Ciara Parizek/MDN Maison McDowall is a junior at Minot State University, graduating with an associate’s degree in early childhood development.

Minot State University student Maison McDowall will be graduating from the Advancing Students Toward Education and Employment Program next month, heading into her career of caring for children in a Bismarck daycare.

McDowall grew up on a farm near Bismarck, helping her parents with the animals and other chores.

Enrolling at MSU with the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities in 2021, McDowall knew she wanted to work with infants. She entered the paraprofessional education early childhood development program, and is set to graduate next month with her associate’s degree. Rather than taking four years to complete the degree, McDowall took summer classes.

That was not the original plan, however. Going in, she was planning to only take fall and spring semesters. The opportunity presented itself for early graduation, and she took it.

Along with her general education classes, she had to take several early childhood development classes and a psychology class.

Early childhood development was an easy choice for her. She grew up helping take care of her younger sibling, finding joy in it.

After graduation, she plans to go back to her family’s farm near Bismarck and work full-time at a Bismarck daycare. Preferring to work with children between six months and 1 year old, she will be working in an infant room.

There is not one thing she likes more than the other when working with infants. She thoroughly enjoys everything that comes along with taking care of children – teaching them, spending time with them and everything in between.

She has been employed at the daycare for around two years, working there when she has breaks from college.

In her free time, she enjoys watching drama shows on television. Her favorite show is “Grey’s Anatomy.”

McDowall looks forward to finishing college and beginning her journey in her career.