How has your degree improved your life?

[Lindagerr]

My degree improved my life by improving my self esteem. I worked in chemical Laboratories for over 30 years and I really knew the stuff I was working with, but I didn't even have an Associates degree. Whenever talk at a conference, meeting, Dinner turned to education I always dreaded the inevitable "Where did you go to school" I always played down my community college credits that were from 3 different CC's and said demurely, I don't have a degree yet, I do hope to finish mine someday. After that the conversation would change and I would just drop out of the talking. I always felt a failure in that way.

I was also very involved with my children's' schools and one day the Superintendent was complaining about the lack of quality substitutes she turned to me and said Why don't you become a sub. I had to say embarrassed I don't have the 60 credits required to be a sub. As soon as I got those 60 credits I went back to sign up as a sub and the Super and her assistant were thrilled to see me.

Through the substitute teaching I found that teaching was what I really wanted to do, so I started down the road to alternate certification. I loved all the teaching I did do but I had to leave NJ before I was done.

When I moved to NY I went back to the Lab and tried to get a job at a big name lab near home. I put in one resume and I got called for a phone interview. That went very well and I was called in for an in-person interview. In the beginning with the HR person I felt great and she told me she admired me for going back and getting my degree while working. She knew TESC was online and she knew it took self motivation to do that. Then I started meeting with department heads and I felt like I was talking to children. No one I met was over 40 (I was 59) and it just felt like the only people over 40 in the building were the cleaning people. So I didn't get that job and I figure that was ageism rearing its ugly head,

So I started going to South Carolina where I could substitute and get offered all kinds of teaching positions because of my degree and background.

Although I didn't get my BA until I was in my mid 50's I am still glad I did it. I retired at 62 so I don't use it at all , BUT I can say I have a degree and that makes me feel good, most people don't know I waited until my 50's to get it. I just feel more secure when any conversation turns to education I have a better answer and I am not embarrassed as to where or when I got it.