Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 05:37:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: stephanie talbott
Subject: More education, better job skills
I am behind the curve on some Chatlists, so I am responding to Saturday’s posting re. the challenges of procuring more education and job skills when consumed by work and raising children. It is indeed a catch 22. FORTUNATELY, there are many alternatives to a traditional campus education. Wake Tech offers a number of on-line classes, as well as UNC. OR, you can enroll in distance education programs that do not necessarily have courses on-line, (especially if you are Internet challenged), but are structured to be completed “off campus”. There are entire degree programs available on-line and or by distance education, and they are fully accredited. One of my degrees is from a distance education program, and I loved the experience!
You can take your courses on your own schedule, (but you must have a lot of self-discipline), yet maintain a work schedule as well as meeting your family responsibilities. If you want it badly enough, you will commit yourself to a “class and study” schedule. Your children and family will adjust to your school schedule, particularly if you are firm and consistent about establishing this schedule. You will probably not watch TV for a couple of years, or have as much recreational time for yourself, but if you want it all badly enough, you’ll forego the short-term pleasures for the long-term gain.
Match such online/distance education programs against careers that offer variable work schedules and for which the job market is strong (such as nursing) and you may very well lock in a fairly well-paying and interesting career that has flexible scheduling so you can juggle family needs.
Also, there are jobs that can be done from home via the Internet. If you work and go to school from home, you can skip both the commuting and gas costs, and possibly reduce child care care costs. Doing your homework at the dining room table with your children might be a good thing too!
Good luck to all faced with such challenges.
Stephanie
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