December 23, 2020
Donna Osburn knew she wanted a career where she could work in a school setting. Attending Shawnee State University, she chose to major in an Intervention Specialist degree within the university’s School of Education to follow that career path.
A native of Rarden, Ohio and graduate of local Northwest High School, Osburn always knew SSU was the place for her.
“I love the idea of a small town and familiarity, so I knew immediately that I wanted to stay close to home,” she said.
Choosing a degree within the School of Education at SSU took some time, but she was able to meet with several people within her high school and within the university to help her make her decision.
“I have always wanted to work in the school setting, but I was never sure what subject I would be most interested in,” Osburn explained. “I spoke with the special education teacher at my high school and he really encouraged my decision to lean more toward an intervention specialist.”
Still new to the program this year, in her coursework she has been able to obtain experience observing in local schools which has strengthened her decision to pursue this major.
“One misconception about my career path is there are many different types of intervention specialists in all grade levels,” she said. “Additionally, the different types will have different education requirements for teachers and specialists.”
Osburn plans to graduate with her degree in 2022. After graduating, she is excited to begin gaining experience as an Intervention Specialist working with students who require an Individualized Education Program (IEP). She also wants to eventually pursue her master’s degree to continue gaining new knowledge and concepts in the world of education.
Learn more about the Intervention Specialist degree at Shawnee State University.