The past two years have been some of the most challenging in my life. And also the most joyful and satisfying. I want to record my thoughts and experiences related to finishing my graduate degree and what it means to me, and show my appreciation for those who have helped me along the way.
Decision to go to grad school
In the Summer of 2007, I was finishing up the last few months of my mission in Virginia/West Virginia. One morning, I decided to read some talks from the Ensign (church magazine). As I was doing so, there was one talk that President Hinckley (former leader/prophet of our church) had given to the youth. I remember reading a certain passage regarding education and feeling the Spirit pierce my heart so strongly and directly with the prompting that I needed to obtain more education and go to graduate school.
"Beyond ecclesiastical study there is the challenge of education. Resolve now, while you are young, that you will get all of the education you can. We live in a highly competitive age, and it will only grow worse. Education is the key that will unlock the door of opportunity.
You may plan on marriage, and hope for it, but you are not certain that it will come. And even though you marry, education will be of great benefit to you. Don’t just drift along, letting the days come and go without improvement in your lives. The Lord will bless you as you make the effort. Your lives will be enriched and your outlook broadened as your minds are opened to new vistas and knowledge. ("http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=6de3b5658af22110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1">"Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly," President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign May 2007)
My main thoughts were that although I planned on working when I got home from my mission, that now would be the time to further my education. I wanted to save up money from working so that when James and I got married, that I might be able to stay home with our children when we started a family. That is something I really, really wanted. To be a full time mom. I know the knowledge I would give to my children would be so valuable to them. But after reading this talk, the main impression that came to my mind is that we cannot control what happens in our lives, so it is best to prepare for any situation that may arise in the future despite what we have planned.
When I got home from my mission, I tried to find a job for a while. I still did not want to go to grad school. But I was unsuccessful at finding a "real" job, and that's when I started looking at schools. I always wanted to go to Texas A&M for grad school, partly because it was where I went for my undergrad and partly because I just love College Station. But the programs offered and the requirements and deadlines just weren't matching up with my situation. I thought of going to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The program was relatively short, I did not need work experience to be accepted into the program, and the location would be near James when he got home from his mission, but also someplace I wouldn't mind living in case it didn't work out with him.
So from that moment things happened fast. I took the GMAT two weeks later, submitted my application, was accepted to the program, and was awarded a scholarship.
Starting Grad school
I was very overwhelmed when I started grad school. The people in my classes seemed like they knew everything that was going on and I felt completely lost! I didn't know anyone and the coursework was time consuming. I was also in the middle of planning my wedding with James, I had just moved in to a new apartment in a new town, and I also started my first, full time, professional job. So needless to say, I was stressed out! Things worked out, though, and eventually I got used to everything and just kept going from semester to semester.
Things got difficult again when I got pregnant. I was so extremely tired all the time, and I was going to class for 3+ hours four days a week during the summer, including working full time, plus homework, projects, and exams. It was insane! I really don't know how I did it, I must have been receiving some extra help!
Finishing grad school
It felt so good to finally finish and be done with my last semester project. It felt very satisfying to complete everything and to know that I had accomplished my goal. I learned SO much about so many things. I was able to use a LOT of what I learned in my job and in several areas of my life. I feel much more prepared for whatever the future holds and MUCH more confident in my abilities as a professional. A combination of education and real world job experience has led me to new opportunities for growth, and I am so grateful for that! I am so thankful to have the opportunity for education. I took it for granted as an undergraduate, and I appreciate everything SO much more now. I can't believe I finally have an MBA, it feels awesome!
I would like to show my gratitude to all of those who helped to make this possible. The support of my family, husband, boss, professors, and friends made all the difference.
To James-thank you for being my loving husband and supporting me in everything that I do. You gave me encouragement every step in the way that was vital to me. Every time I got frustrated at my busy schedule, you did what you could to help me and made sure that I knew you were there for me. You helped me to know that I could do anything that I set my mind to and to always remember the "big picture," that school would not last forever and that I would be glad to finish when it was all over.
To my family-thank you for instilling the value of education and hard work into me. From an early age, you have always focused on the importance of doing well in my studies and showing diligence that would help prepare me for the "real world" and adult life. Thank you for teaching me that anything worth doing is worth doing WELL and the importance with always following through with commitments. Thank you for teaching me that you cannot get something for nothing and that things are best valued when they are worked for. Without these life lessons, I know that I would have not been likely to achieve this goal.
To my boss-thank you for creating a work environment that values higher education. Thank you for offering the flexibility that I would need to go to school and to finish my degree. Thank you for listening to me during the difficult days and for your overall encouragement and advice. All of these things have made a huge difference to me and helped enable me to achieve this goal.
To my professors-Thank you to those who make the extra effort to make the material MEANINGFUL and USEFUL. Great professors can make all the difference!
To my friends-Thank you for listening to me during all of the stressful moments. Thank you for understanding my crazy schedule. Thank you for your overall support and encouragement!
