Career by Circumstance, Not by Choice

There are two things in life that I am passionate about: 1) education for women, and 2) the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, my interest was piqued when I recently read about an organization/blog that is focused on supporting aspiring Mormon women in their educational and professional pursuits. It sounded like something that would resonate with me. I don't recall anyone ever talking to me about graduate school. As a result, I try to encourage women to consider more formal education.

Many female students I talk to see their education as a way to pass the time until prince charming comes along. Once he finishes medical, dental, or law school then she will stay home, raise children, and they will live happily ever after. There are very few women I know who have not at some point in their life needed to supplement the family income. That is just plain economics in the 21st century. So if you are going to work, make it worth your time. Get paid for what you are worth. Education opens more doors and opportunities for you than you would have otherwise. Education gives you choices for when and how you work. It's liberating and empowering.

As I've read some of the blogs posts for this organization, as well as posts on another site that features Mormon women, I've noticed a common thread--the women who write on these sites seem to see their desire for and pursuit of education and subsequent employment as a "calling." While they enjoy motherhood, some more than others, they feel that they were meant to do something more with their life. They are driven and passionate about what they do.

This has caused me to pause and reflect on my own career path. I certainly don't feel like being a professor is what I was "meant to do" with my life. I never pictured myself as a career woman. It just kind of happened. After 22 years of professional life, I'd have to say-- it's been a fabulous journey. I've had experiences that I would have never imaged. However, to be truthful, I would give up my career in a heart beat to be a mother. Part of me wonders if I had married at age 20 or 21, or even 25, would I still feel the same? If I had 2 or 3 or 4 kids would I be trying to find ways to stay connected professionally? I'll never know.

What I do know is that I have been abundantly blessed in my career. I was 29 when I decided that if I was going to work for the rest of my life (and at that point in time the likelihood seemed high) then I wanted to do something I really liked. It wasn't that I didn't like public health-- I didn't like administration and that is where I was headed. I distinctly remember the day I decided that I was going to go back to school and earn a PhD. After I had finished my master's degree, I told my mother that if I ever thought about going back to school that she should tie me to the bed. I started classes before I told her I was pursuing a doctorate.


So, I feel that my career was more a result of circumstance and less about a conscious choice like these women I am reading about on these blogs. But in a way, maybe it was my choice. I could have stayed at the health department, doing what I was doing, and with advancement hit the ceiling fairly soon. But I chose to get a PhD and move to the university. Looking back, it was a good move. However, if I knew then what I know now, I would have done things differently. I guess that is another reason I feel passionate about talking to women about education-- I want so help them launch their career, wherever that may take them, even if it is to a chair at the kitchen table helping children with homework instead of a chair at the boardroom table making seemingly important decisions.