When Is a Good Time to Get My Graduate Degree as a Working Parent?
It just might be today.
There are a handful of considerations to make before earning an MBA or a nursing degree.
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Having a family with young children and a full-time job is certainly enough to occupy every waking hour. But what if you’re a working mom eager to take the next step in your career: seeking an advanced nursing degree or pursuing that Master of Business Administration (MBA)? With a full plate of working and parenting, it can be challenging, but here are some practical steps to move forward.
Planning for change
A critical aspect of making a major life change like returning to school is planning for the emotional and practical aspects of balancing motherhood and schoolwork. Over the last year, we’ve heard reports of people experiencing “change fatigue”—the constant and fast-moving changes of living in a pandemic took an emotional toll. It’s important to create the headspace you need to allow that change into your life, to plan adjustments and prioritizations. If it’s helpful, find another working mom friend earning their degree, or try to recruit a pal or partner to go through the courses with you. Having an accountability plan like a friend or family member, whether or not they’re in school as well, who can keep track of assignments and deadlines with you can be especially valuable for working parents, who typically have an already-full plate. It’s a major adjustment to add another responsibility into the mix, so make sure you’re in a good mental headspace to succeed.
Communicate your needs and accept help
We’ve learned over the course of the pandemic that women cannot do it all. And they shouldn’t have to! Caring for aging parents, young children, school, or careers—or all of the above—may be doable in the short term, but it’s not sustainable long-term. The solution? Structure, structure, structure. Like for many endeavors, you get out what you put in. It’s crucial for working moms to be extremely organized with their schedules when going back to school or earning a graduate degree. Writing in your planner every task on your visible and invisible to-do list—daycare pick-up, bath time, study hall hours, time to prep for an exam or finish a reading—is one of the best ways to stay on top of your responsibilities as a parent and as a student. Invest in an app or program to help you juggle all of the balls in your court. If it’s all too much, similarly to parenting, figure out what you need and share that with others who can help, like a partner or a parent. Communicate your needs clearly to your confidante, and don’t be afraid to utilize your university’s resources. Many accredited colleges and universities have adopted programs for the working adult parent and have entire teams dedicated to student success, specifically in adult learners and parents, like the University of Phoenix. Visit your college’s website and see what resources they offer working parents like you.
Seek practical solutions
What we’ve noticed over the last year is the rapid advancement of opportunities for educational access. Courses and degrees have gone online and are highly accessible to many, no matter where you are. There are several online graduate degree programs like MBAs and advanced nursing programs that offer flexible scheduling. Consider taking courses while your kids are at school if you work nontraditional hours, or while they’re asleep if night classes seem like a viable option for your workload. Often, depending on the program and university, coursework can be completed on a flexible timeline as well. It’s important to select an accredited program and do your research about if it’s the right fit for you and your family at this time.
Juggling student obligations, work and family
Working parents should unapologetically honor their commitment to their families. Instead of saying, “I’m sorry, I won’t be able to make it to work today because my child is ill,” say: “I will be taking today off because my child is ill.” Period. No apology or further explanation needed. The same applies to coursework—select a school that understands those demands and be transparent with faculty about your commitments. Trust us, you can earn a graduate degree as a working parent.
Ricklyn Woods, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is an HR consultant and career coach.
