I’m a Grad Student Now!

Am I crazy? I've just enrolled in Kaplan University's MBA online program. My first class starts November 14 – just a few days away.

Why on earth would a 42 year old mom do such a thing?

Simple. All my adult life, I have made decisions based on my family (as it should have been). I became a teacher so I could have a schedule that allowed me to be home with my boys in the summer. I left teaching to pursue my direct sales business because I realized that I wasn't a good "balancer," and I was giving it all away in the classroom without leaving anything for my kids. I gave up my direct sales business when it started interfering with their after-school and weekend activities. Then I started working full time at the hotel to pay for Josh's college tuition (Go Hoos!).

So there I was, working in a hotel as an administrative assistant and group sales manager, making a small wage, knowing that I had more to offer. My BS degree should be good for something, shouldn't it? But it had gotten "dusty" over the years, so I started thinking of ways to update my skills and move into a higher paying job.

Then it occurred to me that if I need to learn something new anyway, I may as well go all the way and get my MBA. I was a good student in college and during my graduate classes while studying to be a teacher. And I've always told my kids that they can have anything they want as long as they're willing to work for it.

Of course I struggled with "Am I too old to do this?" Then my mom said something that made a lot of sense. She said, "If you start now, then in two years you'll be 45 with an MBA. If you don't do it, then in two years you'll STILL be 45." Pretty wise.

So here I am . . . two weeks before my 43^rd birthday, about to start my first class for my MBA. Oh, and did I mention that tomorrow I start my new job as director of sales at another hotel? I may be biting off more than I can chew, or at least more than I have energy for. But I might just find out that the stimulation makes me feel young and alive. OK, that might be wishful thinking.

Anyway, I hope to post more often than in the past. I hope to post from time to time about my courses and how I'm surviving them. If you're reading this now, please say a little prayer for my survival over the next two years or so.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!