How Going to Grad School at 35 Helped Me Redefine My Goals and Priorities as a New Mom

When I graduated college in 2009, I knew I wanted to return and get a master's degree. Given the financial crisis, I put my goal on the back burner and started a career in Marketing. I revisited my goal often. But people around me kept telling me that pursuing a master's degree would be a waste of time and money, that it won't make a difference to my success, and that I should focus on gaining practical experience instead.

And I have to admit, for a while, I believed them. I wasn't sure if getting a master's degree was worth the investment since I wasn't convinced it would change my earning potential. But despite these doubts, I decided to take the plunge and pursue a master's degree anyway. In this blog post, I want to share why I chose to get a master's degree, despite the skepticism of those around me and how it's already made a difference in my career.

How it Happened

Let's go back to 2020. I had hit a plateau in my professional development where I felt like I wasn't being challenged in new and different ways, which was causing my creativity to stagnate. And as the next generation entered the workforce, I felt increasing pressure to keep up with new features and platforms. Despite always considering myself an early adopter of technology, I fell behind in the constantly evolving digital landscape. Then the pandemic hit, and I realized how far I had slipped.

I had my eye on a program at the University of Florida for years, a master's in digital strategy. After a lengthy application process, I was accepted and set to start in January 2021.

This decision came at a tumultuous time for me - not only was I starting a new academic program, but I had just been promoted to Creative Director at my company. Oh, and I found out I was pregnant a few weeks before I started my program.

But I decided to continue my pursuit. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I knew I needed to learn new skills and techniques to remain competitive.

The first few months of 2021 were a whirlwind of firsts - I was navigating the challenges of leadership, a new marriage, impending motherhood, and the demands of being a college student once again. During this time, I did some of the most challenging work projects I'd ever done, including leading the annual report process for a $55 billion company, working through a CEO transition that included what felt like 100s of assets, including feature length videos, and directing the first live, in-person even back in the office after the pandemic (one week before giving birth - I might add). But despite the chaos, I was determined to succeed.

I Learned...

I have learned so much about myself from this experience. Here are the most impactful things I have taken away from my time in grad school:

To Master Digital Strategy

I'll start with the obvious. I learned some excellent skills related to digital marketing and social media. The program challenged me to develop my creative storytelling skills and create compelling copy for any digital channel, from websites and email marketing to social media. I learned how to generate leads through innovative and strategic messaging and develop meaningful branding that resonates with consumers. I mastered how to create an efficient and effective user experience (UX) for websites and improve business outcomes using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools. It also taught me the importance of measuring and effectively communicating marketing KPIs and implementing best SEO practices.

To Balance the Act

I have gained much more than just knowledge and skills in my field. I also developed a sense of confidence and resilience that I never knew I had. As a new mom with a full-time job, I was initially concerned about balancing the demands of my personal and professional life with the rigorous coursework of a master's program. But as the program progressed, I learned how to manage my time more effectively, prioritize my tasks, and be more efficient with my work. I discovered that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to as long as I was willing to work hard and stay focused.

To Embrace My Age

In addition to facing the challenges of balancing work, motherhood, and graduate studies, I also had to adjust to being older than many of my classmates. Being surrounded by younger students who navigated digital and social media in a different way than me was initially intimidating. But I quickly realized that my life experience and professional expertise gave me a unique perspective that was valuable in the classroom. As I engaged with my peers and professors, I brought a different perspective to discussions and offered insights others may have yet to consider.

Being older also gave me a sense of perspective and maturity that helped me stay focused and motivated throughout the program. I clearly understood my goals and a sense of urgency to achieve them, knowing I didn't have unlimited time to invest in my education.

To Lead By Example

As a new mom, I knew that pursuing a master's degree would be a challenge. But I also saw it as an opportunity to set a good example for my son and show him that hard work and determination can make anything possible. I want him to grow up knowing that education is essential and that there's no limit to what he can achieve if he sets his mind to it.

I aim to inspire my son to do the same by pursuing my goals and passions. I want him to see me as a role model who didn't let obstacles hinder my dreams but worked through them to succeed. From my example, I want him to learn that it's okay to take risks, try new things, and pursue our interests, even if they initially seem challenging.

Of course, being a parent and a graduate student simultaneously was challenging. Sometimes I sacrificed time with my family to study or complete assignments. But I also made sure to carve out quality time with my son and husband so that I could be present for the moments that matter most. And ultimately, my sacrifices were worth it because they allowed me to pursue my goals while setting a positive example for my son.

Pursuing a master's degree wasn't just about advancing my career or gaining new skills. It was also about demonstrating to my son that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to with hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude. And I hope that by sharing my experience, I inspire other parents to pursue their dreams and set a positive example for their children.

To Be Confident

I am capable of accomplishing anything I set my mind to. Balancing life's demands took much work. Still, I proved to myself that I have the resilience and determination to overcome even the most daunting challenges. The experience has given me a newfound confidence in my abilities and a belief that I can achieve anything I set my sights on.

I am more adaptable than I thought. Going back to school as an older student, I was initially worried that I might struggle to keep up with my younger classmates. But my life experience and professional skills gave me a unique perspective that allowed me to adapt and thrive in the program. I learned that I am more adaptable than I had previously given myself credit for and can learn and grow in new and unexpected ways.

I am passionate about being ahead of the curve. Pursuing a master's degree in digital strategy and social media has reignited my passion for staying at the forefront of my industry. I am excited to continue learning and growing as a digital and social media leader and to use my newfound knowledge to drive innovation and success in my career. The experience has shown me that I thrive on challenge and change and am happiest when pushing myself to grow and improve.

Conclusion

Will this hard work pay off? Ask me in five years if having a master's degree means I get paid more in the digital marketing and social media space. By then, my Instagram account will have finally hit influencer status, and I won't need a salary! Ha! Did you go back to school later in life? I'd love to hear your story! Comment below.

Ash Serrano ?is a marketer with nearly 15 years of in-house and agency experience and a knack for creating engaging written and creative content that performs. She has worked with major brands like Amazon, discovery+, Gensler, HGTV, Hulu, KPMG, Pizza Hut, Sugarbear Hair, Synovus, and the Kardashians. She specializes in executive personal branding, creative direction, and influencer marketing. She also owns a career services company,?Fairy Career Mother , geared toward getting more women of color into leadership positions.

LinkedIn ?| |nstagram ?|?YouTube ?|?TikTok ?|?Website