In my younger years, I spent a lot of time working and building up my career. I was motivated and I really liked working. And it mostly paid off. I moved up and got positions that meant something to me. And then I got pregnant the first time and had a miscarriage. And something changed. I had always pictured myself being the mom who worked forty plus hours per week and came to weekend events with no qualms. But the miscarriage made me really think about what was important to me and family was the first thing that popped into my head.
When I was about 7 months pregnant with LeLe, I left the position I had been in to take a position in a different department where I would be allowed to work from home two afternoons a week, and I could stretch out my maternity leave by working full time, but all afternoons from home. My new supervisor was somebody I had worked with before and the move was not necessarily something I did to advance my career. In fact, it was a lateral move with little to no prospects of moving up. But I knew that my family was going to come first.
Fast forward to now and I have been in this position for over two years and while I enjoy the work I do and I absolutely love the two ladies I work with, I am bored and unfulfilled. I work primarily with men and most of them are amazing to work with. They respect me and they value my input on projects, changes, etc. I am their go-to when they need something and I like the relationship I have with them. However, there are still a few men here who do not value me and treat me like I am uneducated, frail, and just plain stupid. I have been ridiculed about being gone to “attend to family things” and one person even said that he didn’t tell me important things because I have been “spending a lot of time with my kids.” My initial reaction is pure anger and disgust. I needed to consider the source, but I also needed to decide if I was happy with what I was doing, or if I wanted more.
I’ve decided I want more. So, with this, I am officially a graduate student. I will continue to work full time and I will slowly chip away at my masters degree. When I am done I have a position within my department available to me. I’ve actually been offered the opportunity to start the new position in a yea’rs time and work while finishing the second half of my degree. The new degree will open up many more opportunities for me and financially, it will mean a large difference.
I am nervous. I still value the relationship with my family more than anything else in the world, but I am determined to prove to myself and to my kids that I have what it takes to reach this goal. I want LeLe and Little Bug to see me working hard to accomplish something great. I will still be working in higher education and I will be able to work on my project required for my masters within my current department.
I honestly don’t know how this is going to go. I really hope that I can find a way to balance my school, my work, my family, my household, etc. It is going to be hard and I will probably be stretched pretty thin, but I am also really excited. I feel like having a purpose other than being a mom will be really good for me.
Here’s to a new year and a new adventure!
pear / 1622 posts
How exciting! It sounds like your company is very family oriented and supportive of your going back to school. It will be crazy – but think of it as the days are long and the years are short and hopefully you will be done with that craziness before you know it!
grapefruit / 4923 posts
wow that sounds amazing–best of luck to you!
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
What a great move! I can’t imagine feeling like you do in your current position and I think it is wonderful you are moving forward to do more professionally. When your girls see how hard you work and how motivated you are, they are going to be motivated, as well and know no one can stop them but themselves.
blogger / nectarine / 2043 posts
How exciting, congratulations! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures.
pomelo / 5678 posts
I think about graduate school every.single.day. It will take many years (a 3 year program, but I have to go part time! So…) Time will tell if I do it in a couple years or wait until everyone has started kinder in 5 years (it starts at age 4). We shall see! Good luck!
pomelo / 5628 posts
Good luck! I am considering a huge jump next year (to Administration in teaching) and it would mean lots more hours. I’m pretty positive I need to see where I can go in my career, but it’s really hard to have the trade off be less family time!
blogger / kiwi / 675 posts
congrats! Im excited for you! I am also beginning to research new career opportunities and considering going back to school– go mama go!
kiwi / 549 posts
I just completed law school 2 weeks ago, with a 4 year old and another on the way. And I’ve never been so proud as I was walking across the stage at commencement with my son holding my hand, looking up at me with a giant grin while I was hooded. It’s a long slog to go through school with kids, but as someone on the other side, I promise it’s worth it. Your kids will understand the value of a mother who reaches for — and meets– her educational goals! Good luck with school and juggling new things. It’s worth it!!
pomegranate / 3225 posts
congrats mama! What a great example you are setting for your kids!
guest
I have determined I would like much more. Therefore in this particular, I am formally a graduate student. I am going to carry on to operate full-time and that I will gradually nick side in my master’s degree. Once I feel carried out We have a place inside my division accessible in order to me. I have indeed already been provided the actual possibility in order to begin the brand new place within a year’s work and time whilst completing the 2nd 50 percent associated with my education. The brand new education will start upward a lot more possibilities with regard to me as well as economically, it is going to imply a big variation.