Paying for Graduate School - Is it Worth it?

Here is another post I wrote for my employer, Northeastern University, about how graduate school is worth the investment!

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A big question that always comes up when deciding whether or not to attend graduate school is the cost. Whether or not you are still paying off student loans from your undergraduate experience, nearly everyone wonders how they will afford paying for a graduate program.

At my graduation ceremony in 2016, I was able to sit next to a couple of my classmates whom I only knew virtually since the program was 100% online. One woman was from Texas, one was from California, and another was from Virginia. As we got to talking, all four of us could point to ways that our Master’s degrees in Higher Education Administration were worth the investment.

The woman from Texas mentioned that she got to write about some interesting topics that ultimately assisted her in her role in Study Abroad Student Affairs. She also mentioned that some courses opened her eyes to a whole different way of thinking and helped her gain new perspectives that were helpful to her both personally and professionally. Perhaps most valuable of all, she saw this degree as a pathway to advancing her career and knowledge in the field she loves most.

When speaking to the woman from California, she agreed that the program was helpful in her career and being able to step up her responsibilities and skills. She enjoyed being able to collaborate with so many talented and enriching educators across the globe and now had contacts in other fields and states. The exposure to different types of jobs and departments in higher education opened her eyes to other areas of interest she could move into.

Talking to the woman from Virginia, she mentioned that as soon as she received her Master’s degree, her boss immediately gave her a raise – talk about worth it! She saw an increase in pay as a result of her hard work and commitment to education. She noted that it was inspiring to see all the accomplishments of everyone and how far we all came.

For me, hearing all of these women describe how their graduate program was worth it made me feel confident that I made the right choice. I shared similar perspectives and thought the program made me more informed and confident that I could advance myself and my career to the best of my ability.

I ask that you keep these important points in mind when deciding if graduate school is worth it:

·      Research all funding options (e.g. scholarships, grants, graduate loans, employer assistance, EdAssist, etc.) to maximize your benefits

·      Consider the diverse, eye-opening perspectives that you will gain through your program

·      Know that you will learn new techniques and skills that are relevant and important to your industry and that will help you take your career to the next level

·      Keep in mind the potential for a promotion and pay raise immediately after you receive your degree!

·      Know that there will be others like you who are nervous but excited to take this next step in their lives

·      Be proud of your decision – you can do this!

Alumni Advice: How to Know if a Master's in Education is Right for You

Here is a blog post I wrote for my employer's graduate site and as an alum!

If you’ve asked yourself: “Is a master’s in education right for me?” recently, you’re not alone. I asked myself the same thing when it came time for me to decide which master’s degree to pursue. Should I pursue education? College counseling? Should I go another route and pursue an MBA? What’s best for me?

The answer to this question depends on several factors. Some questions to consider include:

• Do you have experience working in the field or are you trying to break into it?
• What are you looking for in terms of a career outcome or path once your degree is complete?
• Is the field of Education something that just interests you or something that you are serious about building or starting your career in?
• Is this degree a way forward to getting that promotion or dream job?

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Why I Chose to Pursue a Master’s in Education

Personally, I didn’t know the answers to all of these questions when I enrolled in Northeastern’s Master’s in Higher Education Administration program. I came from an educational travel sales background and then transitioned into college admissions, so getting my master’s in education seemed like a good opportunity to find out more about the field I was now immersed in and happened to love. I was, however, still unsure about several aspects of earning my degree, including:

• How was I going to manage classes and a full-time job?
• Would I like being in a 100 percent online program?
• Would earning a degree be worth it—financially, professionally, and socially?
• Was this degree essential to getting a promotion? Was it necessary for me to have in order to land an executive-level role?

Truthfully, I didn’t really think everything through. Although I did end up enjoying the program, I realized that I didn’t have a precise career goal in mind when I first enrolled. Many of my classmates wanted to be Directors of Admission or Career Services Managers or Deans of their colleges. Me? I wanted to survive and learn about what else existed in higher education and how I could get there. I envisioned this program as an easy way to gain a glimpse into other sectors of this fascinating industry—a path that would ultimately give me that “light-bulb” moment where I would immediately say, “Yes, that is the job for me, and I know exactly how I am going to get there!”

How I Benefitted From Earning an MEd

I am very lucky that I benefitted from the program professionally, learned a great deal, and made some great connections. I especially loved that the 100 percent online aspect of the program turned into a positive attribute. I was able to build better relationships with my classmates, absorb more information (since everything was written instead of spoken), complete assignments at my own pace, and take the time to compose my thoughts in a more intentional, effective manner. I was able to gain knowledge in specific areas like faculty tenure, financial aid and education law, race and equity issues, strategic enrollment management, and more. Above all, I was able to utilize admissions and enrollment strategies from my classes and incorporate them into my job.

