According to www.aauw.org, among Black students in higher education, women are more likely than men to earn degrees (Black women get 64.1% of bachelor’s degrees, 71.5% of master’s degrees and 65.9% of doctoral, medical, and dental degrees). With all that we endure as Black women, that’s definitely something to applaud, considering the fact that any level of education was once denied to women of color.
There will never be such a thing as too much education, so by all means, get educated and make the ancestors proud! But before you start filling out another FAFSA application, here are four things you should consider.
Are you pursuing higher education for the right reasons?
Doctorate degrees have become very in vogue these days. You would be surprised how many women pursue them for a “look”. There are dozens of people who have paid thousands of dollars to unaccredited schools all for the sake of having others think they’re “doctors” in some field of study. These people don’t know a thesis from a thimble, but have “Dr.” slapped in front of their names… Tragic.
In the words of Funky Dineva, you’re either going to pay on the front end, or the back end—and the embarrassment coupled with wasted time and money is too expensive, so you may as well buckle down and ditch the shortcuts to “success”.
The degree doesn’t guarantee more earning potential
Unfortunately, obtaining a doctoral degree will not start your salary at six figures, especially if you’re seeking it from an employer. Having credible work experience in the field is still a factor that hiring managers take into account, and depending on the profession you’re in, state licensure could be required. You may also have to pivot to entrepreneurship and/or provide services as a consultant in your respective field so that you can set your own prices.
You’ll need to identify your village
Bishop T.D. Jakes often teaches on preparing yourself for the next level. He says that we don’t necessarily need more time to achieve our goals—we need more structure. Have you evaluated your current priorities to determine who can help you lighten the load while you pursue your doctorate? For example, who can bring your child to dance class or football practice on the days you meet with your study group? Would having a maid service be beneficial to your family? Will you have to delegate your sorority duties to someone else for a few months? Do you need more spirituality and church fellowship to encourage you through the program? If you’ve been subconsciously alienating friends and family since the pandemic, repair those relationships so you don’t have to be a one-woman army.
Self-care has to be a priority
If you’re not taking care of your mind and body, the journey to accomplishing your doctorate will be hell on wheels. Ignoring the need to pamper yourself and schedule “me time” will increase your stress levels as a student, and cause you to turn in lackluster assignments. Self-care doesn’t have to result in spending tons of money at the spa; it just needs to keep you mentally stable. This can mean taking hour-long walks or meeting your girls to play UNO.
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