Master's Degree

[SouthDakotaSherry]

I have just started my Master's Degree at the age of 45. I am teaching middle school full-time, and an adult computer class part-time. I have three sons and a wonderful husband. I am sure I lost those marbles when I signed up for nine graduate credits now. I thought if I could get through this semester - you know - when I am excited about going down this path - the rest of the semesters I could take less credits and graduate in 15 months. I had started this degree in 2001 and have complete 7 credits. I was a single mom at the time and it proved to be too difficult then. I am in a better place now.

My degree will be in Technology in Education and Training. At this point, there is some discussion that computer classes will soon no longer need to be a stand-alone class and I may have to move to teaching something else. With my Master's and then the Education Specialist degree to follow, I could move to training teachers to add technology to their curriculum.

Any thoughts? Anyone else working on their Master's?

[ertech05]

I've never went to college or achived a degree like you but I went thru EMT training almost 2 years ago..
I remember thinking that I had no business starting this and how my husband (who has 25 yrs on me in this field) would always be better than me and what was I thinking doing this..
But I remember how easy the class was and telling my husband that and how I didnt remember high school being this easy..
He summed it up by saying that I had found something I gave a blank about and applied myself ..
I know how excited I was the day I passed and looked at the computer that posted the words PASSED and that I was an EMT..
So go for it Sherry and way to go on what you have achieve this far...

[SouthDakotaSherry]

Cynthia,

Is that what you do now? EMT? How awesome! Good for you!

I think we women are so hard on ourselves. It is why we need places like this where we can get this kind of support. I hope you are enjoying what you are doing!

Sherry

[Kathy]

Wow, I'm impressed you've gone back for a master's. I've been thinking about going back to school for a while...as I love being in the classroom and learning. Although I'd like a master's degree I'd have to figure out what I want to study!

Good going!

[SouthDakotaSherry]

My entire degree is online. It is through the University of South Dakota. They realize that sitting in a classroom - particularly for teachers that are in the classroom all day - is not always possible. So far, I am keeping up and loving it. I do seem to be getting a lot less sleep though!

If you are thinking about it, I say find a place and go for it, Kathy.

Thanks for this new site!

Sherry

[ertech05]

Sherry-
yes i am doing EMT work now but not for an ambulance service..
I work in the emergency room at a hospital in Branson..
Its way much better than being on the road..I am doing almost as much as a field paramedic does and I love it...
Not to mention that the hospital I work for is awesome and very supportive...

[YellowRoseTex]

Woohoo Sherry! I think it is wonderful that you're going back for your masters. I am still contemplating going for my BA in Accounting. I do think you're doing the right thing. :cheerlead

[Kate]

Yay, Sherry! I am not working on my master's, but am back in school again, and wow, you are taking a lot of credits! Keep at it! Before long it will be all over with. Good for you!:)

[SouthDakotaSherry]

Kate,

What are you majoring in now? Do you have to attend classes or take them online. I love the online thing. My biggest problem right now is this site is distracting me from homework! LOL!

Good luck!

Sherry

[Kate]

Since I have a BA already, I am getting certified in Sonography (ultrasounds) vs. getting my associates. It helped cut out a lot of additional classes and time! But I am taking my prereqs right now via online and it's great. :D Yes, this site is a distraction along with my tv. hehe

[SouthDakotaSherry]

I keep thinking I am multi-tasking with two windows open, but the truth is, I am using this site to help me avoid reading an article on instructional system design. It is SOOOO boring! Unfortunately, it is one of those hoops you jump through for your degree.

Sonography sounds interesting. I hope your classes are meaningful. It makes them easier!

Good luck!

Sherry

[AgingGracefully]

Sherry,
I earned my Masters degree online a few years back and will never forget the fear of "what have I gotten myself into". At the time I went through the program, I had one child in grade school, one in middle school, one in high school and a foreign exchange student. But it was worth every moment of it.
On the flip side, I am an academic advisor and work primarily with adult students earning their education online. They all have many of the same fears, but in the end they are very proud of the acheivements. Good Luck and Congratulations on this big step!
Kathy

[SouthDakotaSherry]

Thanks, Kathy. This week has been tough. I have felt completely overwhelmed. We are going away with friends this weekend and I am counting on that to recharge me and help me start fresh next week. I am glad to hear from others who have been through it.

Sherry

[jcme]

Wow! I applaude you for all you are doing. I got a Masters in Computer Information Systems about 3 years ago. I was working full time and it was tough only doing 3 credits (one class) a semester. I did one semester with 2 classes and that was really tough.

Good luck.

[SouthDakotaSherry]

I don't know if applaus is in order or recommendations for a good therapist. There are still three months left of this semester. I hope I survive!