Things to Consider Before Applying

I should have, however, asked myself more questions before I started. So, when considering a master of education program, here are some pieces of advice:

• Take the time to find out the cost of the program and what potential careers you can gain after the degree. Consider if you think it is worth it—financially, professionally, and socially to you.
• Seek out others in your dream job positions, someone you work with, or someone in higher education, if you don’t already work in the field, and check if they have the same or a similar advanced degree. Ask them if they think getting their degree was worth it, and how they chose the degree that best fit their needs. If they’re a close colleague that you trust, ask their opinion on whether they think an MEd is the right fit for you.
• Look at the curriculum–does the subject matter (for the most part) interest you? Would these classes be useful in your job?
• Check your calendar: can you dedicate a couple of hours per week for classwork in addition to your other commitments?
• Are you comfortable with taking classes that are 100 percent online?
• Find a mentor in the industry. You will be so glad you did.

While this is not an all-inclusive list, it’s a great starting point.

Get comfortable with doing some research and asking those tough questions before you officially take the plunge. I’m glad I pursued an MEd, as I now have my dream job, but I probably would have had a much easier time if I asked myself the key questions like, “What is my goal at the end of this degree?” “What am I hoping to learn?” and “Should I speak to someone who has been through this degree to see if it’s worth it?”

Remember: you’re not the only one asking these questions and trying to figure this out, so don’t be shy about asking for help. Start today by reaching out to an admissions coach to get personalized advice to better understand how an MEd can help achieve your goals, or download the e-book below for more information.

RIP Anthony Bourdain - The dangers of looking 'happy' and 'perfect' and the lessons we can learn

In college, I knew that something was wrong, but I didn't want to admit it. My 3.9 GPA tried to reason with that other part of my brain that was focused on one thing - trying to be perfect. Utterly lonely, yet surrounded by thousands of other students. Closed off, yet open to everyone. Sad beyond belief, yet smiling outwardly.

I chose to hide my secret, one that I knew was not right but one that I couldn't shake or make it disappear. I wanted to be skinny, I wanted everyone to like me, and I wanted to be accepted. And happy. I just wanted to feel happy again.

I stopped eating, I took pills, I worked out excessively. Unfortunately, no one really knew what was happening. My freshman year was extremely difficult for me: I made no real friends, I didn't socialize, I didn't call for help, I didn't reach out. It was only after I went home for the summer that my mother cried as she saw me in a bathing-suit.

"What happened to my baby? What happened to you, honey? What's wrong?!" She sobbed over and over.

I secretly was happy because that meant I was losing weight, but was I happy? Not even close. And I was clearly upsetting my family, the ones who knew me the longest and cared for me the most.

Back at college, I continued the same behaviors, for years on end. Abusing my body, getting angry with myself, and losing joy. My friends at the time only knew me as extremely thin and probably thought that if something was wrong, they would notice. More likely, they probably were just trying to have fun and didn't want to 'rock the boat' or upset me. Little by little, I became a shell of what I once was - a happy-go-lucky and energetic young woman with nothing but opportunity and dreams in front of her. Instead, I focused on the negative, believing myself a fraud, someone who was only defined by her looks, someone who wasn't even a person worthy of knowing.

I did have some thoughts of what it would be like to end that suffering. Help seemed so far away and at times, not even possible. One night, I remember writing this poem about what I was going through. My writing was the only way I could genuinely express my thoughts and emotions without worrying or upsetting anyone. Especially since Anthony Bourdain's passing, and countless others, I felt that it's the right time to speak up and share that mental health is overwhelmingly real, and we need to recognize that it's an oftentimes invisible disease, tormenting those who live with it and shocking others when they realize it too late:


Everything’s Not Alright

Everything's not alright
Darkness falls, light escapes
The night takes over with a vengeance.

Perfection's terrifying
Cracking like a mirror
Broken, in pieces, fallen
Destroyed, no hope for repair.

What happens next?
Heart's beating, mind racing
Thoughts of sadness, despair
Consume your head

Faster and faster it comes
Like a storm cloud filled with rain
Droplets fall, turn to hail,
Bigger, bigger

All consuming fear builds
Like an avalanche with a grudge
Growing, expanding, reaching new heights,
Shutting all of it out.

No, I'm not alright
No, I can't talk, I can't think,
Smiles nonexistent.
Tears, rage, anxiety amass.
Loneliness is my only friend.

Together we remain
Forever linked
No room for any more
We've become a two member club.
Private, our futures set
In stone, in sadness, in death.


I only hope that someone reading this will recognize my pain in theirs, and reach out to someone to share that pain. I eventually came to realize that I was worth it, and someone can love me, and that I could be successful and happy. Humans have universal feelings and experiences, no matter who we are, what we do, where we live, what our job is, or if we seemingly 'have it all.' Aside from all the outward things, we need to reflect inwardly and seek help and resources when we are feeling overwhelmed with sadness. The world is such a beautiful, loving and accepting place, and I hope we can all get to that place of calm together.

