Southern Arkansas University and now an ELA teacher at Magnolia Middle School.

What would you say is the greatest source of inspiration at SAU?

For me, the greatest source of inspiration was the strong support system I had from my professors and my sorority sisters. The professors I encountered were invested in making sure we succeeded and encouraged us to push ourselves to be the best we could be. The women in my sorority brought me out of my comfort zone, pushed me to my limits, knowing that I could accomplish anything, and supported me in everything I did. This allowed me to build confidence in myself and my abilities and pushed me to pursue a career where I could make an impact.

Why did you choose your particular major over others?

I originally started as a pre-nursing student because I had always wanted to help people and make a difference in others’ lives. As I progressed, I realized nursing wasn’t necessarily for me, but that I was interested in understanding how people think, learn, and develop, which led me to switch to psychology. That decision ultimately led me to education, where I’m able to bring my passion for helping people and understanding them together and create a career where I strive to make a meaningful impact on my students every day.

What clubs, organizations, or extracurriculars were you involved in?

During my time at SAU, I was extremely involved in my sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha, and the College Panhellenic Council. I had the opportunity to serve in various leadership roles within both organizations, including serving as president of each at different times. These experiences helped me develop more confidence in myself, as well as strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. I was also able to attend various conferences through these organizations, which allowed me to grow professionally, work with others, and gain valuable insight into leadership and teamwork. Those experiences have carried over into my teaching, where I use those same skills to manage my classroom, build relationships with students, and create a structured, positive learning environment.

What skills do you think are the most important in your field today?

In education today, the most important skills are communication, adaptability, and relationship-building. As educators, we have to be able to connect with our students and create a positive classroom environment. If we don’t connect with them in some way, they’re less likely to want to learn from us. Just like the connections we must build, we have to create an environment where students can and want to learn. We must also be able to adjust instruction to meet different learning needs. No two students are the same, have the same learning style, or have the same needs, so being able to change how we teach the same topic to different students is extremely important. My background in psychology also reinforces the importance of understanding student behavior and supporting their social and emotional development, especially with middle schoolers. This is a time in my students’ lives where many things can and are changing.

How did you land your first job after graduating?

I actually started teaching while I was still completing my MAT program. As part of my internship requirement, I needed to be placed in a classroom, and I was fortunate to secure a teaching position instead of the traditional student teaching placement. I was able to get immediate, hands-on experience. It was challenging but incredibly rewarding, and it helped me quickly develop confidence and practical skills in the classroom.

Did you face any challenges transitioning from college to the workplace?

One of the biggest challenges was adjusting to the full responsibility of running my own classroom, especially since I hadn’t been in a classroom before. Moving from a structured college schedule to managing lesson planning, grading, and student needs all at once was a huge transition. However, over time, I figured out various systems I could use and gained confidence with experience and support from my fellow teachers and administration.

What do you wish you would have known as a college student?

I wish I had known that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away. I started with the plan that I was going to college for one thing, and nothing was going to change that. I realized quickly that things can change and sometimes, that change is for the better. It is important to build connections with your professors and peers, no matter what your plan, so they can help you, push you, and encourage you to chase your dreams.