22 years late, but finally done!

[bkbarden]

Congratulations! So glad to see another person did it! I'm almost there myself... and am so ready to write my own "I'm done" thread.

[cookderosa]

I was a star student in high school despite a strong streak of laziness. Silly me, I thought I could coast through college as well. Oops. I started off at the University of Pennsylvania, which is an excellent school but a poor fit for me. My mother died a month into my junior year, so I moved back home and transferred to the University of Maryland. I did better there, but had no clue of where I was headed. Meanwhile, I had discovered computers, and wound up leaving college to move into low-level geekery (this was 1986, so we're talking the days when DOS was still strong and a Commodore 128 was a top of the line gaming machine).

Fast forward a couple decades. I'd left tech support and made an accidental but fortunate move into an HR assistant position. After taking a seminar, I rediscovered my fascination with training design (having coordinated training sessions and designed training materials while in tech support). Great, now I have ideas on how to shape a career. I conducted some informal research in the company, talked with employees to get a sense of what they wanted in terms of employment development and learning opportunities, and started putting together some ideas. During my annual performance review, I presented a few of them to my boss; her reply boiled down to "that's great, but you're here to walk around paperwork." She wasn't that blunt or tactless, but it summed up how I felt in that department: you have no degree, so you will not be taken seriously. I'd seen the pattern, and was part of it.

I had already enrolled at Excelsior by that point, but was so tired from the work and long commute that I had yet to accumulate any credits. (there was a lot of walking in that job - and I mean taking a shuttle from one campus to the next and then making a 1.5 mile round-trip walk to deliver one piece of paper) I was tired and stressed and upset at the company and mad at myself. Then, in early September 2008, I landed an interview at another company for a training assistant position. I didn't get the job, alas, but it really opened my eyes. I gave my two week notice and left my secure but soul-draining job in order to focus on finishing the undergrad degree.

Forward a couple more months, and I'm prepping to take the English Lit GRE. I also have a much less stressful job. A search brought me to InstantCert, which brought me to this forum. My signature tells the rest of the tale.

Thank you, thank you, everyone who has posted their experiences to this forum! I never could have done so much so quickly if it weren't for your help and inspiration!

Once EC has processed my final scores and finalized the transcript, I'll be applying to MS programs in instructional design as the next step towards a career in CBT and e-learning development.

Now I need a nap. :p

What an inspirational story!!! Oh, and would you like another iced tea?

[perrik]

Thanks for all the nice comments! Now it's time for some more people to finish up their credits and post their own stories. (I'm looking at you, bkbarden... )

No vacation planned yet. I didn't even get a chance to decompress, because I finished the exam with just enough time to drive the 20 miles to work. My husband is taking me out to my favorite crabhouse this weekend. There will be plenty of iced tea involved.

FYI, although my previous employer was of the "no degree no value" ilk, my current one is not. And when I arrived at the office today, my boss announced that it was an algebra-free zone. Did I mention how much happier I am at this new job?

[bkbarden]

Thanks for all the nice comments! Now it's time for some more people to finish up their credits and post their own stories. (I'm looking at you, bkbarden... )

I'm workin' on it, I'm workin' on it...

[94steve]

Congratulations!!! I too am sick and tired of not being taken seriously because I'm "degreeless" and strongly relate to your story. Best of luck on your graduate program!!!

[Sam]

I've enjoyed reading your posts and I'm so happy for you. Can't wait until I can post that " I'm a college graduate with a bachelor's degree".

Well done!!! Congrats!!! Kudos!!! and high fives!!! (There probably some students here who are too young to remember high fives.)

[categ]

Thanks for all the nice comments! Now it's time for some more people to finish up their credits and post their own stories. (I'm looking at you, bkbarden... )

No vacation planned yet. I didn't even get a chance to decompress, because I finished the exam with just enough time to drive the 20 miles to work. My husband is taking me out to my favorite crabhouse this weekend. There will be plenty of iced tea involved.

FYI, although my previous employer was of the "no degree no value" ilk, my current one is not. And when I arrived at the office today, my boss announced that it was an algebra-free zone. Did I mention how much happier I am at this new job?

Ha, Jimmy Cantler's. My dad makes a stop there every time he comes back to MD from NM. The crabs aren't so great in NM.

Congratulations, I wish my story was half as inspiring. Good Luck in your new life as a SUPER ACHIEVER!

[Gary]

#1. Congratulations
#2. 22yrs late....... your a youngster!
#3. Please don't mention DOS again, thank you very much.

[perrik]

#3. Please don't mention DOS again, thank you very much.

What, you'd prefer OS/2? AmigaOS? I probably still have my old AtariTOS diskettes lying around somewhere...

(ow, I just felt another hair turn gray)

[nick94]

[SIZE="7"]Congratulations! [/SIZE]