Well, folks, I did it. After surviving a relentless marathon of diapers, deadlines, and database errors, I am finally standing at the finish line: college graduation. But before I trip over this metaphorical cap and gown and launch myself face-first into the job market, let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer madness of getting here.
The Juggle Was Real
Attending college as a full-time parent, employee, and spouse is like trying to juggle chainsaws while riding a unicycle… on a tightrope… over a pit of LEGOs. Some nights, I questioned my sanity. Other nights, I was too sleep-deprived to question anything at all.
Picture this: writing a final research paper while a toddler screams because their sock “feels weird,” fielding work emails between changing diapers, and attempting to explain subnetting concepts to your spouse, who was just trying to ask what’s for dinner. My ability to multitask has reached levels that should qualify as an Olympic sport.
Academic Anxiety vs. Real-World Chaos
My professors worried about things like “late assignment submissions” and “group project deadlines.” Cute. Meanwhile, I was out here dodging real-world disasters like a mysterious stomach bug tearing through my household the night before finals or a last-minute work crisis landing in my inbox just as I was about to take an exam.
Oh, and let’s not forget the constant inner monologue of impostor syndrome whispering, “What if I forgot how to be a student?” or, my personal favorite, “What if my classmates realize I’m old enough to remember dial-up internet?”
The Degree is Secured. Now What?
Now that I have my diploma in one hand (and a coffee in the other, obviously), it’s time for the Great Job Hunt. As someone who has mastered handling a screaming toddler in one arm while typing out a work email with the other, I feel overqualified for any job requiring “strong multitasking skills.”
Recruiters, listen up: I’ve survived three years of school, work, and parenting. That means I can problem-solve on zero sleep, manage time like a magician, and handle “high-pressure situations” without breaking a sweat.
I’m not just looking for a job—I’m looking for an employer who appreciates that I’m basically a productivity superhero.
Wrapping It Up
If you’re a fellow parent-student-employee-spouse hybrid, just know that YOU CAN DO THIS. It won’t be pretty. You may cry into your coffee more times than you can count. But when you walk across that stage, you’ll know that you earned that degree like a warrior.
As for me? I’m off to polish my resume, drink another cup of caffeine, and prepare for my next challenge: convincing hiring managers that I’m just as good at IT as I am at navigating toddler meltdowns and fixing Wi-Fi issues at the same time.
Wish me luck!
Add comment
Comments