I have an update for the Families.com world: I have decided to go back to school to finally get my Bachelor’s degree. I went to college for a year after I graduated from high school, and then the next year I went to one semester in Jerusalem and studied over there in the fall of 2000. That, unfortunately for me, was the start of the second intifada (uprising,) and things got completely out of hand while I was there. We all got shipped home early, and I went back to work to save money up to go back to college.
I never made it that far though; I got sidetracked when I got married, and just never got back into the college groove. So this New Year’s Eve, I sat down and started writing a list of attributes that I wanted in a job. By time I was done, I realized that in order to have what I wanted, I was going to need to get some education under my belt. Although employers find it interesting that I studied abroad and that one time I got stuck down in the city of Jerusalem and almost didn’t make it back out alive, that doesn’t actually get me a job. Interesting, but not of any real use.
But on my list there was more than the “regular” requirements for a job (like health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, etc.) I also had some nebulous requirements on there, like job satisfaction and wanting to feel as if I am making a difference in someone’s life. And last but not least, I definitely wanted to work with children. I have always loved children, and I decided that if I was going to dream, I better dream big. Working with children would literally be a dream come true for me.
After I looked my list over, it became painfully obvious what I should do: I needed to go back to school to become an elementary school teacher. And so tonight, after much prayer and deliberation, I have actually done it. I have submitted my application to Idaho State University.
I’m a bit nervous, but I also know that I’m on my way to a much better life because I’ll have a much better job, a job that I will love and excel in. I am worried, yes, but also thrilled that I have been blessed by a wonderful husband, family, and boss, who all support me. Thank you all. And for any of my readers who are currently wondering about going back to school, all I can say is: Follow your heart. You won’t regret it.