You are not alone - you never have been, you aren't now, and you never will be.

I Remember...

Hi all,

Long time no see! I've been pretty hectic with life (who isn't?), and recently decided to start pursuing more of my writing for me. Side note - please everyone let's take more time to dedicate to ourselves and our true passions - it's so important!

Anyway, I digress...

Below is something I wrote as part of a writer's workshop for Grub Street, a writer's organization based in Boston:


I remember the way the water dripped - slowly, methodical, heavy. I remember the metallic smell of the dirty faucet, the way it reeked of stainless steel and years of grimy inmates before me. I remember taking mental and visual stock of the cell when I entered this new life of mine, visualizing the very clear and segmented versions of my 'old' life with this 'new' life. I remember the old days with this tangible sense of renewed clarity - as clear and as final as death. I remember that feeling of despair - utter, complete, final, freeing.


I wrote this thinking about a novel I'm trying to finish and thought it would work better than the current start/beginning I have now. I would appreciate feedback of any kind - thank you for reading!

Cheers,
Vanessa

Everything's Not Alright

Hi readers,

It's definitely been quite a while since I last wrote, but I'm back!

This last year I got a new job, got married, and bought a house! Now that things have settled down (sort of, lol), I have some time to catch up on poems.

This particular poem is one of the darkest I've ever written, and I believe I wrote it during a time where I was emotionally struggling. My past was never perfect, and one of the ways I coped was through writing poetry to express my thoughts, frustrations, sadness and despair. The process can be especially cathartic, and so here we are:


Everything's not alright
Darkness falls, light escapes
The night takes over with a vengeance.

Perfection's terrifying
Cracking like a mirror
Broken, in pieces, fallen
Destroyed, no hope for repair.

What happens next?
Heart's beating, mind racing
Thoughts of sadness, despair
Consume your head

Faster and faster it comes
Like a storm cloud filled with rain
Droplets fall, turn to hail,
Bigger, bigger

All consuming fear builds
Like an avalanche with a grudge
Growing, expanding, reaching new heights,
Shutting all of it out.

No, I'm not alright
No, I can't talk, I can't think,
Smiles non existent.
Tears, rage, anxiety amass.
Loneliness is my only friend.

Together we remain
Forever linked
No room for any more
We've become a two member club.
Private, our futures set
In stone, in sadness, in death.


Pretty alarming, but I feel as though it speaks to the real sadness and overwhelming sensation of not being or feeling enough. Like I am not enough, and I am not alright.

I hope that perhaps someone can read this and think of a time where they felt this lack of hope and realize we're all in this life together. Humans are connected through these types of experiences, and it takes writing and sharing to truly understand that concept. I eventually learned that, but sharing can be difficult and you may be hesitant.

I offer this poem as a beacon of hope and light in a world of darkness and despair.

Carry on, carry on.

-Vanessa

Jolie's Poem - BELIEVE

Not quite at the 1 year anniversary of her death, I was thinking about my late cousin Jolie today. Spring is here, and it reminds me that another season is upon us, one of renewal, of change, of hope. Jolie represented all of these in her short lifetime with us, and always believed.

This one's in honor of you.

❤️ "Believe" ❤️

Believe in love
A power so strong
Nurturing, growing
A force that's never gone.

Believe in friendship
Over time, built with care
A bond between souls
Something only we share.

Believe in fun
Showing your biggest smile
Enjoying every moment
Never just once in a while.

Believe in family
The ones that pull you through
The good times and the bad
Always there for you.

Believe in life
The cycle that never ends
From one form to another
We are born again.

- V. Williams, 6/23/14
In memory of Jolie Breitenwischer 

Of course, I wrote this last year and haven't shared it since, but I thought it was about time. Hope she's resting in peace, and I hope she's shining like the star she is.

Love you angel,
Your loving cousin

I Vow

In honor of two wonderful, inspiring writers (my Granddad and Maya Angelou) who both passed away recently, I share with you (and them) my most recent poem, "I Vow":

"I Vow"

I vow

To open every book 

Starting with page one 

Keep on turning, keep reading 

Till I've read the last one. 

I vow 

To keep on learning 

For the world is vast 

Flowing with people and ideas 

Everyone part of the cast

I vow 

To stay forever young 

And live each single day 

From sunup to sundown 

Never letting it get away. 

I vow 

To take a step back 

Relax and smell the air 

Fresh as spring flowers 

No troubles, not a care. 

I vow 

To love with my heart 

So fully, so strong 

A bond that never breaks 

No matter who's wrong. 

I vow 

To have a quick pint 

Or shot, or glass or three 

For breakfast, lunch or dinner 

All the above, it's up to me. 

