Bucket List Idea: Take A College Course or Even Earn A Degree
Earning a master’s degree has held a top spot on my Bucket List for several decades. Raising two kids and working full-time kept me from pursuing my dream until both my kids were college-educated and on their own.
I earned my Master’s degree in Communication in 2023. I pursued this program full-time; all courses were held in person. Additionally, I held a Fellowship in the central communications department at the College that gave me free tuition. My fellowship focused on writing, with my stories appearing in e-newsletters and on the College website.
It was the best thing I’ve done for myself in years! A great personal and professional learning experience. I learned so much from spending time in a classroom with twenty-somethings. I encourage anyone who has thought, ‘I’d love to earn a degree or go back to school’ to JUST DO IT!
What I Learned as a Recent College Student
Older people can learn tons from twenty-somethings.
Teams with a mix of age groups are more fun and engaging than those that are homogenous. Diversity wins every time.
Like every demographic, a student body includes active participants and passive observers.
Many twenty-somethings are smart and optimistic. They think deeply and communicate thoughtfully. These traits are contagious.
Most twenty-somethings are very anxious about finding well-paying jobs. College debt and monthly rents are crushingly high. Many entry-level positions don’t come close to supporting the costs of a shared apartment, groceries, and student loans. And employers know it.
Know of a Job Opening? Help Out A Recent Grad!
Remember what it was like to get that first job out of college? Well, it’s just as hard today as it was back then.
If you know of any job openings, post them to your LinkedIn network. Contact local college career centers so that they can include the job listing in their database that graduates have access to. Be proactive.
