3MT Winner Spotlight | Bryan Goodman

"After I spoke with members of the Hood community, I felt as though I could truly gain perspective and grow at Hood College."

Bryan Goodman, M.S. School Counseling

Program

Counseling, School Counseling (M.S.)
Counseling, Clinical Mental Health (M.S.)

Department

Psychology & Counseling

Graduate School
Graduate Student

Awards
Graduate School
Graduate Student
Research
Social Sciences & Humanities

05/01/2024

Bryan Goodman is a current graduate student in the clinical mental health counseling program at Hood College. Goodman holds multiple credentials throughout his educational career, including a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in secondary biology education from Salisbury as well as coursework from Johns Hopkins University in school administration.

This semester, he participated in the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition and won the People’s Choice Award. We spoke with Goodman about his experiences in the Graduate School, his career in education and what it was like presenting at 3MT.

Could you briefly explain your career and educational background?

I earned my bachelor’s in biology, with a minor in chemistry, from Salisbury University in 1999. In 2000, I earned my master’s in secondary biology education from Salisbury. I also earned several credits in administration and supervision from Johns Hopkins University in 2007 and 2008, as I was going to be a school administrator. I returned to graduate school in August 2022 in pursuit of a degree in school counseling, but I switched to clinical mental health counseling that winter.

I taught science at the college, high school and middle school levels as well as middle and high school mathematics. I was a middle school team leader and science department chair during part of my career with Montgomery County Public Schools. Currently, I am a part-time school counselor as well as a life coach for teens and their families.

What drew you to Hood College?

At the beginning, I wanted to take classes in person and not online. After I spoke with members of the Hood community, I felt as though I could truly gain perspective and grow at Hood College.

What interested you about the counseling program?

Since I was a teacher, I thought school counseling was the best next step. After considering my options, becoming a therapist offered some of the flexibility I was looking for.

Could you briefly describe the thesis you presented?

I presented a serious poem followed by data about drug-related deaths. There is a stigma about drug use, creating a challenge for those grieving that need support. The financial burden is enormous, and the statistics aren’t getting any better.

What preparations did you do for the 3MT Competition?

I looked back on my research assignments, seeking a topic that I was both passionate about and clearly understood. From there, I started dialing in on the actual presentation with my slide.

I wanted it to be eye-catching and make a statement. Then, I jotted down the most important pieces of information that I wanted to share. After that, I went through about four drafts of my poem, getting help from my wife and 15-year-old son along the way. I timed myself several times, ensuring I was under three minutes.

Overall, what was the competition like? Do you have any takeaways from it?

It was an interesting process. Hearing and seeing how others presented their research made my poem stand out. I wasn’t the only one that came up with a creative way to present information. I was happy to see that.

Would you have any advice for people interested in participating in the next 3MT Competition?

Follow your passions when it comes to your own research. Present the information in a way that is authentic to you.

Are there any fun facts or trivia about yourself that you would like to share?

Teaching wasn’t “supposed” to be my first career. I originally went to Salisbury to become a podiatrist. Also, my two master’s degrees will be more than 25 years apart. It’s never too late to figure out what you want to be when you grow up!

Interested in the counseling programs at the Graduate School? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, such as clinical mental health counseling, by clicking here.