Dallas Oral Surgeon Says Returning To School Creates New Opportunities
Dr. Michael Ray is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the Park Cities. He earned his doctorate in dentistry from Baylor College of Dentistry and served in the U.S. Navy. Ray went back to school to earn a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University.
Why did you pursue a master's degree?
"I developed an interest in global health many years ago through missions, school trips and military service. I knew that a master's degree would give me additional knowledge, training and open doors to new projects and ideas."
What would you tell someone who is considering returning to school to earn a master's degree?
"Do it! There were many people in my program that took a break mid-career to go back to school either seeking a shift in career direction or for creating new opportunities. There are many sources of funding that are available through grants and current employers. I used my GI Bill benefits, which and provided more assistance than I expected."
What was the biggest challenge you faced when pursuing your master's degree?
"Being a full-time student again was fun, but school was a lot more work than I remembered. The curriculum and workload were very demanding. I saved money ahead of time in case I wasn't able to work while in school. I'm glad I did because working and trying to complete the program at the same time would have been very difficult."
What was the biggest reward for earning the master's degree?
"The Master of Public Health degree has created new opportunities for me. I began working with Harvard during my program in assisting the University of Rwanda to create a new dental school - the first in the country's history. I am working with the faculty in Rwanda to develop curriculum and clinical competencies in oral surgery. It's a rewarding project, and I'm excited to be involved. Being in private practice allows me the freedom to take occasional time away and travel to beautiful places like Rwanda."
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com
