28 Years to an Undergrad!

I'm not exactly conventional and conforming in my approach to living. I am usually assessing my unique situation to determine a course that will successfully get me to my goal. I pay attention to and respect other people and their ideas and methods toward achievement. Then I tweak things so they work for me. So, while I have nearly always been soaking up as much knowledge and understanding as my brain can absorb on a given day, my personal circumstances and desires were not conducive to acquiring my bachelor's degree by the recommended method (i.e. graduate from high school, enroll in college, and emerge 4 years later with a bachelor's degree.) Sounds simple enough, but at the time that I graduated from high school this just didn't work for me, so I pursued what I believed would, and, in fact, did work. I left home and entered the workforce.

I possess a very strong value for education acquired through any and all sources of learning -- pretty much every person, place, thing, or experience. I have never believed that the greatest lessons or the most extensive learning, are gleaned from the traditional American classroom. For example, my moving about 250 miles away from my home (with $10. and a tank of gas) just after my 18th birthday provided an ideal forum for invaluable education in the areas of practical life and economics among other character-building aspects. Nine days later I began my first career in the field of Ocean Transportation as a lowly, albeit; proud manifest clerk where I proceeded to learn more about geography and social studies from my on-the-job experience than I had throughout my 12 years of formal classroom education on these subjects. Apparently, I learn by doing because I distinctly recall drawing maps of Africa on the bottom of my flip-flops to pass my geography final in the 8th grade since I just couldn't stay awake in the class. My Maritime experience, however; led me to an insatiable interest in the world's cultural differences including everything from foods, languages, values and beliefs, political structures, religions, to weather, landscapes, agriculture, industries, currencies, social and economic positions, and relationships.

Now, never let it be said that I did not begin college upon completing high school in 1981, for I most certainly did. I wanted to be an English professor. As I became more knowledgeable of transportation and  world trade, I came to think that I should pursue a degree in Transportation Management. Several years  and a few promotions later I figured International Business was probably more fitting. Then I made a major leap into real estate sales and marketing which meant I was an entrepreneur and needed some accounting, finance and marketing courses. Soon after that I married a man who had previously been married and had a toddler. Wanting to be the best possible stepmother on the planet, I turned toward human development. Ironically, the child's mother hated my guts.   When I say "hate," I mean this woman loathed my very existence. Desperately attempting to gain a better understanding of how one human being could possess so much jealousy, self-absorption and preconceived notions that seemed to lead her to something between insane and pure evil behavior, I rushed into the social sciences. So vigorously did I pursue all things of the human mind that when I went for my pre-graduation review, the counselor couldn't readily assess whether I was graduating from the behavioral science department or the business department. I should note that when I had my own daughter all formal studies ceased for nearly a decade as a whole new level of learning ensued. Then all of a sudden...BAM! I graduated -- just 28 years after I had begun.
                                                       
Ultimately, here's when and how I became complete. In January of 2008 I walked into the university, sat down and told the counselor that I intended to complete my degree in the shortest possible period of time for the least amount of money. We got all of my transcripts together from multiple colleges, and I had her sign off on the credits that the university would accept. She suggested an accelerated program wherein each core course was completed in five weeks. I looked it over, signed on, finished up 14 months later, and walked in my graduation. Why walk at age 47? Because it had been 28 years! See the proof?

3.91 GPA with Magna Cum Laude Honors

                                                                 

Now here's what's really important to note out of this experience. I've been an eager student all my life. I mean to say that learning is something I make a point of doing every, single day. I've got a friend who says, "College education is wasted on the young." Since I did college from the time I was age 18 through age 47, I think I understand what he means by that. College is expensive compared with other means for learning -- on the job, reading, seminars, mastermind groups, volunteer projects, making poor choices, encountering adversity, playing games, going to church, public transportation, travel, cooking, hunting, hiking, scouting, sports, gardening, the arts, museums, festivals, and all of the other ways in which we acquire knowledge and education.  The only source for my education that I have found to be more expensive than college is parenting. Now, I am by no means suggesting that folks ought to take up my "28 years to an undergrad" plan. What my friend says rings true for me in that as I grew and matured, my learning in the college classroom became much more extensive, and, therefore; less expensive. So it wasn't that teachers in my earlier years were any less qualified or good at their jobs. It was that my own knowledge base and life experience became deeper and richer with each passing day. As my life progresses so does my mind expand. I have increasingly better internal resources to fully grasp and readily relate and apply course content, and I bet this goes on forever for those who want it which is really exciting and also supports my friend's conclusion that as we age we are able to better balance the exorbitant costs for college through maximizing our gain of education. At least that's what I think he means by his statement, "College education is wasted on the young." And, in that context, I agree.

I began with thoughts of the conventional, recommended path to obtaining a college degree. The purpose for the conventional approach is to become gainfully employed -- just ask any high school counselor.  So we are advised to graduate high school, follow with college enrollment, and choose a major that leads to gainful employment upon completion which is to be 8 semesters later when we are about age 22. It does work -- for some.  My college education was for the purpose of acquiring knowledge -- not employment. When I wanted employment I sought it through employers first then used my continuous college studies and learning to work my way into progressively higher positions in the workplace and greater income-producing opportunities.  I have never regretted that choice for myself, nor do I believe it is right for everyone. It is critical to note that my professional interests center on business as opposed to medicine and the like.

Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management (May, 2009)

                                                                                                                                              
Learning and education opportunities are ever-present for the taking for every person, every moment, of every day. To live is to learn, and I intend to continue to capitalize on the efficiency of this notion. The education gained during my 28-year journey to a bachelor's degree, while of value and significance to me, pales in comparison to all that I've learned and continue to learn outside of formal education.

                           "I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma."
                            ~Ertha Kitt