A month‑in‑review reflection by Vladimir Kuljak
May felt like one of those months where the world collectively took a deep breath — and then immediately sprinted in five different directions. Education systems shifted. Universities argued about AI. The job market continued its unpredictable dance. Leadership research dropped new insights. And somewhere in the middle of all that, I kept grinding through my EdD journey, building my career, and trying to make sense of a world that refuses to sit still.
This is my May in review — part personal reflection, part global snapshot, part academic meditation, and part “what on earth is happening out there.”
🎓 Education in May: A Global System Under Renovation
May was a month where education systems around the world seemed to collectively agree on one thing:
The old model is cracking, and the new one isn’t fully built yet.
Across global headlines, several themes dominated:
AI in classrooms continued to be the most polarizing topic. Some universities embraced it as a literacy requirement; others banned it entirely.
Teacher shortages deepened in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, with districts experimenting with incentives, apprenticeships, and alternative certification pathways.
Student mental health remained a top priority, with new research showing rising anxiety but also rising resilience when schools implement structured support systems.
Higher education enrollment continued its slow rebound, especially in graduate and professional programs.
If May had a thesis statement for education, it would be:
“We’re rebuilding the plane while flying it.”
🎓 EdD Journey: The Month of Quiet Progress
Every doctoral student knows this truth:
Some months are fireworks.
Some months are foundation‑pouring.
May was a foundation month.
I spent the month refining research direction, tightening my conceptual framework, and absorbing leadership theory like a sponge that refuses to retire. The EdD journey isn’t just about writing a dissertation — it’s about becoming the kind of leader who can read the world, not just react to it.
Themes that shaped my academic month:
Organizational leadership models resurfaced everywhere — especially adaptive leadership and distributed leadership.
Equity and access remained central in every reading, every discussion, every case study.
AI literacy emerged as a new leadership competency, not a technical skill.
Change management became the quiet backbone of everything I studied.
If April was about momentum, May was about alignment — aligning purpose, research, and professional identity.
💼 Jobs & Work: The Market That Refuses to Sit Still
The job market in May was a paradox:
Hiring slowed, but opportunities expanded in specific sectors.
Remote work tightened, but hybrid roles increased.
AI‑related jobs exploded, even as companies debated how to regulate AI internally.
Education and public sector roles saw renewed interest due to stability and mission‑driven work.
Across global reports, several patterns emerged:
Leadership roles increasingly require data literacy, AI literacy, and change‑ready mindsets.
Employers are prioritizing skills over degrees, but advanced degrees still carry weight in leadership pipelines.
Workers are seeking meaning, not just employment — a trend that aligns with modern leadership theory.
For me personally, May was a month of career clarity — refining direction, exploring opportunities, and aligning my professional path with my EdD purpose.
🌍 Global Themes from May’s Headlines
Across thousands of articles, reports, and studies, May’s global narrative centered around a few dominant themes:
AI governance became a worldwide conversation — from universities to governments.
Workforce reskilling became a priority as automation accelerated.
Education funding debates intensified across multiple countries.
Leadership failures and successes made headlines, reminding us that leadership is always under the microscope.
Mental health remained a global priority, especially for students and educators.
Equity and access continued to shape policy discussions in higher education.
May wasn’t just a month of news — it was a month of signals. Signals about where education is heading, where leadership is evolving, and where society is shifting.
🧭 Leadership Lessons from May
If May taught one leadership lesson, it was this:
Leaders must be translators.
Translators of complexity.
Translators of change.
Translators of uncertainty.
Across research and real‑world events, several leadership insights stood out:
Adaptive leadership is no longer optional — it’s the baseline.
Psychological safety remains the strongest predictor of team performance.
AI‑augmented leadership is emerging as a new frontier.
Ethical decision‑making is under more scrutiny than ever.
Communication clarity is becoming a superpower in chaotic environments.
As an EdD student and a leader in technical systems, these themes hit home. Leadership isn’t about authority — it’s about sense‑making.
🧩 Personal Reflection: Becoming the Next Version of Myself
May wasn’t just a month of global change — it was a month of personal evolution.
I spent the month:
refining my academic identity
aligning my career direction
building my professional brand
strengthening my leadership philosophy
and continuing the work of becoming the next version of myself
The EdD journey isn’t just about earning a degree — it’s about becoming someone who can see systems, understand people, and lead with clarity.
May reminded me that growth is rarely loud.
Sometimes it’s quiet.
Sometimes it’s internal.
Sometimes it’s the kind of progress only you can see.
But it’s progress nonetheless.
🔚 Closing Thoughts: May Was a Bridge Month
May wasn’t a climax — it was a bridge.
A bridge between what was and what’s coming next.
Education is shifting.
Leadership is evolving.
The job market is transforming.
And I’m evolving right alongside it.
If June is the month where everything accelerates, then May was the month where everything aligned.
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June 18, 2026
