I have lived for years with the notion that “not everyone gets to have their dream job” or “you are far too old to go back to school”; you name the limiting thought, and I thought it. My experience as an undergrad was a very challenging one, as I had to drop out for what was supposed to be three semesters but ended up being five years. I eventually graduated successfully, eight years after I should have, and with rather good grades. But after that experience, the thought of ever going back to school was not a comforting thought. Consequently, I resigned myself to the fact that a Bachelor’s Degree from a well-known and highly regarded University was good enough.
But one day after a particularly bad day at work (not challenging – BAD), I had enough, and thought “what’s the harm in applying?” If I don’t get in, then at least I know I tried. As much as I do not like the career I feel at most times trapped in, I would have been “okay” with it. I have a career that I have excelled in and have had experiences most people in my position have not. And I am fortunate enough to live relatively comfortably in a high cost of living area. So, while I would have been disappointed, I would have been fine.
I am glad that for once in my life, I took a risk and didn’t listen to my own limiting thoughts; clearly it paid off. But I have to say, my experience in grad school so far has not at all been what I expected it to be.
I honestly thought I would take some classes, write some papers, do a lot of reading, and then, at the end, have a large amount of debt, a marketable degree, but also the skills to finally get a job in my desired career path. The classes would all be online, so really nothing above and beyond schoolwork was in the cards. The fact that I finally saw a way out of an unfulfilling career was my primary focus.
I never expected to be exposed to all the opportunities I have already been exposed to. I have wonderful classmates that I learn from as much as they learn from me. My professors so far have been remarkable, and I have been fortunate enough to meet a few of my future professors whom I can’t wait to learn from. I have been able to meet or connect with people in the HR Analytics field that I probably would not have met otherwise. I have seen and been able to test some fabulous tools and had the chance to attend conferences that I would not have been invited to if not for this program. It is exciting for me to know that there are years of opportunities ahead of me, and that at some point, I will be considered a part of this HR community.
So here is to the next chapter of my career – and no longer feeling trapped!
Wisdom from the Watercooler 