# @thehandydje on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DOG13rPkXKV
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/34059946-thehandydje-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/f2be61d9a3.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-09-02T16:40:23.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Ethan Beaudoin (a.k.a. DJ E) (@thehandydje) — https://gondola.cc/thehandydje

## Caption

I feel proud and relieved to say that I earned my Master’s degree in Communication and Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.

The program gave me so much and exceeded my expectations. However, it wasn’t a smooth-sailing journey. The program was a time-consuming, frustrating, and hard-fought, seven-game series-like battle that physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically drained me. It pushed me to my limits, challenging my physical and cognitive abilities and resilience every day. I had to dig deep to stay motivated, passionate, and resilient to maintain a strong work ethic, especially on days when I wanted to give up. I had to fight myself to stay committed and find a desire to push through when I experienced identity crises, advocating for myself when I noticed I was falling behind. It took a lot of grit and perseverance, but I pulled through and found clarity.

Intense, structured, and continuous learning, development, growth, and improvement during an almost two-year period is exhausting. I did a lot of self-talk to overcome struggles, challenge impostor syndrome thoughts, and reassure myself that I deserved to be in this program. When times got tough, I frequently reminded myself to remember the end goal, what I was fighting for, and that “none of this is easy; if it were, everyone would be doing it.” Overtime, these qualities and habits should communicate and reinforce (internal and external) competencies; it can give me permission to think and say with certainty that I feel more comfortable and confident to engage in high-level conversations with my newly acquired knowledge, skills, and competencies.

Thank you to all that supported me.

(Photo Cred: ship_likeaboat)

#Masters #Communication #LeadershipStudies #Education #HigherEducation

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 217
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 27

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ethan Beaudoin (a.k.a. DJ E) | @thehandydje | https://gondola.cc/thehandydje | Creative Director |

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