Resources for single mothers considering going back to school
June 14, 2011
If you're a single mother struggling to figure out how to move your career forward, but think that going back to school is the first step toward success, there are many resources available to you. These tools may help you to make a more responsible decision regarding your possible future endeavors.
Talk to Your Friends
If you took a different path than your friends by having children before attending school, you may be able gain useful information from speaking with them about their time at college. Talk with them about courses they took or what their friends studied, and ask questions about what the course-load was like and which fields seem to have the most available jobs now. By learning exactly what companies are looking for, you may be able to pick a career you like in a field that is also associated with growth.
Research Different Careers
Once you've narrowed down a list of topics you're interested in, you should begin looking either online or in the news about the fields you like and what each title you're considering has the potential to make annually. You may love one specific job, but if you find out the average salary is low, you may reconsider it as a choice for you - after all, you need to support a family.
Figure out Your Finances
Once you've chosen a career, it's time to get down to the business of money. Going to college can be costly, so look into all your options - like online school and campus-based colleges. At both institutions, you may be eligible for financial aid for moms or single mother scholarships, so it really comes down to what you have time for. If you're working and taking care of your kids, online courses may work best because the classroom is at your fingertips.
Finding the time to prioritize the many facets of your life may be more difficult with the addition of college courses, yet at the end of it all, your kids will be proud of you and you will be proud of yourself knowing you were able to get through it. Plus, your new career will be added proof of your success.
