There’s a lot of work that goes into earning a degree. Imagine putting in all that work while also being a working mom. When I earned my Bachelors in 2000, I was single, childless, and unemployed. Seventeen years later, I started working on my Masters. I was married, parenting, and working. What a difference! The challenges were so much more complex. I had to learn to balance my time in a completely different way. After two years of hard work, lots of tears, and many late nights, I had completed my program and graduated.
Now what? My diploma might be framed on the wall, but my job and salary are still the same. I have free time again, but also a school loan to start paying back soon. Why did I get this degree in the first place? What did I want to do with it? The original purpose of earning a degree in journalism dissipated halfway through the process, so how would I use it to my advantage?
I began by asking myself what I wanted in a career. Do I feel that I am satisfied with my current job and salary, or should I pursue something different?
One of the first steps to being successful is to have clear picture of what your goals are. That picture is probably the catalyst that caused you to pursue a degree in the first place. When clear goals are established, strategic planning can be done to reach those goals.
Here are some things to consider when trying to make your degree work for you after you worked for it.
Research
Doing research before deciding on a degree will help you to earn one that will be beneficial to you once your program has been completed. Discovering which career you would be suited for is important, but also consider the pay scale for that career and time requirements necessary to enter that field. For example, CNBC put out an article recently that talks about the top 25 best paid jobs. However, the time requirements for the education to achieve those jobs varies greatly.
Internships
Whenever possible, search out opportunities for internships while in school. As a working mom, this can prove to be challenging, however there are internships available online (depending on your field of choice) that better suit a busy schedule. Internships are a great way to put into practice those things which you have learned while studying, as well as make new connections in a field in which you are majoring. The broader the web of connections you create, the easier it is to reach your desired career. Under the right circumstances, internships can lead to a paid full-time position.
Be Willing To Start at the Bottom
We all want to graduate with our degree and go right to the top of the ladder doing what we love. However, that’s just not how things work. It’s important to be willing to start at the bottom and dedicate yourself to progressing within your chosen field. Stay focused, keep a strategic plan in front of you, and reach for the stars.
Be Active
Getting your name out into the field you have chosen can begin before you have your degree. LinkedIn is a fabulous website to promote your skills and experience as well as connect with others who have the same interests. You can make yourself visible to people who do the hiring, and stay up-to-date with job market openings before you are ready to apply for a position. Indeed is another useful resource that lists employment opportunities. Indeed allows you to tailor your job search to what you’re specifically looking for and have updates e-mailed to you. This feature helps significantly when you have a packed daily schedule.
Prayer
The Bible says in Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans.” Seeking the Lord and His direction for our lives is the most important thing we can do when pursuing a career. He gives different gifts and talents to each of us, and has a plan for our lives. He will fight for us if we commit ourselves to Him.
Be Flexible
Things don’t always go as planned. For me, the ministry in which I wanted to use my degree made changes halfway through my studies and it greatly affected my ability to align myself with what the values for which they had once stood. I found myself working on a degree I was unsure how to utilize. Fortunately, as Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Unsurprisingly, God provided other avenues in which I could use my degree. It has become clear to me that He has a purpose for me and I should stay where I am for the time being. If you find yourself with a plan that seems to be falling apart, take it to the Lord and ask Him to direct your path. Be adaptable to what He sends your way, and He will use your flexibility to bring good things into your life.
Some moms may have had a few years out of the field after giving birth or caring for a sick child, these same principles can benefit you. An internship or volunteer opportunity might be the best way to get your feet in the door and add recent experience to your resume.
There is a world of possibilities out there for those who know where to look. Be sure to stay focused on what is important to you, keep God first, and pursue a career with the degree you have earned.
