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College Advisor Mom
by Mary Davis
Last month’s poll asked readers, “Does an advanced education set a good example for your kids?” Given the choices of “Yes, it shows the value of education”, “Yes, it emphasizes the importance of hard work” and “No”, I felt fairly confident a wide majority would choose either of the affirmative answers. As a former higher education professional, I admit that I am biased toward the value in continuing one’s education. The spread wasn’t as wide as I had imagined it would be.
In fact, 38% of Working Mother readers answered, “No” to the question of whether higher education set a good example for their kids. An equal 38% felt that pursuing an advanced degree demonstrates the value of education, while 23% placed an emphasis on the importance of hard work as a lesson for their kids. I truly did not expect such a large number of readers to feel that pursuing continuing education doesn’t set a good example for their children.
In today’s rocky economy, many have found that a college degree does not always lead to higher earning potential. The possibility of spending hard-earned money or going into debt to complete a college degree is scary for working mothers. They may consider how much time away from their family pursuing higher education would cost them, in addition to the actual dollars spent. It’s also a wide-held belief that a diploma isn’t a requirement for success.
Some women may see pursuing continuing education as selfish because it takes their time and attention away from their family. Others may think it’s too late and that they should have gone to school earlier in their lives, before having such responsibilities as children. I suppose there are many reasons women may not see getting an advanced degree as setting a good example for their kids.
However, the majority of our poll responded that going back to school is good for their children to see. It demonstrates the value of education and emphasizes the importance of hard work. It can also be a bonding time for families. I’ve talked to so many adult students who study right alongside their children. Non-traditional aged students can share their own learning hurdles with their kids to show that they understand that education can be hard. Obtaining an advanced degree can also demonstrate the importance of taking on a commitment and seeing it through. It’s a real-life example of how families make sacrifices.
As a former college adviser, I am in favor of parents pursuing education. Whether it’s to advance their careers or simply for self-improvement, I’m an advocate of education for education’s sake. I do recommend, however, taking some time to think about your reasons for going back to school and researching the kinds of careers you’re interesting in pursuing. The more you know, the better decision you will make. If you’re unsure of your intended major, that’s okay. Just be sure to look into the costs involved in tuition and books. Understand the terms of student loans and other forms of financial aid,
Talk to your school’s career counselor to learn about job prospects upon graduation so that you have a better chance of graduating with a degree that will move you forward. Do some research online or perform an informational interview with someone in the field to find out if there are currently jobs in your city or whether it’s likely you’ll need to move to land a job in your chosen profession.
Though I am biased, I always recommend talking to your academic adviser. Get a feel for what kind of a course load you will have. If you’re considering a major with a large math and science requirement, you’ll want to be sure that these subjects are ones you enjoy and are proficient at. Also, an adviser can help you to schedule your classes so that you aren’t taking all of the hard ones in one semester. Breaking them up will give you a better shot at academic success.
Don’t be afraid to pursue higher education. Talk to your family to gain their support and to let them know of the importance of education to you. Only you can make the decision regarding higher education that’s right for you and your family. Going in with realistic expectations, open communications and informed research will lead you to a more satisfying experience that you can be proud to share with your children.
What are your reasons for considering higher education? Do you think it sets a good example for your kids? Why or why not? We’d love to explore this topic further!
