My Professional Edge - Dawn Marshall

Dawn Marshall
Cellular Field Engineer, Verizon Wireless
Keller degree: Master of Network and Communications Management

My Career

I grew up in inner-city New Orleans and joined the Marine Corps, where I realized that I needed a college degree in order to pursue my dreams of being better than the environment in which I grew up. I was the first in my family to obtain a college degree. Imagine my pride at earning my Master of Network and Communications Management.

My responsibilities for Verizon Wireless include maintaining and repairing all base station equipment and transmitters; maintaining site and test equipment inventories; testing and analyzing network coverage to ensure contiguous communication and network integrity and quality. I make recommendations to Engineering for improving network coverage and implementing solutions.

My achievements include operating as a team member and project lead in a full turnkey microwave project that improved system availability for remote cellular sites in both North Carolina and South Carolina. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I was a key participant in the effort to facilitate telecommunications between the ground volunteers, Verizon Wireless telecom workers, and the network operations center, corporate offices, and regional support offices.

Initiative is recognized

I received an award from Verizon Wireless for taking the initiative to organize and facilitate the re-testing of our radio frequency test kit. This unit helps to keep each and every field engineer safe by testing the air waves for harmful frequencies that we may come in contact with.

Verizon Wireless also recognized me for my ability to take the lead to help ensure my teammates possess the knowledge and materials to handle emergency calls generated by numerous customers on the Verizon Wireless network. As a result, my manager recommended me for a position within another up-and-coming network department.

Pass it on

My most significant accomplishment involves teaching kids that education beyond high school is important. I gather a group of middle- and high-school students together and help them to understand and realize their potential in today's world. I know how some of those misfortunate kids feel when the question arises, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Many do not have the money or know how to access available funds for post-secondary education. For this reason, I have taken on the task to teach, assist and motivate them to find financial support.

Why Keller?

Selecting a graduate school that I could attend remotely as well as locally was an important criterion for me because my job responsibilities involved constant traveling. My research into graduate schools led me to Keller Graduate School of Management and its focus on the telecommunications industry and the working professional. Keller's belief that the working adult not only benefits from but is an asset to the learning environment drew me to join the school's student population. I have really been impressed with the curriculum, faculty, and Keller Graduate School of Management's academic achievements.

Professional and personal rewards

Being in a learning environment with other working professionals has enabled me to stay abreast of the telecommunications and networking industry. The telecom projects within the degree program gave me real-life applications to take back to my company for future implementation.

I also took away valuable friendships that I made with many of other students online and locally. We have bonded and have traveled to visit one another. I am truly grateful for these people that Keller Graduate School has brought into my life.

Opening doors

Obtaining my MNCM has afforded me the opportunity to expand into more new project advancements, including a network-based project that, with my assistance, will be rolled out across the country and the entire Verizon Network. I have also been involved with other network applications that will help to expand our cellular network's footprint in the U.S. Therefore, having this degree has been very advantageous in opening doors to other levels within my company.