Back to School for GrownUps

Well … it’s just about ….um… how the heck do you spell that word… unaminous, that’s it… thank goodness for spellcheck (in Word)…

It is just about unaminous … most people who commented about reasons to go back to school - or not - agreed that money is a big factor.

Education = better job opportunities, independence and better pay.  

Patricia found more rewarding and interesting (and better paid) jobs as a result of earning her doctorate.  CurvyQueenBee is headed for a career in Psychology; a much more attractive option than what would be available in her area without higher education. Drofen ’s on the road to a better paying career, too, as are Jenni, who is on the road to financial independence (and being an awesome role model for her daughter in the process) and melisann , who is considering a law degree.

Money is often an issue in people deciding NOT to go back to school, as well, as both Stephanie and *lynne* mentioned.  It definitely is a huge investment - in time, energy & resources - it isn’t worth it for everyone …and sometimes the time just isn’t right.

Education = change

Me, I first went back to college (computer programmer analyst) because I was totally and completely burned out in social work and mental health support services - I needed a way to earn a living that did not involve working with messed up people. No offense to messed up people…I am one on occasion …but I just had nothing left to give, and I thought I would like a little cubicle of my own. Turned out, not so much. Those that can, do …those that can’t - or can, but hate it, teach

Then, several years later, I went back, again, as a sanity strategy… I was spending way too much time at home with my mother-in-law, who had Alzheimers, and who, at the time, was altogether too fond of  being in my personal space. I was not teaching enough that first summer semester, and she was driving me NUTS. So Ross suggested I “go take a course or something”.  The rest is history …took 2 courses, got a 94 and a 97% and that was that…. started full time that fall, and have been going year round (and also teaching) ever since.

While the potential $$ is very much part of the reason Ross keeps encouraging me to go on …especially since I got the OGS (the big scholarship)… for me, it’s less about the $$ and more about the learning and the doing and the feeling that I can do well at it. And now I am totally excited about the possibility of pulling all of my ~stuff~ together and going back to where I started … making a difference in the lives of emotionally and behaviourally challenged young people. I loved working with those kids… can’t do that any more… but I can still make a difference.

Education = positive role modelling 

Jenni mentioned the role modelling aspect of going back to school… I think it bears repeating. We all want the best for our kids - and by showing them that we really believe that school is worth the sacrifice and hard work, I hope we can encourage them to make the most of their own opportunities.

There are probably as many reasons to go back to school - or not - as there are back to schoolers… but seems to me that these are the major ones, and that the money question factors in pretty consistently. What do you think?