https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:10:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/higher-ed-and-working-moms#post-2911681 Thu, 12 Mar 2020 11:45:35 +0000 DesertDreams88 2911681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got my masters online while working 50-60 hours a week, but no kids. I blocked off every Sunday for 5-6 hours to do my work. As long as you had good boundaries and a helpful partner / childcare options, it could work. For me, I personally only took one class at a time, and I think that was really important as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/higher-ed-and-working-moms#post-2911678 Thu, 12 Mar 2020 11:25:06 +0000 Mommy Finger 2911678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One other thing to think about is your field and where you get your degree. I say this b/c I know there are certain fields where you need to get the degree from a certain level of university or no one will take you seriously and it will sometimes be wasted time/money. I don't know much about IT so it probably won't be the case but know that was the case for some of the programs that DH was looking into. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/higher-ed-and-working-moms#post-2911675 Thu, 12 Mar 2020 10:54:17 +0000 macintosh 2911675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skiierchck99: thanks! Online is definitely what I need.</p> <p>@crazydoglady: I’m looking at WGU for IT. How did you complete it so fast? I’m interest to know if I can accelerate due to my relevant experience.</p> <p>@lindseykaye: that’s awesome! I’m thinking this may be the best way to secure my financial future for my family. I see how hard my mom works in her 60s (she had a PhD) but she makes good money.</p> <p>@Mommy Finger: thanks!!</p> <p>@Pollywog: I’ll be paying/getting financial aid. It would be course based (IT). The program I’m considering seriously is self paced online and I’d have really manage my time.</p> <p>Im getting excited about this plan 😃 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/higher-ed-and-working-moms#post-2911656 Thu, 12 Mar 2020 08:17:39 +0000 Pollywog 2911656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have seriously considered it. A few questions:</p> <p>-will you pay for it or will work?<br /> -is it a research based program or a course based one?<br /> - is it full or part-time?<br /> -classroom or in person?</p> <p>I could have easily done my masters part time while working full time with kids. All of my classes were night classes and it was only 2 nights a week. There was no research requirement-- I had a thesis, but it was a finite limit to completion.</p> <p>My husband could not have done his master's with kids. He did it while working full time, but he spent years at the lab trying to find a publishable project. He really regretted not going to a class based program.</p> <p>I tried an online grad school while pregnant and working full time. I refused to finish because the instruction was so horrible. My colleagues have had similar experiences. They are willing to put in sacrifices if they're learning a lot and they feel it's worthwhile, but their BS meter is high. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/higher-ed-and-working-moms#post-2911652 Thu, 12 Mar 2020 07:36:58 +0000 Mommy Finger 2911652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't done it but one of my girlfriends did it online when she worked for an online university. So it was part of her benefits package. She did it nights and weekends while working FT with two kids and said it was hard work but not too bad. </p> <p>I actually didn't realize that my dad got his MBA while we were growing up. It just took him 12 years. Back then, they didn't have online classes!</p> <p>When DH was having a career crisis a few years ago, I was encouraging him to go back to school to get his MBA or another degree but he was too scared to do it bc he felt he had no time with his FT job and our 2 kids. I told him that I would absolutely support him and pick up the slack around the house if it meant he would have a career he loved and that it would be a ST pain for a LT gain. At the time, I thought we probably watched a bit too much tv at night but looking back, I realized he needed that time to unwind. I guess what I mean by saying all of this is that you have to figure out if it's worth it to you and if you're able to handle managing all of it. And you'll need to make sure that you'll have your DH ready to help pick up some of the slack. Sounds like you have your mom there too. I say go for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/higher-ed-and-working-moms#post-2911648 Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:46:34 +0000 lindseykaye 2911648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did an online master's degree program while working FT when DD1 was between 2-4 yrs old. DH also worked FT out of the house when I was in school. It was hard work, but mostly done after she was in bed, or early weekend mornings and nap times.</p> <p>My employer has a great tuition assistance program for relevant courses, so that was a big incentive. The way I thought about it most though was that yeah, it's going to be a lot of effort and sacrifice but time would move along anyway - and I might as well just start it and be working towards my goal along with it. Life has only gotten busier and my degree has given me such excellent experience and opportunities. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/higher-ed-and-working-moms#post-2911642 Wed, 11 Mar 2020 21:57:27 +0000 crazydoglady 2911642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>macintosh: I'm in education, so it might be a bit different, but I got my master's degree online through WGU. It took me six months to complete it and mostly worked on it after bedtime (when DS was about a year old) and here and there on the weekends. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/higher-ed-and-working-moms#post-2911640 Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:49:38 +0000 skiierchck99 2911640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@macintosh: I finished my masters between April 2018 and June 2019 after having daughter in February 2018. It was hard but I feel like it would be harder now - I’m more worn out by the two year old battles (then again, I’m also pregnant). 5 might be easier but I don’t really know yet! My program was all online which was so crucial for me after she was born. Also a factor - my husband works like 70 hours a week so is not able to help a lot during the weekdays; you might find it easier if your workloads are more equitable</p> <p>Oh - edited to add I work in higher ed administration which is what I got my masters in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/higher-ed-and-working-moms#post-2911638 Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:40:00 +0000 macintosh 2911638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone have experience studying in a masters or PhD people while working full time as a parent? I’m seriously considering a masters program in my field. </p> <p>DS is almost 5, DH is disabled but he’s home to provide after school care next year. We live with my mom who also works full time. My job is pretty low stress most of the time. My mom went to grad school after she had 2 kids (but not working full time) and she’s for it.</p> <p>If you have any success/horror stories to tell or tips to share please do. </p>