In July of 2018, I made the decision to return to school and finish my degree. A few months after, I found out that the politically correct term for my status is “non-traditional student.” Adult-learner fell out of fashion, I guess.
Even though it was something I wanted to do for many years, it required a lot of consideration. Anyone past the traditional age for university knows that it’s a complicated matter. I have more responsibilities now than I did a decade ago. I have different ideas of what I want my life to look like than I did a decade ago.
While there were many reasons why I could have said “No!” to a few difficult years, ultimately there were three things on my mind that pushed me to say “Yes!”
Education Will Get You Through The Door
I’m a reasonably intelligent person (if I may say so myself), but it’s hard to convince a hiring manager of that without helpful credentials on a resume. The work experience I had didn’t seem to be enough, and more experience was getting harder and harder to acquire. Especially since my peers all had a college degree.
That degree for those who have it is proof to a hiring manager that they have acquired knowledge and proved an ability to commit and follow through.
Once I put on my resume that I am currently a student, I had the courage to start applying for jobs outside of the service industry. It worked. I was able to get a decent role. I got the job because I was able to prove that my value will gradually increase. While the job isn’t quite in my field, it does have a lot of crossovers into what I want to do, which will provide me with valuable, transferable skills.
I Value Education
I always have. I always did well in school. It was always important. In fact, when I stepped away from formal education nearly a decade ago, it was due to circumstance, not choice.
During the years between then and now, I spent most of my energy getting myself to a point where I could go back to school. It was a driving force behind my daily decisions and efforts. It took many years, but last year I was finally in a healthy mental and financial position where I could consider it.
Knowing that I did all that work to get to that point was a very good push in the school direction. If I value education as much as I say I do, then it’s time to practice what I preach.
I Wanted A More Comfortable Life
Maybe this last one is a little selfish, but what decision-making conflict doesn’t have at least some selfish elements?
By no means are my SO and I doing poorly. We’re not wealthy, but we pay our bills with a little to spare. We’re some of the lucky ones, I know.
But if he and I were able to make it this far, then it would be a shame to stop and call it “good enough.” I want a degree to get me into an interview so I can move up the ladder. I want an opportunity to define success for myself. I want the freedom to change my mind later about that success definition, if that’s something I decide to do. Money may not be everything, but it sure does make everything else easier.
I’m still young and I have the ability to try to do better for myself. There’s only one life to live, so I need to remember to do everything I can do while I have the means to do so. Going back to school was an important goal of mine, and I’m proud of myself for deciding to sign up for a few classes last summer.