I vow 

To never forget 

That all life carries on 

In different shapes and forms 

So we're never truly gone.

- 5/17/2014

Anthropology, Geography, Geology - Life's Lessons from my Granddad

Today I'd like to dedicate this post (I know it's been a while!) to my incredible Granddad. He passed away about two months ago, and his memorial service was held this past weekend. What an inspirational, kind, loving, smart, and funny human being he was. A super grandfather too :)

Growing up, he'd always say to never stop learning, to enjoy life, and drink a beer! Okay, maybe not the last part when I was little, but he always wanted to get us grand-kids to understand more about life and humans as a species (Species was one of his favorite words). He was a Harvard alumnus, Class of '45, and loved learning. Every time we visited, we'd hear the same piece of advice: "You have to make sure you take classes in Anthropology, Geography, and Geology - you need to learn more about our species - homo sapiens!" I'll never forget it. 

And he was right. In a world that is moving so quickly that we eat in our cars, text instead of call, and email on vacation, we must not forget that we are all human beings - homo sapiens! - that are born into this world, live, and die. And we mustn't waste any minute of it. 

We need to make more time in our days for our loved ones, to smile and say hello to a stranger, to explore the world around us, to look up from our phones and devices, to breathe in nature's sweet air and realize the beauty in life's simple pleasures. 

We can't forget the most basic of human functions: eating, drinking, sleeping, breathing, and gossiping with our fellow humans. Yes, even gossiping counts here. Humans were given the gift of language and we can't forget that devices are no replacement for a good ol' gabfest with our closest friends and family. Gossip and dramas are what drive us, what move us, what inspire us, what keep us going through the day. Sharing in each other's lives is just as important as eating to keep us alive. My Granddad was a big proponent for living with ease and less stress, to see the positive in every situation, and to share your time with those you love, whether it was with food and drink (beer!), or just to sit and talk or walk around the garden. He understood that we are each better off communicating with one another than standing alone. He recognized that some of life's best moments are the simple ones. He also knew that education is a lifelong process, that it shouldn't stop when you graduate from high school or college, but that it should be a permanent fixture in your life. So many wise words from such a wise man...

And just for the record, I did take Anthropology and Geography in college, and you know what? Granddad was right, there is much to learn about our fellow homo sapiens, and so much more we still don't know. 

Love you Granddad, I hope there's lots of beer in Heaven! 

XOXO

Only one step away

Recently I heard this quote, on a TV movie but that's neither here nor there right?, about being one step away...

"We are all one step away from what we want and what we deserve."

I got to thinking, what does that mean? What does 'one step away' really signify?

Personally, I think everyone has that one thing that might be holding them back - whether it is something big like a job decision or God forbid a life-threatening operation or something small like asking a girl out on a date or deciding to go to a party. Any one of these things could essentially open the floodgates to changing our lives and getting what we want.

Oftentimes we can get caught up with our lives and only focus on the negative, the thing or things holding us back. It's so much easier to think of things we need to still do or get done or accomplish rather than the things we already have done or things we should be proud of having accomplished. We really could use some good positive thinking movements - ones like these quotes, ones that make us think, "I can get there, I can do this/that!"

Let's start today.

Think of something you want. Now, think of what you need to get there. Now break that down into small steps, and think of the first one.

That is your one step.

One step, taken in stride, taken with time, can lead to many steps. And thus many accomplishments. :)

Positivity my friends, it's powerful stuff!!

There is Nothing You Can't Do

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the long hiatus! Things got crazy after I got a job last year! Yay! I started working at a local college in Boston in Admissions and love it. Definitely something new and exactly what I was looking for, and I was excited for the change!

Now after working there for 1 year, and getting ENGAGED finally!, and starting my first Master's in Education graduate class, and putting all my demons behind me, I feel like I am finally at a point where I am not controlled by anyone or anything or any ideal that isn't worth it. I keep thinking - I must be healthy and happy so I can be the best person I can be, and make others realize they are worth the happiness too.

Something changed this year for me - something I can't exactly explain, or put into words, which is hard for me normally since words are kinda my thing...But I know that something finally CLICKED with me...

I learned I am worth it

I learned life is not and should never be that stressful

I learned that it is absolutely okay, in fact necessary, to laugh and enjoy the day

I learned that things will happen in due time, you just must be patient

I learned that you must act kindly to others, for who knows what sort(s) of demons they struggle with

I learned sass is a good thing to have :) 

I learned there is nothing I can't do!

Stay strong always, stay open, stay happy, and stay focused. You will get to where you want to be if you believe enough, if you pray enough, if you seek help enough, and if you try as hard as you possibly can.

Never give up, because there is nothing, I mean nothing!, you can't do.

Stay strong, and carry on!