5 Issues to Take into account If You Need to Go Again to Faculty and Full Your Diploma
As memories of our pre-pandemic routines fade and the need to adopt a new normal becomes more apparent, many people are looking for a fresh start – and that includes a significant number of women who gave up their jobs during “The Great Resignation.” to have. – and many who are now considering graduating from college.
As President of Barnard College, an institution dedicated to empowering women to pursue their passions, I know that higher education is an important life decision with far-reaching consequences. Therefore, any woman or parent who is thinking of accepting this rewarding challenge should embark on the journey with open eyes.
If you want to go back to school to finish your studies, here are five questions to consider:
How easy will it be to find a job after graduation?
The likelihood of finding your dream job after graduation depends on a number of different factors, including the quality of your college’s career service center. In addition, those who learn science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are likely to find more opportunities regardless of their major. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth in STEM areas is expected to significantly exceed demand for other occupations between 2019 and 2029 (8 percent versus 3.7 percent). However, regardless of your interests, having access to a world-class career services center can make all the difference. At Barnard College, for example, 90 percent of our graduates found a job or enrolled in a graduate or vocational school within six months of graduating. One of the main reasons for this is that our students make use of our Lifelong Career Services Center, which is used by more than 75 percent of those currently enrolled.
What is the teaching philosophy of the institution?
It is important that you get a feel for how the institution you choose approaches teaching. If there is a discrepancy, there is a risk that your intellectual curiosity will be stifled. At Barnard, instead of a “weed-out” approach where entry-level courses are so difficult that many students fail, we take the opposite approach with great results: we “weeding in” so to speak. And that really sparked interest in STEM courses, for example. About 35 percent of Barnard’s class in 2020 were science and math (compared to about 26 percent nationally), and 33 percent of underrepresented minority graduates in our 2020 class were math and science major (compared to about 23 percent nationally Level). By adopting a teaching philosophy that focuses on inclusivity, Barnard is now number 9 in the United States among female graduates pursuing a PhD in STEM-related areas.
Does the program I have chosen fit my existing schedule?
It is important that you be realistic about the amount of time and flexibility it will take to complete your college degree. For example, as a working mom, you might need to take evening classes or consider a program that allows you to do most of the class work on weekends. Or maybe your schedule requires you to choose a virtual program that doesn’t require face-to-face attendance. And if you want to continue your studies beyond a four-year course, you should consider an option that combines a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Can I afford to go back to school?
If you want to improve your financial situation while investing yourself, the last thing you need is to crush the student loan debt. To do this, explore the options that your college or university offers you to make your studies less financially stressful. At Barnard, our on-demand grant process is designed to promote equality, access and diversity, and we meet 100 percent of a family’s proven needs. Cappex.com is a great place to start your scholarship research.
How does acquiring a university degree affect my self-image?
Becoming a college graduate has an impact on how you perceive yourself. Before committing to go back to school, you should be clear about the restrictions you have placed on yourself because you have not yet graduated from college. To harness the resilience required to succeed in school, you need to embrace the multiple facets of your identity. Celebrating the different sides of your personality enables you to find value in yourself even when some aspect of your identity is uncertain, e.g. B. after a poor examination performance, which can jeopardize your identity as a “good student”. In my life, using my different identities as a mother, runner, scientist, and manager ensures that I don’t become too dependent on one area for my self-esteem. Because higher education is challenging, most college students, especially women, will at some point doubt themselves and may even feel like cheaters. Don’t worry: this is normal and you can overcome it as long as you remember your unique, multi-faceted identities and don’t put too much emphasis on any one area.
In response to COVID-19 turning almost every aspect of everyday life on its head, most of us have begun to reassess what is important and to re-prioritize the way we spend our time. An important “pandemic enlightenment” for those who left college prior to graduation is that undergraduate education can provide personal fulfillment, accelerate advancement, facilitate career transition, and increase income.
Fortunately, when you know what to expect, have the right mindset, and rise to the demanding intellectual challenge of higher education, you will gain confidence in your skills, be better prepared for the job market, and have the tools necessary to change the world for yourself Better ones.
Would you like to go back to school to complete your studies? Find scholarships that might help.
Sian Beilock is a cognitive scientist and President of Barnard College at Columbia University in New York.
