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This blog is made for those who are currently Capella Learners, aspiring Capella Learners, or those who are interested in online learning. Enjoy the personal issues, dilemmas, and triumphs of a Capella Learner who is obtaining an advanced degree and managing to balance her personal life. Jayna Butler is a Masters Learner within the Human Services program at Capella University. She loves to read, write, and spend valuable time with her daughter. This blog gives her an opportunity to share her thoughts and feelings with online students.
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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are known for caring deeply and actively for education. This Seattle-based foundation saw fit to award three school districts and one charter school, grants ranging from 40-100 million dollars, to promote effective teaching methods and professional training. Memphis City School system is among the lowest graded public school system in Tennessee, but with a $90,000,000 grant, Memphis can recruit and and reward effective teachers to raise the score. Eighty-three percent of the 109,000 students that attend the Memphis City Schools are eligible for free lunches; that is the biggest percentage out of the schools awarded the grants. As you may or may not know, Memphis City School is mostly African American students. As a product of the Memphis City School system, I can honestly say that help couldn't come at a better time. Memphis' educational system surely needs teachers with great technological knowledge and implement methods that will keep students engaged, interested, and longing for more learning. This is what can carry over in their post-secondary goals. Students want to learn and feel like their teachers care about their future. But it starts at home. Parents have to be more responsible for their children's education. And since students are away for 8 hours of the day with one or more teachers, those hours have to have stimulation and creativity involved. When graduation arrives, these students will have established meaningful mentorships and connections, and feel empowered. I am sooo happy the Gates Foundation have sent a blessing to my city. I hope to see our children grow and become fruitful citizens of Memphis and this country. For more on this great story, visit: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/11/19/13gates.h29.html?tkn=QVSFg34gg06FK2R5AIL%2F7xEzBGjTtSW1YVJ%2B
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Oh, the song of Pomp & Circumstance is bellowing from the orchestra pit. Your family and friends have traveled across the state(s) to come see receive an honor. You see your mom with her tissue dotting the tears, as she waves at you from the seats. You have newly creased and crisp black robe with your tassel flipping in and out of your eyes that are probably filled with tears. Not because you're happy that you have finished years of academic study, internships, or studying abroad, but because you have not received not one single interview out of the thousands of jobs you've applied for in the past 6 months! CNNMoney.com, one of my sources for business, educational, and economical affairs of this country, has a story that will probably light your fire if you are a college graduate of 2009-2010. New college grads have had 40% fewer job opportunities and offers, but 2010 may be a little lighter. Good news for the PhD, jobs for you are projected to jump 20%, makes me re-think the doctoral process?? (just kidding) MBAs? You are looking bright too with job opportunities rising up to 11%! It seems like to me is that the jobs will exist for those with advanced degrees. Because most of these projections are targeting the advanced credentials and up, which is not a bad thing. Most of us who took advantage of the downturn and went back to school are two steps ahead of the game. Consulting services, food service, environmental services, nonprofit sectors are projected to come up in a good way. So, human service professionals? It's looking kinda good for us you guys! Champagne and Jobs for everyone!!!!  For the full story, feel free to read: http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/17/news/economy/college_graduates_jobs/index.htm
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Today, I had plans to sit down and read my materials. That went totally out the window when I got home from work. I did the laundry, gave my little diva a bath and watch television with her, watch TV with the hubby for a while, talked to my mother on the phone and hear her ramble, and fixed dinner for the family. I am exhausted and it's 9:33pm. My daughter is in the bed and I'm in mine's. Where are my books, you might ask? In the family room stashed in my Capella University duffle bag that was sent to me Spring quarter of this year. I have such an issue this quarter, with motivation and that's why I know it's because the end is near. I mean it's been 2 good years and now the end of the journey gets hard, because when the storm hits. Your mind is on everything but the right thing. Graduates of masters and the Phd's, do you get my drift or is it just me? For some reason, I didn't feel this way senior year in undergrad. I was so motivated to graduate, it didn't make sense on how ready I was! But now, I guess since I have more responsibilities, it's been pretty tough. I just cannot keep my momentum going. I even put it on my calendar, "Jay read chapters 12-13". My hubby stopped and got dinner and I cooked it. Now I am knocking on the door of dreamland. It's crazy how that is. So my question to graduates of Master programs and Doctoral programs, am I living a fantasy world? Being lazy? Is my lack of motivation normal? With 3 weeks to go, what can I do as a student to rev myself up? I gotta get it together... Happy Learning (or just try to be), JaynaB