Thanks!
Sherry

[devan13]

Sherry,
This is my first visit to the site, but I did want to say that in our district, a Master's in the field you are seeking is a valued one. We currently employ Technology Integration Specialists to do exactly what you discussed-instruct teachers how to integrate the use of technology into the curriculum. You are definitely headed in the right direction with your choice. Good luck!
D
"It isn't the load that weighs us down-it's the way we carry it"

[SouthDakotaSherry]

Hey Devan,

I like your quote. I am going to have to learn how to carry this load better!

Thanks for the encouragement. My first love is really teaching middle school students, but I do enjoy helping our staff, so I may be able to transition into that field. I am always open to ideas from other people about integrating technology into curriculum!

Sherry

[SlaveToDogs]

Sherry,

You go for it!!! Not having to trudge to class should be a help. I have two masters degrees. During my first program I there was one semester where I took 9 credits and worked full time -- I thought I would lose my mind... but I got through it. During my second masters the workload was very intense. I would list all my assignments on a white board and just dive in and try to get them done ASAP and not leave anything until the last minute. It gave me a feeling of accomplishment to cross each thing off the list. You can do this!!! As an experienced teacher, you probably already know a lot of the stuff they are teaching, or have a good grounding in it.

Libby

[showme girl]

I taugh HS Business and Computers for 7 years. They told us that we would be extinct, too! Ha! I also taugh CC and Adult Ed classes in computers.

I started a new career path by pursuing a degree in dental hygiene. They only take 12 students each year....keep your fingers crossed, I should know something in about two weeks.

If I don't get into hygiene school this term, I am going back to do the very thing you are doing. Don't think either is a bad choice, there will always be computers and teeth!!

[SouthDakotaSherry]

Libby,

TWO Master's Degree's??? WOW! I bow down to you! I am going insane, but I also feel my vocabulary increasing. I got some of my grades back today and have a solid A. That made me feel better.

I am doing everything I can to stay all over these assignments. (It might help if I stayed off this site, but I like the distraction!)

Showme,

Good luck on your hygiene school. If that is what you really want to then I really hope you get in. It is good to know that this rumor of us going away is not a new one.

Thank you, Ladies!

Sherry

[SlaveToDogs]

Sherry,

I never set out to get two masters degrees!! My first was in counseling and after moving from Maine to Alabama I found I could not market the counseling degree there, even with a license. So, out of desperation, I went back to school and got an MSW, so I could get a decent job. It was the degree I should have gotten in the first place, but there wasn't an MSW program up in Maine at the time, and I didn't have the wheels or money to commute 3 hrs to the nearest program. Neither program was particularly difficult, but there was a LOT of reading and a lot of assignments. I came up with the motto, "it doesn't have to be good, it just has to be done" just to take some of the pressure off myself. I ended up getting almost all A's, but just know that if you do a decent job with your assigments you'll get at least a B. In grad school it seemed that there were really only 3 grades -- A, B and C. I never heard of anyone getting a D or an F in anything.

Libby

[SouthDakotaSherry]

I am in the toughest university in South Dakota (which may or may not be tough around the country). There is a ton of reading, but all my classes are online and there seems to be daily respoonses expected to postings online. One class has a short paper due every week as well as a group activity. The other two classes aren't quite as bad, but getting there. It will all be worth it. I intend to continue on and get the Education Specialist degree and then will think about the doctorate. We will see if I burn out by then!

I am still impressed by your TWO degrees. Glad to know it can be done!

Sherry

[ashanti1922]

I am going back to shcool to get my Master's will it help me in the workplace? It is a lot of work.

[SouthDakotaSherry]

ashanti, what degree are you getting? It is a lot of work, but I know for a teacher it means more money. In my husband's line of work (he is a computer programmer) it wouldn't benefit him in that way.

Good luck!

Sherry

[ashanti1922]

In Strategic Management. I plan to work in Service Desk Management.

[ashanti1922]

For my first class, wow. but the book , the book is $122, WOW!!!!!

[SlaveToDogs]

Textbooks are mucho expensive across the board. Kind of like they have you over a barrel. A lot of them aren't the sort of things you'd go buy on a lark, that's for sure. I wouldn't have read a lot of them if I didn't have to! Sometimes university bookstores offer used and new texts so you can spend a bit less. I still have a number of expensive texts that were hardly used, yet required!

Ashanti, an MBA is still pretty marketable from what I know. I wish I had a head for business.... or even nursing. Social workers don't make much more than garbagemen (whoops.... "sanitary engineers"). Probably because it's a women-dominated field!

Libby

[SouthDakotaSherry]

I was able to get my textbooks from Amazon and saved a little money.

[AgingGracefully]

Ashanti,
Having an MBA will make you very marketable. It will open the door to all kinds of job opportunities. Try and buy texts from a place like Amazon or other online bookstores. Just make sure you have the correct ISBN. You can compare prices between bookstores and see what you come up with. Books are very expensive.
Kathy

[Dymond24]

Hello,

I live on Ellsworth AFb, small world huh.

[Dymond24]

Hello Kate,

I live on Ellsworth AFb, small world huh.

[ashanti1922]

Thank you very much, I needed the inspiration.