Education was something that I have always enjoyed! Back to school time makes me sad, when I myself, do not have new notebooks and a backpack full of texts and the excitment of starting new classes and learning new things. Right after high school I attempted to go to the local community college with the intention of getting my teacher's degree while minoring in pyschology. After one year I stopped going because it was more important to pay my rent and hang with my boyfriend then make time for school so I got a real job. Fast track 8 years later, i went through a nasty divorce and really began examininng my future and career choices. I quite my job and went back to school full time. I soon learned that the teaching program no longer included the option of minoring in pysch. So I had to pick another concentration.
Being a single mom with two children to support I felt pressure to complete my degree and get on with my life. I couldn't really keep pretending to be a teenager much longer now could I? I chose history, because I was good at it, it interested me and i really liked most of my professors. Yet, the thought of only teaching history all day really did not excite me.
In my last year at New Paltz I stumbled upon their Women's studies classes. My first class was Queer in the USA taught by Professor Peri Rainbow. It was the first class at New Paltz that I felt like I fit in, where everyone fit in! From there I took more and more Women's studies classes, but felt that since i was so close in graduating that I shouldn't change my major. I was a grownup after all!! I should know what I want to do with my life at this point?? right??? I had intended on returning to New Paltz to get my Masters Degree but now I was torn if teaching was the right fit for me. Professor Rainbow got me connected with SAFE Homes of Orange County where I was able to intern and really get a hands on experience working with a non-profit advocacy group. I fell in love! During the fall after my intenship I had Walker and now fast forward two and a half years later I still haven't decieded what I want to be when I grow up!! Eventually I am going to have to get a job, eventually I am going to have to make a living. So I figured that now would be a good time as any to start a Masters program, on line. But today, my circumstances for returning to work are a lot different. Today, I have a child with special needs that I want to stay involved with.
Graduate school is A LOT of $$, but I know that it is something that I want to do, that I must do, for myself.
So.... what shall I do? Just bite the bullet and get started, (it does excite me to start taking classes again) or should I wait until the little ones are both in school and actually find a campus program? Will that ever really be possible? Is taking more student loans for my higher education a smart move? or will i just be putting us more in debt?
Something Is Going to Happen to Your Daughter
5 years ago
2 comments:
I struggle with these same issues myself...especially the money one. The way I see it, though, is that your earning potential is so much more with an advanced degree that it makes it worth it in the end.
I found that having my MS has made our current situation much better. I work about 15 hrs a week...which is all I can manage with Lucy's EI. I couldn't earn as much as I do in those hours without the degree I have. If I was working 15 hrs a week in retail or something, I'd be brining home hardly anything. I get more bang for my buck, I guess you could say.
Court and I are always talking about this topic and have the same feeling. I already have my Masters in Education, but still want to go back to school. Having small kids and limited funds makes it tricky, but if you can find the time, do it while you're young and ambitious. Good luck!
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