Life Update: Back to School

Back when I graduated from college in 1999, I was 10000% not interested in getting any additional degrees. My major was in Communications and I’ve spent the last 17+ years in various marketing and public relations-type jobs. I love what I do and I’m really good at it.

A decade or so ago, I sort of flirted with idea of getting a Master’s degree so that I could teach marketing courses at a college level. However, in my current position I work with potential MBA students and I’ve decided that teaching is definitely not my calling.

However, I work at a university. So, the benefits – especially the education benefits – are awesome.

I took the leap and applied for an online program at one of our sister schools so that I could start utilizing my tuition remission benefits. I started my Master’s in Management with a focus on Marketing over the summer with a non-credit required Orientation to Graduate studies course, which was a surprising amount of work for 0 credits.

I wasn’t really sure if I was going to like the online format, but with all my other commitments it’s basically the only thing that will work for me. I’ve found that it forces me to be incredibly organized in order to complete each week’s readings and assignments on top of my normal job tasks/blog tasks/life stuff, etc.

After I passed the introduction course, I started my first ‘real’ class in September. It was a 12 week, 6 credit course on Organizational Theory and Behavior. I pretty much freaked out the first couple weeks because all the online readings were basically gibberish to me. It had been SO LONG since I had to read anything educational that my brain totally resisted. I promised myself that if the entire 12 weeks of the class were hell, then I wouldn’t register for any more courses.

But then, something happened.
I was reintroduced to my inner nerd.

I forgot how much of a Type A overachiever I am when it comes to school. When I got a 94% on my first paper, I totally morphed into Hermione Granger. I found myself bragging to my husband whenever I’d get a grade back. Over the past 12 weeks I’ve found time to do all my readings, write a bunch of papers and complete a group project. I have no idea how I found the time or energy to do it, but I’m so glad that I did. I feel energized by learning. Which yes, I realize that makes me sound even nerdier than usual.

Now, I’m kind of kicking myself for not going back to school earlier. But part of me is really proud that I can show Jack that mommy thinks learning is so important that she went back to school too.

In fact, when he starts Kindergarten next year, maybe we’ll sit at the kitchen table and do our homework together.