Meet Our Faculty: Joel Martycz, MS Logistics and Supply Chain Management

December 11, 2020 2:24pm

What made you want to become an online instructor at SC?

I completed a large amount of my education online while working, first on active duty, then as a working professional as I began my civilian career. During that time, I saw the impact that a good online instructor could have on a student’s academic success and future career. My primary goal is to have that positive impact on online learners. Online instructors are able to share lessons that transcend academics and have an instant application to the real world, as many of the students are working full-time as well. We’re able to share lessons and experience one evening, and apply those lessons in the conference room the next morning.

How do you think your own professional experiences make you an effective online instructor?

I’ve done a LOT of online learning, always while juggling the challenges of work, family, and other responsibilities. I “get” the unique challenges that our learners are facing, and I’m well positioned to support online learners. Name a challenge that an online learner will face, and I’ve probably lived through it, adapted, and found a path forward.

What is one misconception about earning an online degree that you hear often and what to do you say in response to correct it?

The concept that earning your degree online somehow holds you back. As a hiring manager who has made hiring decisions on dozens of salaried/management positions, I can tell you personally that I don’t draw a distinction between online or on-campus education, and I’ve never seen it be a factor in another manager’s decision. Hiring managers want to know one thing – can you do the job? If your education profile matches the requirements of the position, it’s a benefit. Furthermore, more and more hiring managers are seeing the positive aspects (time management, prioritization, attention to detail, communicating with multiple different groups) that are more common with online learning than a more “traditional” online experience. The combination of education and experience that online learners frequently have on their resume are powerful assets for job hunters.

How do you help your online learners who might be struggling with their coursework?

It depends on the challenges that the learner is facing. If it’s understanding a specific concept, then we will set up one-on-one time to review in more detail. If it’s a specific writing or studying related issue, I usually refer learners to the fantastic resources that SC has available. If it’s a life-related issue related to deadlines on assignments, we work on a plan together to get the work caught up.

What advice would you give to someone who is concerned about establishing connections and networking in an online environment?

Technology and social networking are making the world smaller than it used to be. Reach out to your classmates and former instructors! Build relationships online, connect through LinkedIn. Like any other relationship, you get out of what you put in. Focus on being present and active online and your online network will be strong.

How do you stay connected with your learners in the online classroom setting?

My message to learners is always “I want to meet you where you need me to be”. I communicate through email, phone calls, video calls, discussion board forums, video posts, and Blackboard (our current online learning platform). Modern technology has improved this greatly, and one silver-lining of the pandemic has been an increased familiarity and comfort with online communication methods.

How do you feel SCPS stands out from other online colleges?

Hands-down, it’s the instructor engagement. My fellow instructors have a TON of relevant, current experience in our fields, and our faculty truly invests time and effort on communicating effectively with our students. We use a variety of different communication methods to engage our learners, and a lot of our professional development is focused on how to continue improving our engagement and communication methods. I can tell you from first-hand experience, this isn’t a “job” for our instructors – it’s a passion!

Check out a webinar by Joel Martycz on Lean vs. Six Sigma here

Check out a webinar by Joel Martycz on Supply Chain Management in a post Covid-19 America here