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I've done my research proposal for my integrative project class. I was a little nervous when I submitted it. I have not yet received my grade, but I think it's going to pan out pretty well. These 3 weeks are going to be pretty hectic for me. I have to help head a career fair at my place of employment in January and I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited about the next phase of my life. My goals are far more than just professional. When I finish my degree I am looking forward to great success as far as health, life, and happiness. As a black woman, it's quite normal for a woman to get a relaxer for her hair. After my Masters, I plan on going straight natural. No more relaxers. Next thing, I will get for real about my weight loss, I will have more time to designate to the upkeep of my body. Maybe have another baby? I don't know but the skies are definitely the limit. Devote more time to community activities, since the summer of this year, I have decreased my involvement in the community because of the suicidal summer quarter I had (3 courses). Shoot, I could barely breathe during that time. I am looking forward to excelling at work. I'm pretty excited about it. Life is going to be much better after I'm done with Capella U. I know that people are expecting me to go straight into PhD, but I'm having true second thoughts. I commend those who do go straight in, but I have to be exactly sure that my professional goals will be met through the pursuit of that additional degree. I plan on traveling a bit more. I think this year I have had limited time to travel because of my break down of school and trying become employed earlier this year, but next year I will definitely take advantage of the time and really live. My husband is also looking forward to the end of my graduate career. I am really getting myself encouraged to devote my energy and motivation to the next 3 weeks or so. I'm going to start typing my papers and posting my discussions as soon as possible. Happy Learning, JaynaB
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In the past, I fell for my own impatience to jump into something without thinking first or even stopping to do just a little research. Not just academics, but in a lot of things. At the tender age of 26, I have to honestly say in the last 9 years or so, was definitely a progression for me, because I halfway didn't think before I did anything. The reason why I wrote this posting is because I have several clients at work who do not do any research before enrolling into academic degree programs. They just do it, because they need a quick degree or certificate, only to find out that they can't get a job simply because those degrees and certificates should come with experience (i.e, Criminal Justice and Medical Billing & Coding). One client of mine went to two different local career schools for 4 different things, Massage Therapy, Medical Office Professional, Medical Assistant, and did not complete Pharmacy Technician training. I am not going to tell you how much in dollars that she spent on those programs (in loans), let's just say she spent enough to get a Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D and another half of a Ph.D!!! But now she wants to go to hair school!!! Another client has a criminal record in Assault, but she found out that when she went to apply for nursing school, they ran her criminal background. Voila! She was rejected from nursing school for a background she knew she had. So all those pre-requisites and money spent was in vain. One lady I know, majored in a psychology program at an online that was not accredited by the American Psychological Association, she went to get her doctorate degree and was so disappointed (and if it were me, I would be sick to my stomach). She could not get licensed in her state because of the credential. She wanted to get mad at the school for NOT telling her? Huh??? So what am I trying to say? I think I have touched on this issue before a couple of months ago, that you must do research first before you jump into any academic program. Ask questions and if that enrollment advisor rushes you, then fall back? Not exactly, look at the school as hard as you can, if the price is decent, your degree will be respected and your chances of landing that job is pretty good, think long and hard. January is coming and many are thinking about taking that leap into the academic world of the unknown. But please do your research. Come on the site here and be educated, but the decision lies within. Check them out and see what happens! If your gut feeling says go for it, then it's probably a good thing. Best wishes & Happy Learning, JaynaB Wishing for the best!!
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