Another post from the archives. This one is interesting to look back on for me. I did indeed complete the 8-week course and earned multiple certifications, with, I am proud to say, the highest completion rate in the history of the program. I don’t recall off the top of my head, but it was between 13 and 15 certificates if my memory serves.
I did look into the Associate Degree as well, but literally the day I went to talk to the student advisor, I got a call from a recruiter about a job opportunity. My priorities then shifted to getting my butt back into the workforce.
It is still something I would like to pursue in the future, but in the interim, I may return to take another 8-week course and earn even more certificates. I will admit that this was an enjoyable time for me, and I am proud of all I accomplished in a very short time.
A few of my recent posts have dealt with the concept of taking action.
Over the past couple weeks I’ve been trying to take lots of actions even if they were smaller ones in deference to the mindset that any forward motion is progress. I will say it’s certainly been helpful in keeping me away from that nasty pit called despair.
Viewing my recent setbacks as opportunities for improvement and growth has been extremely helpful in building and sustaining momentum.
Some of the actions I took were extremely small and some might even say insignificant, but knowing that they’re completed is just one less little thing nipping at my heels. That alone makes it worthwhile to me.
In the interest of putting my money where my mouth is, I took another action today.
I decided to go back to school.
Full disclosure, I am dipping my toe into the pool before diving in completely. I am going to be taking an 8-week course at a local college. It’s been more than a minute or two since I set foot into a classroom, so it’s going to be a pretty substantial adjustment for me. I signed up this morning and start on January 02.
While looking into that course I also discovered a state-funded program which allows you to pursue an associate degree if you qualify. I applied formally to the college this morning and am planning to speak to an advisor after the holidays to complete the next steps.
In looking back at the past couple weeks, I can honestly say that if all the things that happened had not, I wouldn’t be doing this. I would have just continued on the path I was on either making minimal progress or burning out and fading away in time.
If you had asked me four weeks ago if I had ever considered going back to school I would have scoffed at the notion and said “When do I have the time?”
Truth is, I could have made the time if I wanted to back then. Truth also is, until I had this time, I didn’t see all the closed doors available for me to kick open. I didn’t stop long enough to look at any of them.
Now that the blinders are off, I can see a whole wide world out there.
While there is some trepidation going into this, I am also very excited to try something new, learn more and expand my knowledge base.
They say you’re never too old to learn. Well, I guess we’re about to find out, aren’t we?
The Beginning At Last 
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